Weekend Happenings: Rob Thomas, Lighthouse Birthday, Celebrating MLK

Sidewalk Angels Foundation rings in its 10th anniversary by returning to Borgata's Music Box this weekend for a third consecutive year of benefit shows featuring Rob Thomas this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The nonprofit organization was founded by Matchbox Twenty front-man Thomas and his wife, Marisol.

This weekend's shows are sold out. “The first year was supposed to be a one-off,” says Marisol. “But the Borgata offered us the yearly spot. It’s wonderful: My husband gets to do what he loves to do, and we get to raise a great amount of money and awareness for our foundation.”

The upcoming intimate, acoustic shows will feature Thomas performing a range of hits from his Matchbox Twenty and solo runs as well as covers. He describes the shows as “singer-songwriter-storyteller events; a shared moment with a small group of people. I’m also getting ready to start back in the solo world, so it’s good to get back to some of these songs.”

Money raised will benefit New York-based Sidewalk Angels, an umbrella organization that provides funds and resources for grassroots causes ranging from no-kill animal shelters/animal rescue centers and childhood health and wellness organizations to the fight against homelessness. Marisol has been involved in animal rescue since the age of 10. Rob connected with her lifelong passion, having witnessed the effects of animal neglect growing up in rural Florida.

This article first appeared on Billboard.com.

Here's a look at the rest of the South Jersey Weekend Happenings...

- Atlantic City: Caesars, Comic Ron White, Fri. 1/16

- Atlantic City: Harrah's, Chaka Khan, Sat. 1/17

- Atlantic City: Resorts, Chubby Checker, Sat. 1/17

- Atlantic City: Tropicana, Natalie Cole, Sat. 1/17

- Atlantic City: Boardwalk Hall, All-Stars of Hip-Hop, Sun. 1/18

- Cape May: Ferry Beer Flight Dinner, Cape May-Lewis Ferry 5-course dinner cruise, co-sponsored by Cape May Brewery, Fri. 1/16 @5:30pm, 800-643-3779

- Margate: The Tighe School presents 'Mulan Jr', Fri. 1/16 @ 7pm & Sat. 1/17 @ 1pm, Margate PAC, Tighe School, 7804 Amherst Ave.

- Atlantic City: Absecon Lighthouse's 158th Birthday party, Sat. 1/17 11a-3:30p

- Wildwood: Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics N.J., Sat. 1/17 @1pm, Convention Center beach

- Avalon: 'LOL 4 Zoo' comedy fundraiser, Princeton Bar, Sat. 1/17 @ 6:30 to 9pm, benefiting Cape May Zoo

- Ocean City: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, O.C.H.School  PAC, Sat. 1/17 @ 1pm, 609-399-6111 # 9711

- Pleasantville: MLK Birthday Celebration, sponsored by National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Hibachi Grill, 4405 Black Horse Pike, Sat. 1/17 from 11a-4p, 609-645-2239

- Tuckahoe: Benefit 'Snow Ball Dinner Dance', L's Restaurant, Sat. 1/17 from 6-10pm

- Somers Point: South Jersey Jazz Society presents the Willerm Deslisfort Quintet, Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, Sat. 1/17

- Ventnor: Pre-MLK Day of service Clean-up, Sun. 1/18 11a-2p, cleaning up the bay area along Wellington Ave, South Jersey Surfrider Foundation