Las Vegas Strip Headliners Come Together for One Special Performance for NF Hope
Frankie Moreno, Human Nature, Cast members from ABSINTHE, JERSEY BOYS & more perform at Third Annual NF Hope Concert Oct. 20 at The Venetian
On Sunday, Oct. 20, The Strip’s most engaging headliners will shine their star power on the fight against Neurofibromatosis at the Third Annual NF Hope Concert. Performers from across The Strip’s stages will come together at The Venetian Showroom for a one-day-only performance benefitting the NF Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to families and individuals with neurofibromatosis, more commonly known as NF. A portion of the proceeds will also go to the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (NVCCF) in their support of local families touched by NF. The Third Annual NF Hope Concert will feature performances by some of the biggest names in Las Vegas as well as an impressive silent auction. Tickets are on sale now and prices start at $45. They are available by calling any Venetian/Palazzo box office at 702-414-9000, or online at www.Venetian.com.
The star-studded concert will include performances by Frankie Moreno, Human Nature, Clint Holmes and Kelly Clinton, ABSINTHE’s “Green Fairy” Melody Sweets, cast members from JERSEY BOYS, ROCK OF AGES, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and many more. Joey Dowling from FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” will present a piece created for the Troupe, a local dance competition team. There will also be special performances by two talented performers living with NF. This year’s silent auction items include tickets to Celine Dion, Shania Twain, JERSEY BOYS, ROCK OF AGES, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, show memorabilia, restaurant certificates, spa certificates and much more.
The concert, produced by JERSEY BOYS star Jeff Leibow with Neil Miller and Pat Caddick as consulting producers from The Chimaera Group, is inspired by Leibow’s daughter Emma, who was diagnosed with NF at the age of nine months. NF is a genetic disorder of the nervous system that results in a mutation on a gene that normally suppresses tumor growth. This allows for tumors to grow on any nerve in the body without warning. Leibow and his wife Melody conceived the idea for the concert upon the realization that they had an obligation to their family and the 100,000 people living with NF to educate more people about the disorder.
“Despite all our prayers and wishes that Emma might stay untouched by this disorder, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January. It is a horrible, frightening thing to hear about your child, but our fears have only fueled our wish to do everything we can to make a difference in the fight against NF,” said Leibow.
NF is one of the most common genetic disorders and affects more than 100,000 Americans, making it more common than cystic fibrosis, hereditary muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s disease and Tay Sachs combined. Despite its commonality, the disorder struggles to get federal support every year.
“Since 1996, advocacy has provided most of the research money for neurofibromatosis, and we are doing everything we can to keep that going. Since its inception in 2011, NF Hope has raised nearly $50,000 for NF Network, a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with neurofibromatosis. It is still our dream to see NF Hope become a national organization producing concerts all over the US. For now we are focused on continuing to make this concert a staple in Las Vegas with the hope of making a difference in Emma’s life and the lives of the more than 100,000 people living with NF in the US alone,” Leibow added.
The Third Annual NF Hope Concert will take place on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Sands Showroom at The Venetian Las Vegas. The show begins at 1 p.m., and the lobby will open at 11:45 a.m. for the silent auction. Ticket prices range from $45 – $60 plus tax and service charges. To purchase tickets, call the Venetian/Palazzo Box Office at 702-414-9000 or visit www.Venetian.com.
About Jeff Leibow:
Jeff Leibow came to Las Vegas as one of the original cast members of JERSEY BOYS and continues to get rave reviews for his portrayal of Nick Massi five years later. Before JERSEY BOYS, Jeff performed in professional theaters all over the country garnering award nominations for many of his roles. Here in Las Vegas, he has made giving back to the community a priority, involving himself with every charity event and benefit concert he can fit into his schedule. Since 2009 his daughter has become the top priority as has raising awareness of NF. http://jeffleibow.com
About NF Network:
Neurofibromatosis (NF) Inc. was established in 1990 and is the leading organization supporting the education, awareness and research through advocacy to help find a cure for NF. You can find more information about Neurofibromatosis, Inc. at www.nfnetwork.org or by calling the office at 630-510-1115.
About NF Hope:
Founded by Jeff Leibow and his wife, Melody, NF Hope was created to produce fundraising events in the Las Vegas Area to support the efforts of all NF charities. The premier event is the Annual NF Hope Concert. Since its inception, NF Hope has raised nearly $50,000 for Neurofibromatosis research and advocacy efforts. For more information about NF Hope, or to stay up to date on upcoming events, please visit http://nfhope.org or follow us on Twitter @vegasnfbenefit.
About Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation:
Established in 1993, the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers programs and services for critically ill children and their families living in Southern Nevada. The foundation’s mission is to work side by side with the medical community to provide social, emotional, educational, financial and psychological support services and programs to families of ALL children diagnosed with a life-threatening or critical illness such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell, hemophilia, renal disorders, neurofibromatosis and other immunologic diseases as well as to adults touched by cancer. Contact the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation at 702-735-8434 or visit them at www.nvccf.org for pediatric services and www.thecaringplacenv.org for services for adults touched by cancer.
About the NF Hope Concert Volunteers:
The Las Vegas community has reached out to help in making this Concert happen! There are many more opportunities to become involved, and all are welcome!
