By Jeff Friedman
Editor’s Note: This week, Jeff, Friedman, founder and CEO of Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI), writes, in his own words, about the organization’s recent fundraising event, “Uncle Floyd Live!”
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It took a township to stage LPI’s “Uncle Floyd Live!” performance on Saturday night. Floyd crushed it with his comedy and “barrelhouse” piano performance when the Presbyterian Church of Livingston became the “PCL Performing Arts Center” for the evening.
A highly engaged audience from Living-ston, surrounding towns and other states attended in the pouring rain.
LPI volunteer Alan Wishengrad said, “Great show. Laughed from beginning to end. It was nice to take a step back in time.”
Claire Duffy added, “Such a nice night,” while Michele Florio-Campisi effused, “A wonderful night full of laughter” and Deputy Mayor Al Anthony commented, “Great show, thanks for all you do!”
LPI’s successful fundraising event was all about the work of Living-ston residents, whose contributions provided services and support for the show.
Livingston Lions Club, through member and past president Nalit Patel made a generous contribution through ticket purchases; Karen Friedman and Denise Florio Glynn staffed the lobby ticket table; George Banzhaf provided facility set-up and maintenance; Michele Florio-Campisi operated the spotlight; LPI volunteer Alan Levin supervised the installation of promotional signage; Pastor Dan Martian had the PCL Performing Arts Center vision; and Karen Trachtenberg created our beautiful “Uncle Floyd Live!” graphic design. I produced the show with my partner, West Essex Tribune publisher Jenny Chciuk, who also provided comprehensive promotional support.
We are already thinking about a fall follow-up live performance at PCL to benefit LPI. Preliminarily, I can envision a high-energy fiddling and acoustic show, but one never knows what the creative team of Martian, Chciuk and Friedman may conjure sup over the summer months. Stay tuned, Livingston.
Photos: Above, Uncle Floyd Vivino played the old-time tunes at Saturday night’s “Uncle Floyd Live!” performance at the Presbyterian Church of Livingston’s PCL Performing Arts Center. Below, LPI founder and show producer Jeff Friedman, a Livingston resident of 65 years, opened Saturday night’s event, while Livingston resident Michele Florio-Campisi ran the spotlight.
