Attend NF Hope Concert benefit at Metropolis
The NF Hope Concert hits the Windy City once again with its second annual benefit concert at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7. The annual benefit has celebrated eight successful years on the Las Vegas Strip and two years on the Great White Way in New York City.
Benefit organizer Jeff Leibow, who originated the role of Nick Massi in "Jersey Boys" Las Vegas, will unite the entertainment community and bring together talent from across the Chicago area to raise money and awareness for the Neurofibromatosis Network, a Chicago area nonprofit dedicated to families and individuals suffering from neurofibromatosis (NF).
Tickets are on sale and start at $44. Tickets can be purchased online at http://nfhopech19.givesmart.com.
This year's event will feature performances by Steppenwolf veteran Dan Tatar, Gavin Coyle, Jeff Leibow and others, all accompanied by "Jersey Boys" musician Kara Kesselring.
In addition to an evening of music and advocacy, the NF Hope Concert will honor Dr. Robert Listernick from Lurie Children's Hospital with the Advocate of Hope Award for his work and research on the disorder.
"Last year's Chicago concert exceeded everyone's expectations," said Jeff Leibow, director of Development for NF Hope Concerts and board of directors member, Neurofibromatosis Network.
"This year we're excited and honored to have the ability to continue to raise awareness through our love of live performance, especially in the home of the NF Network."
Since the inaugural event in Las Vegas in 2011, the NF Hope Concert has continued to grow exponentially, now having three annual events throughout the country and raising more than $750,000 for the NF Network. The inaugural Chicago benefit concert raised $50,000 alone for neurofibromatosis research and advocacy.
Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder of the nervous system characterized by tumors that can grow on any nerve in the body without warning. Leibow's young daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with this condition in 2010 when she was just 9 months old.
As Leibow and his wife, Melody, learned more about the disorder's devastating effects, they conceived the idea for the concert with the realization that they had an obligation to both their family and the 128,000 people living with neurofibromatosis to educate others about the disorder.
Although neurofibromatosis is a common genetic disorder, most people are not aware that one in 2,500 people are born with it, making it more common than cystic fibrosis, hereditary muscular dystrophy, Huntington's disease and Tay Sachs combined.
The NF Hope Concert also features a silent auction including experiences, vacation packages to both the Las Vegas and New York NF Hope Concerts, ticket packages to Chicago's top theaters, restaurant packages and numerous other Chicago items featuring local hotels, jewelers and more.
Access to the silent auction began Monday, April 1, with registration being available at http://nfhopech19.givesmart.com. The auction will open for viewing at 1:30 p.m. on the day of the event.
For information on NF Hope, visit www.nfhope.org. Follow NF Hope on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A select number of VIP tickets are available. VIP tickets include exclusive gifts, sponsor recognition and prime seating at the April 7 event.
The 2019 NF Hope Concert in Chicago is sponsored by Tito's Vodka and Lurie Children's Hospital.