When Jeff and Melody Leibow founded the NF Hope Concert in 2011, they dreamed it would be held numerous cities across the country. On May 8 in front of a full house at SubCulture, the first step towards that reality came to fruition with New York City’s inaugural NF Hope Concert.

“It was a big step to go from Las Vegas to New York City,” said Jeff Leibow, producer and Director of Development for the concerts, “but with our ties to the Broadway community, we thought it had the potential to be a big success.”

The Leibows founded the NF Hope Concert soon after their daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis seven years ago. Struck by the reality that there was very little they could do for Emma clinically outside consistent monitoring, they set out to create an event to raise awareness in addition to driving funds to NF Network to support their patient advocacy programs. The concerts have raised nearly $500,000 over the last six years.

The New York event featured rising Broadway stars, including Tony Award nominee Mary Callanan (from Mama Mia, currently in Bandstand), The Doo Wop Project (with Tony Nominee Charl Brown, Russell Fischer, Dwayne Milan, Devon Goffman, Dominic Scaglione Jr.), Chad Kimball (Tony Award nominee, Memphis, currently starring in the multi-Tony nominated Come From Away), Laurel Harris (Beautiful, In Transit, Wicked), Rob Marnell (Beautiful, Jersey Boys), Aaron Ramey (The Bridges Of Madison County, Curtains, Young Frankenstein), Nasia Thomas (Beautiful) and Tiffan Borelli-Urken (co-starring on the current season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit).

“The New York event was a magical evening,” Jeff said. “To see it all come together with so many amazingly talented performers in front of such a supportive audience was more than we could have dreamed.”

The night raised over $12,000, a solid start for a new market. More importantly, with the help of PR and marketing firm Two Sheps That Pass, the event made an impact in New York with coverage from some online outlets like Deadline Hollywood, Playbill.com, and BroadwayWorld.com, and more.

“The notice this event got in the New York press will not only set the stage for a successful event next year, but it will open the door in more markets like Chicago, Nashville, Los Angeles and one day, maybe even international markets,” Jeff said.

Leibow is already in discussions with SubCulture for New York City’s 2nd Annual NF Hope Concert, and with the momentum from this year’s concert, it will continue to grow.

Until then, the popular Las Vegas event continues. Las Vegas’ 7th Annual NF Hope Concert will be held Sunday, October 22 at 1:00 PM in The Venetian | The Palazzo. Keep an eye out for ticket information later this summer!

...and watch for the upcoming announcement of our next market in the coming weeks!