Frani Stone News

It was an early-bird very special event in Florida yesterday as The Footlighters Club of South Florida honored their President Errol Dante who was celebrating his 80th birthday.  Many spoke in praise of entertainer Errol who in addition to having a long a successful career in show business has also dedicated his time and efforts to senior entertainers who benefit from the charity of the Footlighters club.  

We headed out on I95 but my mind superimposed Rt 17 in New York State. The signs advertising Medical Facilities, Orthopedic Surgeons, and The Hard Rock Casino became the Billboards for Grossingers, The Concord, and Browns Hotel. Freddie Roman, creator and star of Catskills on Broadway and comic superstar was going to receive the Footlighters Club's Shecky Greene Lifetime Achievement Award at Miami Shores Country Club. Getting such an award is usually a momentous solemn ritual, but when 7 of your fellow comedians will be toasting and honoring you the event becomes a room that is filled with the most amount of laughter on the planet.

It was all about the love that Paul Anka has for sharing his music with audiences and the love those audiences have for him at The Kravis Center last night.

 Last night at the legendary Le Cirque, Gianni Russo dropped his tough guy image and created a musical fun filled evening.  The Cafe was packed and Gianni with his 4 piece band created a fantastic party as he went through the Sinatra American Songbook. Some of his celebrity friends were "coaxed" by Gianni to join in. Although remembered most for his portrayal of Carlo Rizzi in "The Godfather", his first acting job, his career has spanned over 40 films including such hits as The Freshman, Rush Hour, Any Given Sunday and Sea Biscuit as well as television roles in Kojak, The Rockford Files and Prison Break. And most recent.. due out this fall "Send No Flowers". Russo believes it's his crooning that separates him from the mob of other on-screen wise guys. 

An Evening With Steve Tyrell was presented by the Friars Club last night and the Grammy and Emmy Award winning artist and producer had a chair named in his honor in the legendary Frank Sinatra Dinning Room. Check out photos from the event below!

I don't think that there has ever been a person that has been in the Friars club who has not shared a laugh or left the Monastery not smiling. That in itself is a huge accomplishment, but the Friars do so much more than entertain themselves and enjoy their camaraderie. The Friars Club's Sunshine Committee (Tom DeBow chairman) is to the Friars Club what Ronald McDonald House is to McDonald's-they bring a ray of sunshine to those who need it most!