Teaneck Film Festival Gala to Benefit Local Pantries

The following was submitted by the Teaneck International Film Festival: 

Thanks to major sponsorship by the Marriott at Glenpointe and its recently opened Pancetta restaurant, TIFF 2012 will officially begin Thursday, Nov. 8, with a grand ballroom concert:Cinema & Song by world renowned singing stars Vivian Sessoms and Clinton Daniel.

The kick-off at the Marriott will begin at 7 p.m. with the Red Carpet hosted by Sandi Klein, former WINS anchor, and Anthony Johnson, ABC-News.  The gala will continue with light refreshments, a cash bar, and the chance to mingle with friends and film folks and will culminate with entertainment by these two world-class performers. The price of admission for this classyTeaneck cabaret / nightclub is a donation of $25 or more to TIFF - in advance - for two tickets, or $18 per person at the door.  Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to local food pantries - Center for Food Action in Englewood and Helping Hands Food Pantry in Teaneck) to help out local folks who have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. 

Who are the stars?  Born in Harlem into a musical family, Vivian Sessoms’ mother is a former jingle and session singer, her father is a well-known flautist and percussionist, and her aunt is jazz legend Nancy Wilson. She began classical voice training and piano instruction at the age of nine, and has sung with notable musicians – Stevie Wonder, Pink, Chris Botti, Cher, Natalie Cole, Sinead O’Connor – to name just a few.  Sessoms has appeared at The Blue Note and The Jazz Standard Nightclub in NY, and in the past two years has played to sold-out crowds at Feinstein’s and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Vocalist, writer, producer Clinton Daniel was born in West Virginia and has been performing since the age of six, when he sang and played piano at his family’s local Baptist Church. He worked for KissFM New York wake- up band as the lead vocalist; was the opening act for BoyzIIMen and Cece Peniston; and has worked with seasoned professionals such as Sandra St. Victor (The Family Stand), Chaka Khan, The Cover Girls, the late Phyllis Hyman, and Brenda K. Star.

Contribute to a good cause while enjoying a fabulous TIFF opening and the warmth of being with friends and film folks.  Check it all out - films, venues, tickets, talkbacks - at www.teaneckfilmfestival.org.