New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. Everyone has a different way of marking the midnight hour. There are events near and far — for families, music lovers, foodies, dancers, or people looking to benefit a cause. Have a peaceful, happy, and safe new year!
Uncle Floyd Vivino will appear in the ballroom at the Hyatt in West Windsor on New Year’s Eve. Vivino’s parents, uncles, and cousins have all been involved in show business. He performed as a child, give piano recitals, and appeared as a dancer at the 1964 World’s Fair. He began as a comedian when he was 16. After high school, he performed in the circus, nightclubs, amusement parks, and as a comedian in a burlesque.
Part of the musical family out of which the Vivino Brothers emerged with several rock and blues efforts, Floyd was the sibling who had mastered ragtime and swing piano, learning many classic standard songs. He could put on a cowboy hat and draw a refined knowledge of classic country music. His brothers pitched right in on the broadcast enterprise, making up most of the overwhelming musical talent. The Vivino family knew that good music could basically be created for free. His brothers, Jimmy and Jerry Vivino, have appeared in the house band on the late night Conan O’Brien Show.
The Uncle Floyd Show was broadcast in the 1970s on channel 68 out of Newark. Floyd Vivino had purchased the airtime and sold advertising himself to get the show on the air. The show stayed on in its first run until the end of 1979, but was eventually revived on cable out of Oakland. The show has become the longest-running television show in New Jersey television history.
There were many good rock bands operating around New York City and New Jersey and many were interested in promoting themselves by appearing on the Uncle Floyd show. The Ramones and the Squeeze were two of the bands. This gave the Uncle Floyd Show something for the adults to watch as the children enjoyed the cute puppets, goofy skits, and sardonic sense of humor. Vivino’s talent of musical parody featured satires of musicians including Bruce Springsteen.
Vivino has worked regularly as an actor, appearing twice on “Law and Order” and the soap opera “Loving.” He has also appeared on variety programs such as Turkey TV, Up All Night, and the Dr. Demento Show. In 1998, he appeared on the “Cosby Show.” He also had small roles in several films, including “Good Morning, Vietnam.”
In 1999, he achieved the honor of placing in the Guinness Book of World Records for non-stop piano playing. Floyd played for 24 hours and 15 minutes under the close observation of the Guinness experts.
Two Shows and a Gala, Catch a Rising Star, Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center, West Windsor, 609-987-8018. www.catcharisingstar.com. Early show features Jerrold Benford at 8 p.m., $35 to $50 with two item minimum. Comedy show in the ballroom features Uncle Floyd with Dave Evans as the emcee. Soiree package includes dinner, open bar, dancing, champagne toast, hats, favors, balloon, and more for $285 per couple. Celebration package includes comedy show, dancing, champagne, cash bar, and more for $85. Regency package includes dinner, dancing, overnight accommodations, and more for $399 per couple 8 and 10 p.m.
In Town
New Year’s Eve Mass, Saint David the King Church, 1 New Village Road, Princeton Junction, 609-275-7111. www.stdavidtheking.com. 5 p.m.
Good Cause
Multimedia Light Show, Cranbury Christmas Lights, 128 North Main Street, Cranbury. 6 to 9 p.m. Last night to see the more than 120,000 lights controlled by 640 channels featuring new additions of falling lights on the house and additional lights on the mega tree. The “Shooting Fountain of Light” has 10,000 lights and a 20 foot by 20 foot wall of snowflakes has more than 25,000 lights. Park on North Main Street or on side streets. No parking directly in front of the house or across the street from the house. Free will donations for Princeton Alliance Church in Plainsboro. cranburyChristmasLights.com
On Stage
A Vaudeville New Year’s Eve, Villagers Theater, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, 732-873-2710. www.villagerstheatre.com. Variety show at 7 p.m. is $20. Show at 9:30 p.m. includes the post show party with food, music, dancing, party hats, and more. $60. 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Dancing
Milonga Extravaganza, Viva Tango, Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609-948-4448. vivatango.org. Music by Maurizio Najt, food, champagne, and dancing. Black tie optional. $50. 9 p.m.
Classical Music
New Year’s Eve, New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra, Patriots Theater, War Memorial, Trenton, 609-558-2292. www.capitalphilharmonic.org. Features Shostakovich: Festive Overture, Offenbach: Suite from Gaite Parisienne; R. Strauss: Roses from the South; and Gershwin: Girl Crazy. Hosted by David Osenberg of WWFM. 8 p.m.
Live Music
Paul Plumeri Band, Alchemist & Barrister, 28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-5555. www.theaandb.com. 21 plus. 9 p.m.
World Music
In the Beginning There Was Sound, Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, Orchard Hill Center, 88 Orchard Road, Skillman, 609-924-7294. www.princetonyoga.com. Sound journey into the vibrations of the gongs, Native American flutes, Himalayan singing bowls, percussion, and more. Bring a pot luck vegetarian appetizer or dessert to share. Register. $45 to $55. 9 p.m.
