Review: The Footlighters Club hosts 2025 Holiday Extravaganza in South Florida, honors 96-year-old music conductor Peter Fuchs

Peter and Veronica Fuchs. Photo Credit: Lee Smith.

On Sunday, December 21st, The Footlighters Club of South Florida hosted its 2025 Holiday Extravaganza, where they honored 96-year-old music conductor Peter Fuchs.

The reception was held at Solel Banquet Hall in Hollywood, Florida.

The Footlighters Club is a nonprofit organization that was created in 1956 by entertainers Leon Fields and Hal Fisher.

Its mission is to foster fun, friendship and fellowship among entertainers and musicians. From this idea stemmed The Footlighters Foundation, which supports indigent performers of all kinds.

Over the years, The Footlighters Club has honored such iconic entertainers as Tony Bennett, Red Buttons, Sammy David Jr., Connie Francis, Jackie Mason, Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles, Little Anthony, Neil Sedaka, and Frank Sinatra, among many others.

Musical director and performer Mark Friedman serves as President and Chairman of the Board of The Footlighters Foundation and Club.

This year’s event began promptly at noon. It featured a buffett luncheon, dancing to DJ Mongo’s music, as well as a mix and mingle segment.

Rodi Alexander Friedman made the welcoming events. 2024 Mister World USA winner and kinesiologist Daryn Alexander served as a guest host, who introduced this year’s honoree, music composer, arranger, conductor and pianist, 96-year-old Peter Fuchs.

Peter Fuchs has been a Musical Director, Conductor and Arranger for over 70 musicals on Broadway and throughout the United States and Europe.

His biggest show was the multi-media Bicentennial production “Hurray USA,” which was jointly produced by the Cities of Miami and Miami Beach with a cast of 600 performers.

Throughout his respected career, Fuchs served as conductor of the South Florida Youth Symphony, the Miami Symphonic Society Orchestra, the Miami Ballet and has composed and arranged music for ballets, motion pictures and musical productions.

Latvian chanteuse and international Cabaret singing sensation Aelita Neihausen sang in honor of “Maestro” Peter Fuchs, and subsequent tributes followed by Phyllis Green, Judy Scott, and his own wife Veronica Fuchs.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Little Anthony (of the acclaimed group Little Anthony and the Imperials) and his wife Linda were in attendance.

Bobby Brooks Wilson, who is affectionately known as “Mr. Entertainment,” performed a medley of hit songs that encompasses such musical genres as R&B/soul, Motown, and rock and roll.

Wilson’s vibrant and enthralling live performance was well-received, especially since the crowd was dancing, clapping and singing along with him.

In addition, many people donated toys for the kids at Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital, which was an added special treat (on top of an already eloquent event).

The program concluded with raffle drawings for various gift prizes.

The Verdict

Overall, The Footlighters’ 2025 Holiday Extravaganza was an uplifting, heartwarming, and thoroughly entertaining and engaging event. There was something in it for the entire family.

Hopefully, this is a harbinger of more quality events to come from The Footlighters of South Florida in the near future.

To learn more about The Footlighters Club, visit its official website.