INTERVIEW: Darius Narizzano On The “Ladles of Love” Concert And Telethon

“Ladles of Love” sponsor Darius Narizzano, a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at Saunders & Associates, is thankful for the attention being given to the upcoming event. He told us, “This is really a cool project. ‘Ladles of Love’ is a fundraiser for the local food pantries of East Hampton, Amagansett, Sag Harbor, Wainscott, Montauk, along with helping out the local musicians.” The benefit concert and telethon will be broadcast on Thursday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. on LTV, as well as C-TV from Southampton, and it’s going to be broadcast over the internet live.

Narizzano explained how he initially became very involved with the project. “First of all, John Kowalenko brought me in many years ago to the food pantry. For years I managed restaurants out on the East End, and I did some extensive management work for a wealthy family for 30 years. I met John and his wife through that. John called me one day and said you could really contribute a lot for us at the pantry. We need your help.”

Narizzano continued, “He then brought me on as a board member, which I have been doing for a quite a long time now. In fact, now I am the treasurer also. John and I go above and beyond with a lot with extra things that we do. He called me about ‘Ladles,’ which I did with him the last time we did it, in person, before the pandemic, at the Talkhouse. It was amazing, lots of fun. I should also interject that my 19-year-old is an amazing musician, and he just finished his first year of college for music. He is a composer, so the fact that ‘Ladles of Love’ is also helping the local musicians brought that much more to my heart. So, I sponsored, along with Andrew and Colleen Saunders, the event to start with.”

When asked if he believes this year’s ‘Ladles of Love’ is most important, he responded, “It is. We always have this need out here. The need has been incredible, of course this COVID-19 year, that much more. Now we are seeing the amount of food we are giving out is no longer rising because people are getting back to work, which is fantastic, but nobody knows what’s around the corner. We [the pantries] are completely self-funded, mind you I am a board member of the East Hampton food pantry, but this particular event, we are doing for five food pantries.”

The show will consist of great local musical acts playing pre-recorded music, with many original tunes being played at venues such as the Stephen Talkhouse. There will be Nancy Atlas with her crew, plus many special guests, like Mama Lee and Inda Eaton. The production lineup features shows in 30 minute segments, starting from the Stephen Talkhouse with Nancy Atlas, Johnny Blood, Bret King, Rick Rosch, PJ Delia, Inda Eaton, Gene Casey, Joe Delia, Arno Hecht, Mama Lee and Rose. Next, the show has an LTV Studio session with Taylor Barton, G.E. Smith, Simon Kirke (from Bad Company). That is followed by a recorded show from the Bay Street Theater with Joe Lauro and The Hoodoo Loungers and finally again at LTV Studio with what is being called ‘The One Special Song session.”

Narizzano explained how he once brought his then young children in to help at the pantry. “At first, they weren’t that thrilled when I mentioned they should come and help, but I was so proud how quickly they understood the importance of the work and how enthusiastically they contributed. They got it, they saw it, it meant something to them, and I hope everyone can get that opportunity to understand how valuable community service is for all of our souls. It’s not that I am giving, I am getting!”

For more information, visit easthamptonfoodpantry.org.