Philadelphia

HUNTER PENCE HAS MOVES LIKE MICK JAGGER & other fun events I captured on my rounds last night.

June 1, 2012 by HughE Dillon

THURSDAY NIGHT is as I always say, the new Friday night as my evening was chock full of events. First I stopped by the Omni Hotel to shoot something for Alex’s Lemonade Stand and a fantastic charity auction they’re having which I will discuss next week here on PCC.
Then I headed over to Rittenhouse Square to photograph the Ball on the Square Patron Party and Live Auction.
The Ball on the Square (6/21 & sold out) is the event for the well heeled, well dressed, philanthropic people who help maintained the beautiful park that we all love and use, sometimes over use as it’s become the place to see and be seen for all of Philly. I’ll have a full report on the party next week in my social column online at Philly Mag in the Scene Section.
Then I hightailed it over (passing Colin Farrell as he left his hotel on his way out to his birthday dinner [I’m sure]. I was in such a hurry I didn’t even stop to take his photo, no doubt surprising his bodyguard who had nothing to do then.)

Hunter Pence’s first charity event “Let’s Go Eat!” Food & Fun Fest at the  Moshulu.

The highlight of the evening was several ping pong games and the chance to interact and get signatures from some of your favorite baseball players like Cole Hamels (with Heidi), Kyle Kendrick (w/Stephenie), Jen and Chase Utley, John Mayberry, Vance Worley and the man of the hour Hunter Pence. Howie Pence on deck.
Howie is playing a young lady who won a “lottery” to play in the games. It was a series of 5 tournaments, the winner got to play Hunter Pence for the Championship of the Hunter Pence “Let’s Eat” event.

There were also lots of other fun going ons at the event. I’m a fan of the auctions. It’s always out of my budget to buy a sports related item at these events as many fans attend. (I like to buy items for the charity event I put on for Gilda’s Club of SJ.) These hats were selling in the $300 range, which was super great since the players were really charitable with autographing the fans items that were in attendance. 

Pence jersey was going for $450, and Cliff Lee’s was at $500. Signed jerseys are great to have, I find some folks wear them to games, but I would recommend you get them professionally framed.
Probably because Hunter was generous with his signature that evening, and Lee wasn’t able to make the event. Jackson Vansesko was able to get Hunter Pence to sign his bat, and Vincent Megliano got the graphs of Chase Utley, Victorino, Hunter Pence, 

Kyle Kendrick, Ruban, and Mayberry.  It’s always a wonderful event when the heroes of baseball sign for their fans, and a memorable moment for the youngsters.

There were various interactive Xbox gaming
stations, including one of Hunter’s
favorite games “Fruit Ninja.”

At first I thought Hunter was getting a special paddle for his upcoming game, but he actually signed this paddle that was going in the auction.

He used a regular old paddle. Now if I were thinking clearly after his game I should have picked it up and gotten it signed. Would that be stealing? Hmm

Complete concentration and command of the game going on here.
Then I realized it was just practice as they announced the 2nd set of players should get into place. I realized it was gonna be a long night.
 Hunter’s event started at 5:30PM and featured athletes, sports personalities and entertainers. It
benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia, PHILABUNDANCE and
Phillies Charities, Inc. Since I got there late (8:30PM) most of his team mates had already fraternized and created memorable moments with the fans, and were now ensconced in an upper deck, I was told, out of reach of my camera. But check out….
Laura Elliott, Jillian Mele co-host of the NBC 10! Show, Executive Chef
David Boyle of Davio’s, Hunter Pence, Elizabeth Blakeley of Davio’s, and
Ettore Ceraso GM of Davio’s
How cute is that baby, and those blonds? It was time to leave. I wonder who won that last ping pong game with Hunter Pence?
This year’s Wall Ball celebrated The Roots, who will be a subject of a mural at 6th and South Streets. Also being honored was Sheryl Lee Ralph (c) and Sen Vincent Hughes (r) with Jane Golden, Executive Director of the Mural Arts.
YOUNG PATRONS PARTY
9 – 10:30 p.m.
Music by DJ Brendan Bring’Em, lite bites, drinks, dancing, and fun!
and talented break dancers
Really amazing!!
Last stop Table 31 for a night cap of Caprese Salad. I was starving. Then I ran into a little USO action on the Plaza as Dana Spain and Eric Cahill opened the dance floor around 11PM.
THANKS TO ALL MY ADVERTISERS THIS WEEK, and THE FOLKS THAT HIRED ME FOR EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY. 
Having a party, need a photo booth rent a Cool Pix Photo Booth
Need a wedding band, no not that kind, a musical kind CTO Entertainment is for you.
Plus they have DJ’s all the way down to a guy playing a keyboard for your party
or event. (I was just at an event at Tiffany’s Jewelers and there was a guy
playing the keyboard for entertainment & he was from CTO.   Teuscher’s Chocolate’s , work out at The Sporting Club, need a massage how about Hand and Stone, 
There’s one in NJ and soon in Fairmount in the old Hollywood Video store near Whole Foods. Del Frisco’s has the Power Couple Dinner, $99 for two.    Need a lawyer, think about Zarwin Baum.
Tonight head over to Recess to let off some steam by dancing or Saturday nite head over to NorthShore Beach for The Scene with the Three Nerds. Bathing attire appreciated, hot!!  Finally support The 18th Annual Dr. Howard Mazer Memorial Strides for Stroke 5K Race/Walk
HAVE AN AWESOME & SAFE WEEKEND.  If you still are with me Check out my column on Philly Mag yesterday about the Philadelphia Award at the Barnes Museum.