I’ll return to party coverage tomorrow, so stay tuned. As always follow me on SOCIAL MEDIA where I keep it fresh every hour, and more Philly Gossip happening Sunday 2/24/19. Kendall will be back in town by then, and Rupert Grint will be spotted eating out between scenes of M Night’s new TV Series #CelebsinPHL

#SaveTheDatePHL Let Them Eat Cake 2019 A Tasty Time

Sample cakes from more than 35 of the area’s best pastry chefs while enjoying live music and unlimited wine tastings as Variety hosts the 2019 Let Them Eat Cake on February 24, at the Loews Hotel. This years theme is Under the Sea.

Most importantly, all proceeds of the affordable $40 ticket cost (in advance; $50 at door) go to support children with special needs.

Let Them Eat Cake is always very popular, so get your tickets early.

Now in its 16 th year, Let Them Eat Cake has earned a reputation as one of the premier culinary events on the Philadelphia calendar. Guests will enjoy sampling dramatic and delicious creations while sipping on cocktails, wine, and other beverages. Music will be provided by Mole Street making for a fun and upbeat backdrop in one of Philadelphia’s most iconic ballrooms.

Guests will meet the chefs behind the cakes, sample them or take one home for dessert in the doggie box they are given when they check in.

Date: Sunday February 24, 2019
Time: Doors open at 6pm
Place: The Loews Philadelphia, 12th and Market

Purchase Tickets Here

If you have any questions, please contact Harry Giordano at harry.giordano@varietyphila.org.
215-385-0900

Hey guys real quick. You might have noticed if you follow me on Social Media, I’ve covered quite a few events that haven’t hit the blog yet.  I’m going on vacation today and will return next Tuesday and at the same time my blog, PhillyChitChat will be undergoing a change. Nothing you’ll see, just the back end where I add posts, and the ease of use. With the new backed I will be able to more easily add advertisements, something which was never simple before to do.

A Hawk I saw on my walk with Justin Pizzi the other day.

Plus my site will crash less. Over the past year if I received too much traffic at once my site would go off line (anything more than 500 hits an hour). This happened a dozen times and was very frustrating. To do this the site has to disappear for a few hours or a days, so I don’t want you to get nervous that I’ve stopped blogging on my beloved baby.

Thanks so much for all your support. Everyday I’m out and about people tell me that they read my blog, someone told me last night at Philly Cooks that they’d be a reader all 10 years, that makes me so happy to know that I covering interesting events, subjects and bringing you info you can use.

Follow me on Instagram HERE
Don’t forget to watch the “stories” video of my trip.
And follow along on Twitter where I tweet about news you can use HERE

The Scene at Last Night’s Chinese New Year Celebration

See the faint red line, that is actually firecrackers being lowered onto the street. The people on the ground lite it and it travels up the
“string” igniting the firecrackers. The folks on the balcony lower them to the sidewalk.
You can see it better in these photos
They use a cardboard box so it lays better and doesn’t ignite the awning
it’s loud
Several firecrackers hit my legs, and the ash and pebbles flew in the air

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#chinesenewyear #philadelphia

A post shared by Philly ChitChat (@phillychitchat) on Feb 4, 2019 at 7:41pm PST

This is loud, if you’re at work you might want to adjust your volume… See ya tomorrow on PhillyChitChat

American Heart Association Go Red Campaign Kicks Off With A Reception

On January 31, 2019, the iconic city landmark,  The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia was the scene for the American Heart Association of Philadelphia , celebrated the Go Red for Women movement and kicked-off National Heart Month with a special “red” reception.

 Deena Weems Thornton – Director, Go Red for Women and Helene Glassberg, M.D. Penn Medicine

My three best friends: Dr. Thanuja Hamilton, Sheila Hess and Marilyn Russell not paying any attention to me

Leroy and Felicia Miles

Michael Bennett, Classic Cake created a special delight for the evening

Doreen Creede and Janice Waitkus. jewelry by LAGOS

Jimmy Contreras, Public Relations The Ritz-Carlton

Dr. William Grey, Lankenau Heart Group physician and Mayor Jim Kenney presenting a City Ordination

Brigid Stasen and Pat Nogar

Mike and Carolyn Farrell. Carolyn is a 25 year survivor of a heart attack.

I spoke to sever survivors and they told me they didn’t recognize the signs at first. One women was pregnant and thought it was just heartburn, but after persistent pain she went to the doctors, another had pain and ignored it but her husband insisted she go to the emergency room and it literally saved her life.

Know the Symptons

Kickoff Party of Philly Theatre Week Returns February 7 to 17th with 100 Events

Saturday afternoon Philly Theatre Week held a Kickoff Party on the newest pier on the Delaware River – Cherry Street Pier. Philly Theatre Week runs February 7 to 17th with 100 Events and 315 performances.

The Theatre Philadelphia team
Katherine Clark, Leigh Goldenberg,  and James Harrow

Leigh Goldenberg – Executive Director of Theatre Philadelphia greets the audience.
Studio 5 provided a theatre space for a glimpse of performances for the upcoming week.
Here’s she’s introducing award winning magician, Robert Malissa who has shows this week at L’Etage 624 S. 6th St.

Loretta Gray and Allison King, Philly Design Co-Working Space

Theatre in the X presents “The Colored Museum”, which is produced in partnership with the African American Museum in Philadelphia

Black History Month-themed events: August Wilson Consortium’s “The Black Experience in the Art of Drama: Revisiting the Works of August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, Amiri Baraka, and James Baldwin;” Beacon Theatre Production’s “”The Spirit of Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I A Woman?;” EgoPo Classic Theatre’s ““Book Club Discussion: We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates;” Theatre in the X’s “The Colored Museum at the African American Museum of Philadelphia;” Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Collective’s
“Detroit ’67;” Passage Theatres “To My Unborn Child: A Love Letter from Fred Hampton;” Arden Theatre Company’s “74 Seconds…to Judgement.”

Theatre Philadelphia is dedicated to bringing together and celebrating Philadelphia’s diverse and growing theatre community. Founded in 2012, the organization is committed to leading efforts that grow audiences and promote the public’s participation in the community’s work. Theatre Philadelphia envisions a region that celebrates this growing and ever-changing theatre community – nurturing local theatre artists, fostering the creation of extraordinary work, forging stronger connections between art and audiences – recognizing that a diverse, robust, and thriving theatre community can play a pivotal role in making Philadelphia a world-class city. Current programs include the Theatre Philadelphia website (www.theatrephiladelphia.org), The Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, Philly Theatre Week, and strategies and events empowering artists and organizations to increase audience participation. Theatre Philadelphia is an artist-in-residence at The Cherry Street Pier, a project of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

Claire Moyer, Inis Nua and Ann Garner, InterAct Theatre
Both theaters are located in Center City in an intimate space at The Drake.

For local premieres: Philadelphia Dramatists Center’s “Heartbreak Hotel;”; Curio Theatre Company’s “Three Sisters, By Rashdash, After Chekhov;” Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium’s “Dream Girl by Elmer Rice;” Val Dun & Jenna Kuerzi’s “Johnny Depp: a Retrospective on Late Stage Capitalism;” EgoPo Classic Theatres ““Three Sisters Two;” Hella Fresh Theatres ““Cana of Galilee;” Theatre Exile’s “An Oak Tree,” Inis Nua’s “Box Clever.”

For our area’s Universities: Temple Theatres’ “Fabulation by Lynn Nottage;” Villanova Theatre’s “Youth by James Ijames;” University of the Arts “Equinox New Student Play Festival”

Philly Theatre Week is presented by Theatre Philadelphia in partnership with TodayTix and sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional Theatre Philadelphia funding is provided by the WIlliam Penn Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation.

Theatre Philadelphia has partnered with the international ticketing platform TodayTix for 2019 Philly Theatre Week to offer reduced-price tickets exclusively through the app. For select performances with participating theaters, $15 and $30 tickets will be available for purchase. Reservations for free events can also be made through TodayTix. Download the TodayTix app or visit the website for more information.

For additional information, please visit www.phillytheatreweek.com or call 267-761-9950.

Connect with Theatre Philadelphia on social media at Facebook.com/PhiladelphiaTheatre, Twitter.com/TheatrePhilly and Instagram.com/theatrephiladelphia. #PhillyTheatreWeek

PhillyGossip: Mandy Moore in Town, Jess Tartaglia Out on the Town, Palm Face

We’re Still The Super Bowl Champs for another few hours. Yesterday was gorgeous. I had a gig at Cherry Street Pier, which I will talk about tomorrow on PhillyChitChat, and shot my favorite bridge with an ice flow in the Delaware River. So beautiful. I think this is one of my favorite shots of late. OK let’s get on with Philly Gossip and Hughe Around Town…

Mandy Moore was at the Fillmore Philly on Friday night catching the sold out show of The Dawes who’s frontman is her new husband –Taylor Goldsmith. The 34-year-old This Is Us star married the Dawes frontman on 11/1/1/ in Los Angeles. Last summer another This Is Us star visited Philly, as Justin Hartley and Melanie Liburd shot a scene with Fresh Air’s Terry Gross at the WHYY studios.  (PCC)

Jessica Kartalija who joined CBS3 Eyewitness News in the fall of 2018 anchoring the news with Ukee Washington, enjoyed an early dinner at Parc on Rittenhouse Square yesterday. You’ll recall last year M Night Shyamalan filmed a few scenes from his new movie, Glass, at the popular restaurant, the same movie which has been on the top of the movie charts since it’s debut three weeks ago. Jessica’s desk mate Ukee Washington is in several scenes in Glass.

Congrats to 6ABC’s Annie McCormick who’s face has been placed on the wall of the Palm. She’s pictured with the artist.
Speaking of people we never get tired of looking at congratulations are in store for Bill Henley who celebrates 25 years at NBC10.  Check out his story over at NBCPhiladelphia

The Eagles are still #1 in our hearts!!

Academy Ball Best Dressed 2019

 Saturday night’s Academy of Music Anniversary Ball was one of the best. I really enjoyed the theme of the evening “Cornerstone of Culture”, where those on stage discussed the history of the building, where the proceeds from the balls over the years have gone, the HVAC system, new seating, general maintenance of the building,

Dame Helen Mirren: Dress by Escada (est $6,595.00 ), hair by NYC Stylist Marco Santini and make up by Philly’s Tammi Toliver

but one of my favorite moments was when special guest Dame Helen Mirren looked to the balcony, thanking the young concert goers for attending and reminding them it was up to them, the next generation to pick up the baton and continue to attend this grand traditional event which will ensure the funding of the restoration of the Grand Dame of Locust Street.  Every year for fun I choose the Best Dressed of the Academy of Music Anniversary Ball and Dinner. Although I took over 400 people at the 7 hour event, I know I missed a lot of folks who looked fabulous, and everyone really looked amazing, but these are my favorites, and thank you to all those who have heard my pleas for color, color, color.

Ron Blackburn and Jaime Blackburn.
Jaime is a wear black all the time, but she’s changing it up in 2019 and I think
she looks stunning in her blush Marchesa
Dripping in elegance and glamour
Shelly Power, executive director of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and Angel Corella, the ballet’s artistic director, at the 162nd Academy of Music Anniversary Concert and Ball on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. Dandy and Dapper
Joy Tate wearing black, but I love this simple, elegant dress, and boxer Bernard Hopkins

Sarah Marshall wearing Marchesa with jewelry from Bernie Robbins with her mother Linda Saxer wearing Oscar de la Renta

Jody McNeil Lewis with her daughter Ellie, who is wearing a Nicole Miller Philadelphia Eagles inspired dress, now sold out.

Congrats to Brandon Morrison (LR2) and Stacey Kracher (Pamella Roland)

I was heading into the auditorium to get into position to photograph the concert, when I saw Richard Jones, and wife Sharon Jones who was wearing a beautiful Monique Lhuillier floral gown, and I just had to stop and grab the shot. Just stunning!!

Another floral gown was worn by Anne O’Malley
whose daughter Annette Ryan wore pale pink with a fur stole.
Accompanying them are Bert O’Malley and Matthew Ryan.

Erika Siegfried and Cory Siegfried

Catherine Cahill, President and CEO of the Mann wearing a gorgeous dress she bought from Bloomingdale’s earlier the day, and it’s spectacular – Save the Date for the Mann Music Gala – it’s 6/24 when Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin makes his debut in the park, and Leslie Miller wearing Naeem Khan an Indian-American fashion designer based in New York.
Emalee Welsh and John Welsh
Susan and David Lipson, Anne Hamilton, Lynn and Jim Dever

Another beautiful floral gown:
Priyanka Gupta and Rohit Gupta, MD

Allie Bucci and Stephen Iacobucci
Married under a year, I found this fun nugget in their wedding announcement in the NY Times
The bride is a descendant of Gov. William Bradford and of William Brewster, both of the Plymouth Colony, and is also a descendant of John McLean, a Supreme Court justice who dissented in the 19th-century Dred Scott decision.

Jenny Lofard proving you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to looking fabulous, fabulous as Jenny picked up her beautiful red gown from TJ Maxx and it was under $100, and Ned Campbell. Janice Wright Waitkus, Store Director of LAGOS wearing Marchessa Notte, from Neiman Marcus, my jewelry is LAGOS, and shoes by Stuart Weitzman.
and husband Bob Waitkus

Marjan Vafaie wearing BHLDN and Anna Mahmud Tasnuva wearing SAKS 5th Ave

Lozenge Imasogie is wearing a custom Mayen Couture dress, accompanied by her husband Osagie O. Imasogie, Esq.

Chris Topolewski and Katie Topolewski

New parents Amber and Pedro Goins

Another dress under $100, and one Jamie Lee Curtis wore to the Golden Globes last month. Not only is Dr. Thanuja Hamilton a life saver, see yesterday’s post, but she’s a abstemious fashion plate, who embraces winter white to brighten up this Society Photographers life. Nicholas Perugino in Joseph Banks.
Lynsie Solomon.
Wearing Lucian Mattis at Gabrielle in Bala, just breathtaking, and it looks fabulous on her.
Thank you Sheila Hess for being my date Saturday night, here wearing a little something glamorous she picked up at Macy’s, who by the way is having a 50- 75% off of a lot of their fashions this week, I was warming myself in their store yesterday. And Moi in my Men’s Wearhouse (MWH) Fashion. If you were at the Academy on Saturday, you’ll recall that Dame Helen Mirren mentioned Men’s Wearhouse from the stage, saying that all them were emptied tonight of their White Tie’s and were now sitting in the audience. I mentioned to my friends at the MWH on Chestnut Street of her quip, and they told me that her husband had rented his White Tie from them, and she returned it on Sunday walking in alone. She told them she had mentioned them to her friends, but the sales clerks were perplexed by her statement, and didn’t recognize her until she was out the door.

What a joy it was to partner with the Academy Ball for the last 7 Years, promoting the event, as well as focusing on the Young Friends of the Academy of Music, which has an amazing membership program, cultivating the importance of philanthropy!!

Check out photos from this event
CBSPhilly
Philly Voice
Philly Style Mag
And in April in print in Philadelphia Magazine

HAT: Helen Mirren Thanks Doctor at Ball, Roses in Rittenhouse, MLK at Comcast

Saturday night at the Academy of Music 162nd Anniversary Concert and Ball a concert goer had a medical emergency a few seats away from Dr. Thanuja Hamilton. Dr. Hamilton tended to the women, assisting her until the ambulance arrived. While helping the patient she lost her bracelet and missed the the Anniversary Concert where Dame Helen Mirren‘s performed. Before heading to the Bellevue for dinner Hamilton went to the stage door where the lost and found is kept, and retrieved her bracelet after someone had found it. It was at that time that an official from the Academy said that Dame Helen Mirren would like to thank Dr. Hamilton for assisting the women who had passed out, before they all headed over to the Bellevue for dinner. As a gesture, Dame Helen Mirren gifted her flowers to Dr. Thanuja Hamilton and posed for this photo.

Speaking of Saturday night, on Monday when I went to return my White Tie to Men’s Wearhouse, I was walking through Rittenhouse Square and saw rose petals on the ground. I mentioned it to my Instagram Stories followers, and the next day I received the answer on how they got there.
Congrats to Sam Selig and Sarah Rosenberg who got engaged at the storied Rittenhouse Square Park on
Saturday night.
You should be following me on Instagram, specifically InstaStories. I often tell my followers stories, and tidbits I don’t
necessary share elsewhere.
https://www.instagram.com/phillychitchat/
This is where you’ll find random stories of Philly, videos including the one I did last night of Melissa Magee, 6ABC playing pool, my popular Elevator Chat series, and my bathroom reviews. Last night I reviewed the bathroom
at the Fitler Club. The stalls are bigger than my kitchen.

I stopped by the Comcast Technology Center the other day to do an interview with
Miguel Martinez-Valle
I noticed the Martin Luther King statues which used to be on the Art Museum steps last year, are now displayed in their concourse. The lobby of the new building is spectacular as well.
I love just popping into spaces and seeing the art work, this is a must do. You don’t even have to go outside if your office is along the Market Street or JFK Blvd, you can walk underground from City Hall to the Comcast buildings at 18th Street. On warmer days you can walk to the Comcast Plaza at 17th and JFK and do a Selfie with the MLK statue there.

Speaking of Miguel it’s Happy 26th Birthday to him. A rising star on the news scene, Miguel is taking the City by storm since arriving from a two year stint as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KVVU-TV in Las Vegas last year, (where former NBC10’s Christine Madella is an anchor), reporting for both NBC10 and Telemundo, Miguel is also a popular MC for various charity events in the City, as well as on the social scene often spotted at Karaoke nights at Tavern on Camac, brunch at Tabu on Sundays, or eating at the hottest new restaurants like the newly opened Makhani in Old City for his birthday dinner last Saturday night, and Birthday Day lunch on Tuesday at Stephen Starr’s LOVE with fellow NBC reporter Drew Smith, Telemundo producer  Emmanuel Capó, Syrmarie Villalobos, Anchor and Reporter @telemundo62 and Alondra Anaya, weather anchor for Telemundo62.

Welcome to Philly Shaina Humphries who will be doing night time anchor duties at Fox 29. She just did a 6 year stint in Des Moines, Iowa at KCCI, where she worked as a reporter.

Tomorrow I will have the Best Dressed of the Academy Ball, until then keep warm, and be kind to one another.
~ HughE