Author: HughE Dillon

Chronicling Philadelphia

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Around Town With HughE

Photos: Wexler Gallery Opening Party

Lewis Wexler, and Sherri Apter Wexler owners of Wexler Gallery Celebrated The Opening Of Their New Philadelphia Location at 1811 Frankford avenue last month. It was formerly in the historic district of Old City where they opened in 2000.

Pei-ru Keh editor of Wallpaper Magazine, with gallery owners Lewis Wexler, and Sherri Apter Wexler and furniture designer Jomo Tariku, Jomo Design Furniture. The four of them participated in a panel discussion about current trends in design and art.

Wexler Gallery, opened a flagship showroom at 1811 Frankford Avenue in the heart of Philadelphia’s bustling Fishtown neighborhood, definitely Philly’s new vibrant art and cultural center.

The new gallery space will serve as Wexler’s flagship location and feature a roster of established and emerging artists, as well as the main offices for the Wexler staff complete with meeting space for clients and customers.

Lana Masor, Gallery Manager at Wexler Gallery NYC and Samantha Goldberg

They have another gallery in Manhattan 200 Lexington Ave.

Lauren Rufrano, Jomo Tariku, Justin Wesley, and Mark Allen
Nick Missel, contemporary Sculpture, patent attorney, artist Ben Gillespie, lighting designer and owner of Ovuud and Jessica Uphoff, URBN

Thanks to my photographer Talya Hailey who shot this for PCC as I had two other events. It was definitely a party I missed. So many fun and talented people attended. Being a creative brings such personal joy of accomplishment.

Marsha Moss, Public Art Curator & Consultant, Jill Sablosky, Sculptor and Crystal Cuevas
Crystal Cuevas, Claudia Volpe, and Micah Monroe

Occupying a former pretzel factory built in 1910, the 11,000-square-foot gallery features a dramatic, 35-foot-high central atrium topped by large skylights cut out of the timber ceiling.

Franz Rabauer, Brian Daggett, X, and Kelly
Jerome Maury, Sherri Wexler, gallery owner, Stephanie Giesecke, and Nina Halper

The Wexlers aspire for the gallery to serve as a cornerstone, drawing in other artistic hubs like Corridor, and numerous others within the Crane Arts building vicinity (I always thank the Zimmerman sisters for really helping this area after they opened InLiquid nearly a decade ago in the Crane Arts Building), along with the Clay Studio and the recently inaugurated Ray Philly, a residential complex featuring artists’ studios on the ground floor, supported by collector Dasha Zhukova. It’s becoming a very exciting area, great for weekend strolls.

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HughE Around Town: Emily Lucking Exhibition

John Colabelli, Publisher of Philly Style Magazine, Brian Emmons, development manager for Southern Land, artist Emily Lucking, Esq., Life Coach and Allan Domb, Condo King

Congratulations to Emily Lucking, not only is she a successful Life Coach where she helps others attain their goals, but she goes after them herself. Last month The Laurel on Rittenhouse Square began displaying ten of her paintings in the lobby the luxurious building. I stopped by for the celebration reception.

The Lucking family.

Stop by the Laurel to check out Emily’s art, which is for sale, and one of the Laurel’s luxury apartments as well.

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47th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show This Weekend

Anne Mitchell creates beautiful handmade jewelry consisting of recycled newspaper.

On November 2, 2023, the 43rd Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, presented by the Museum’s Women’s Committee, kicked off the annual premier exhibition and sale of contemporary American craft with a preview party at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Chris Darway, Artist, designer, teacher, writer. Wayne Art Center and Nancy C. O’Meara – Director and Craft Show Manager

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show was founded in 1977 and was the first retail craft show established and organized by a volunteer committee for the benefit of a non-profit institution. This trailblazing show has served as a prototype for successful subsequent shows in cities such as Washington, D.C., and Glencoe, IL among others.

Ami Snyderman Lonner chair of this years show, her dad Rick Snyderman and brother Evan Snyderman of Manhattan, and Renee Cohen

The Show is presented each November by the Museum’s Women’s Committee and the Craft Show Committee for the benefit of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A portion of each year’s proceeds is dedicated to the purchase of a craft object for the Museum’s permanent collection. Funds raised are also used to underwrite education and publication projects within the Museum.

Martha Morris, Bryn Mawr, Linda Madara, Bryn Mawr, Linda Fuller of Haverford and Carole Jones of Philadelphia (I prepared some of these photos this way as they will go in the Main Line Today January issue. )
Courtney Richards, Philly Pr Girl, Kate Marlys, Philly Pr Girl – Sunday Philly Pr Girls will be hosting their 8th annual Tailgate Party at the Eagles game.
Catherine Joseph Booth 312 has great textiles.
Henry Fader and Marjorie Rosenbluth Philips, who is wearing items she purchased at the craft show over a 12 year period.

Proceeds have enabled the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for the Audio-Visual and Conservation departments and monies have been contributed to the renovation of both Museum infrastructure and galleries as well as external installations such as the Rodin Museum and Mount Pleasant, an 18th century house in nearby Fairmount Park.

Joan Spain and Joan Pileggi, or the Joan’s as they have always been known on the social circuit, live spending time at the PMA Craft Show, as well as supporting many of the arts and cultural endeavors in the City. They were happy to see their friend Karen Morris a milliner , booth 410.
Meghan Patrice Riley Studio of Broklyn NY

The Jane and Leonard Korman Family Prize for Excellence in Clay was awarded to Thomas Harris booth 606. Presented by the Korman daughters Susan Schurr, Cathy Altman and Alison Korman, and flanked by Philadelphia Museum of Arts Sasha Suda, director and CEO of the PMA

The 2023 Show will welcome 44 artists new-to-show, resulting in a total of 195 talented artists representing 13 diverse categories of art and design

The show runs all weekend through Sunday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. TICKETS start at $20 per day, includes lectures and browsing.

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Around Town With HughE

Around Town: Halloween, Celebrities in Philly Fonda, Mcavoy & ChitChat

Hello readers. Social season is winding down. I think this is something I repeat every time Social Season ends, it’s kicked my butt. This year more than ever. It’s after the pandemic and people are excited to be out and about. More than once all three of us have been booked on a given night. Although a lot of the content appears on my media partners sites, CBSPhilly, Metro, and Tribune. I will be putting events here to catch you up as well, today though I just want to publish HughE Around Town stuff for those who might not see my Social Media posts. (I took this photo 12;30 10/31/23)

So many events happen in the fall season that I don’t have time to attend. For years Mike and I were volunteers for AIDS Walk Philly, but in the last decade I haven’t been able to make it. Mike, who had volunteered for 15 years, decided to walk with friends this year. Thanks to PR maven Cari Feiler Bender who snapped this photo for us to enjoy. 10/15 For 20 years it is has been my privilege to work with @aidswalkphilly and Robb Reichard. It’s not too late to donate at www.aidswalkphilly.org. What a beautiful Sunday morning! #aidswalkphilly Cherri Gregg, WHYY, Karen Hua, NBC10, Pierre Robert WMMR, Cari and Rob Reichard.

Speaking of Karen Hua, she had another fabulous Hulaween Party this year. Heidi Klum move over.

Jane Fonda spotted in Philly late last month. Jane Fonda and Maura Tierney @mauratierney_ with the cast of Assassins at Arden Theatre Company which closed October 29. The Arden Theatre Company the show a genius work of Stephen Sondheim. Jane than appeared at a speaking engagement at the Kimmel Center on Monday October 23. (IG Post Arden Theatre)

James McAvoy lives among us, and enjoys our amusement parks. In the Summer he posted he was at Dorney Park, breaking news today, was bought by Six Flags parent company. Over the weekend, the Splits actor spent some time at Hershey Park. He met his wife Lisa, while filming M Night’s Splits movie. She was Night’s assistant. I broke the story when they married in 2019 as I spotted the wedding ring on Lisa’s finger at Rittenhouse Square, he officially made an announcement a few years later when they were having a baby in 2022. He’s been hanging around Philly since July, as he waits for the SAG-AFTRA strike strike to settle and Blumhouse Production’s Speak No Evil to resume. Must be agonizing as it only has 5 days left to film according to the British Sun.

Our NFL Football Wives are cooler than yours. The Eagles Players WAGS (Wives & Girlfriends) are always having to much fun.
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Around Town With HughE

Mister John’s Music Halloween Party

Award winning Mister John’s Music, Music education for all, cut the ribbon on his new South Philly home at 761 S. 8th Street on Sunday, October 29th .

The building is still under construction, but the ribbon cutting, Halloween themed block party gave folks a sneak preview to what would come, another location for Mister John’s Music which offers an ever-expanding, wide variety of musical instruction for the whole family.

It was a fun day, where families dressed for Halloween, ate sweets, played games, music and sang along with Mr. John, Miss Angie, Miss Ashley, Mr Ben and other teachers at the music school.

Hey scarecrows

Many of the parents told me they love the atmosphere at Mister Johns, it’s very diverse, open and inclusive. A great social community for their kids, as well as developing their talent.

Shazam or is it SuperHero.io

I saw this couple Thursday night at Broad Street Ministry “Be Our Guest”

Vrommmm

The Shoap family

Little princess

Councilman Mark Squilla and Max Tuttleman

Mr John makes house calls: “Mr. John came to our house for a birthday party and my son said the best part of his day was, “Mr. John!” Mr. John played his favorite song and was so amazing and engaging with the children. He brought lots of instruments for the children to play along with. Would definitely hire him again!” client

A Message from Mr John:

Thank you everyone who was able to join us yesterday for our Halloween Party and Open House! 🎃🥳 It was so exciting to share what we’ve been working on for the past year.We’ve tried to create a space that is magical and beautiful for children of all ages. A space that will serve Philly families and musicians for generations to come.If you have the means, if MJM has created a space of creative expression, belonging and joy for you/your child/children, we’d love for you to consider putting your name on our donor wall on a custom brass plaque. You can purchase yours at the link in bio!

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Photos: Beer on the Pier Caring People Alliance

Caring People Alliance hosted its second annual Beer on the Pier at Cherry Street Pier on October 28. It will feature beers from 16 breweries.

Dori Senick, Caitlin Butrica, Jerry Macdonald, President & Ceo, Tanya Steinberg and Beth Grossman all of Caring People Alliance
Eric Taylor, HR Caring People Alliance pours Tröegs, one of 16 breweries on hand for tastings , With Halloween coming up I asked Eric what the scariest movie he saw- Lepercaun.
Hey Yards!!
Lois Hansen and Laura Fedock are ready for Halloween. Lois is giving out full size candy bars, Laura tells me the scariest movie she’s ever seen are all the Chuckie movies.
Councilperson Mark Squilla and Folcroft Mayor Fran DiCicco
At Caring People Alliance, we know that raising kids takes a village — so does managing your family’s needs, budget, work, and a million other things that life throws your way. That is why we are here to help. We provide convenient and responsive support to address issues and circumstances that threaten our communities’ wellbeing.
Russ Fleisher and Scott Cohen
Caring People Alliance runs a teen program, here are the teens in their store at Beer on the Pier

Guests enjoying an unseasonably warm day, temps hit the 80F and it was a wonderful lazy Saturday raising money for a good cause.

Cherry Street Pier food vendors were open and folks enjoyed delicious fare.
Hank Flynn, FOX29 was on hand to emcee, walked around and chit chatted with guests. You can catch him on Good Day Monday through Friday.
There were great silent auction items.

It was a beautiful day. A great event. You have to go next year. There was a band, and dancing. Perfect day. Thanks for all you do Caring People Alliance. I love that Philly has so many incredible, helpful organization. They could use your support, financially, or people to volunteer. And if you need their services head here

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Around Town With HughE

Interior designer Jimmy DeLaurentis Opens Showroom

Jimmy DeLaurentis officially opened his flagship location for his private label collection, James by Jimmy DeLaurentis, at 114 S. 19th St. yesterday.

A Philadelphia native and design trailblazer with more than 25 years of experience, Jimmy DeLaurentis is known for creating luxurious and memorable spaces through his unique design aesthetic that combines opulence with a touch of playfulness.

After honing his craft on the creative team at Ralph Lauren, he propelled his career by becoming an entrepreneur, designing stunning homes and businesses for A-list clientele. In 2016, he saw a void in the market for custom, luxury home furnishings and accessories with an element of surprise and launched JAMES by Jimmy DeLaurentis.

The showroom has stacks of eye catching books lined the shelves along with household accents, vintage black and white photos of James Dean, Paul Newman and race cars, welcomed guests to the new shop the showroom interior design and gift shop space. (Michael DelBene and Colin Burke)

Maryanne Harris and Stacey Kracher

Jimmy has other showrooms including one in Las Vegas, where his famous Bravo reality celebs, RHONJ Deloris Catania, Lisa Vanderpump of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and “Vanderpump Rules,” and her husband, Ken Todd, were all in attendance for the reveal of the Amalfi Furniture Collection and Poolside Pet Sofas at a Las Vegas, Nev. At the New York debut Teresa Giudice mentioned she has the Gabriella in her house. Don’t be surprised if you stop by his store and run into one of these ladies.

Sophisticated bar accessories

Jimmy also has these cute pet sofas which he debut in 2018 at a Union Trust party I covered.

Nicole Cashman of Cashman & Associates and Jimmy DeLaurentis.
Author Thom Nickels stopped by to wish Jimmy well.
Rick Mead and Tim Gresh

As for who, the event brought out the fashionable crowd, friends, family and Instagram Personalities including Ramillionaire Carr.

James offers a luxury candles and adorable “James” line of bears fashioned from upholstery fabric. Our James Bears are a stylish, yet playful accessory intended to add extra personality and an element of surprise to interiors, a key component of my design philosophy,” said Jimmy DeLaurentis. “Complete with leather collars, the bears are the perfect luxe accessory to add a little bit of my design aesthetic to a space.”

Lori and Brian Gill
Barbara Gall, Jimmy, Marianne Harris and guest.from Art Haus. Last year Jimmy DeLaurentis outfitted a Center City penthouse at Art Haus. (Inquirer) The new 1500 square ft. showroom highlights furniture and accessories from Jimmy’s private label collection. Pieces include upholstered furniture, an assortment of custom pet sofas – made with the same level of detail and quality as the furniture collections. Additional offerings include a full-service interior design studio as well as a curated collection of furnishings and gifts from his favorite designers including Interlude, Joe Cariati, etúHOME, Global Views and more.
 JAMES by Jimmy DeLaurentis
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Photos: Unlocked Client Appreciate Party

Unlocked Team: Sarah Ajodhasingh, Laqun Ruiz, Christopher Gonzalez, Lynsie Feinberg, Max Karasick, Elizabeth Schroeder, Jamie Quinn, Jerome Mangubat, Brandon Witt, Francis Mangubat

Last week Unlocked, Powered by McCann gathered to celebrate their thriving real estate team with Keller Williams Main Line. Taking old-school proven methods, and mixing them with innovative and creative new ways to generate and retain our clients. The mission of Unlocked is to listen to the needs of every client and create a tailored game plan for their real estate goals.

The Unlocked Party was held at the newly opened The Switch House, a Lubert-Adler Real Estate Funds project at the former PECO power plant at 1325 N. Beach St residential/event space The Battery. Cescaphe, a Philadelphia wedding planning company, operates the 25,000-square-foot event space, and the food was as good as you thought it’d be, definitely one of the best in the City.

Christian Best, CEO of Magnum Opus Federal, and Lou D’Ambrosio
Samantha Engler, Owner at The Tidy Life – Professional Organizing, Momin Sheikh, Frankel Management Company (FMC) and Jim Onesti, Studying and practicing my craft (real Estate) since 2000
Jim Onesti, Gabriele Bossi, Tiffany Fasone, Wes Cacone and Steve Verde
Brett Barry, Sam Coratti, and Carly Reighard
Diane DiCicco, Lynsie Feinberg, and Jill Jacobson

Lynsie specializes in luxury real estate sales in both the Philadelphia area and all over South Jersey, including the Jersey Shore. Lynsie launched a real estate career while still running her successful event planning/non profit consultancy, Lynsie Blair Inc.

Brandon Kamin, director of The Nomads and the 2022 Rittenhouse Square starring Nick Nolte, with Jessica Vidal

For more information Scan the QR Code above or head here

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Around Town With HughE

Rivers Casino: PETE DAVIDSON & Rivers Gives Day of Service

Pete Davidson fans will have two chances to see the “Saturday Night Live” alum in Philadelphia. Davidson’s razor-sharp wit and brutally honest comedy will be at Fishtown’s Rivers Casino on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Rush Rewards members can purchase tickets beginning on today, Oct. 18 The public on-sale date is Friday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. He’s 1 degree from every reality show person you want on streaming. No doubt will be spilling the tea on them, and Hollywood.

Speaking of good will towards others, the Rivers Casino team spent yesterday doing good deeds in the community as part of the company wide Five Rivers Casinos in four states join forces for “Rivers Gives Day of Service 2023” on Oct. 17. Through Rivers Gives, each Rivers Casino annually contributes approximately 2,000 volunteer hours per property to local nonprofit partners. In addition to volunteerism, Rivers Gives includes board service, donation drives, in-kind contributions and corporate giving.

For its Day of Service, Rivers Casino Philadelphia teamed up with Temple Health’s Fox Chase Cancer Center. Team Members prepared hundreds of care packages for Fox Chase patients in the casino’s Event Center for delivery to the cancer center’s main campus.

Fox Chase is also Rivers Casino’s Change Makes a Difference program recipient in October, receiving contributions from Team Members and guests throughout the month. A formal check presentation with the month’s donation totals will take place in early November to further celebrate the partnership.

Other highlights of the day include a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk around the property and Penn Treaty Park, health and wellness resource tables for Team Members.

Check out the Rivers Casino Philadelphia website to see what else is happening on property this month, and the coming months. See you at Pete Davidson, he was so good on SNL this past Saturday.

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Photos: “Breathing Room: Journeys of Self-Exploration”

Artists Lance Wiggs, BUCK! , Wesley Clark, with Debbie Morton of Morton Contemporary Gallery

The opening reception of “Breathing Room: Journeys of Self-Exploration” took place earlier this month at Morton Contemporary Gallery 115 S 13th St, in Midtown Village.

“Breathing Room” features the incredible works of lifelong friends Lance Wiggs, Wesley Clark, and BUCK! Each artist explores the process of what it means to create through unique mediums: wooden sculpture, canvas, and graphite mark-making.

Lisa Roberts, Designer, Author, Cut Paper Artist and Natalie Nixon, president of Figure 8 Thinking. A creative strategist.

Family, friends and supporter of art came out to support the show on opening night, which is shown at the Morton Contemporary studio, located down the street from the gallery, above Vintage Bar & Restaurant. It’s a beautiful space, well appointed, nicely lit above the hustle and bustle of the many Midtown Village restaurants.

Dave Fambro and Jasmeen Davis

I love covering art galleries as the most stylish are on the scene. As a people watcher I can’t help to think did Dave match his shoelaces to Jasmeen’s bag. Wish I had asked.

Eli and Jazz Prosper
AJ Martin, Larry Robin (Legend of 13th Street. Forever he had a bookstore called Robin’s where now Barbuzzo is located, when 13th Street was just known as the “red light district” of Philly. He looks great for 86 years), and Gregory T Walker, The Brothers Network
Derrick Weston Brown and Carmen Jenkins
Starfire bringing her fabulous brand of style to Debbie Morton’s Contemporary Gallery

Kevin Lessard and Michael Newmius stopped by

Courtney Clark, Lance Wiggs and friend

The exhibition will be on display at Morton Contemporary Gallery until Nov. 3.

Owner/Curator Debbie Morton: Debbie@MortonContemporary.com

215-735-2800