Author: HughE Dillon

Fall may still be a few weeks away, but calendar Summer ends next Monday. What a great summer I had. I had so much fun. During the pandemic I promised myself I wouldn’t work as hard as we returned to the new normal, but this month I can see the social events are coming back strong, and I am nearly booked every day in September, and a lot of October. But I’m excited to see and capture the joy of folks out enjoying themselves as well as supporting so many great causes. I’m excited to chronicle the social scene again, and see who are the emerging leaders, as well as the scenesters, and scene stealers.

New to Philly: Shiba Russell Fox 29’s Newest Anchor stopped by to visit everyone’s favorite Auntie, Patty Jackson, WDAS radio yesterday. The former anchor at 11Alive (WXIA-TV) in Atlanta, where she was for 6 years, began her on air duties on August 14. Over the weekend, NBC10’s Jacqueline London had dinner with Shiba, to welcome her to Philly. Jacqueline told me she reached out to Shiba. She wanted to show her the best views in Philly, so they headed for JG Skyhigh for a bite to eat Saturday night, then went to Assembly Rooftop. As Jack Harlow would say “First Class!!”

Another stunner to arrive to the Philly area on August 14, was precious baby Athena, who’s mom is well known radio personality Mina “SayWhat” Llona, who you can hear daily on @SIRIUSXMTHEHEAT @RNBPHILLY. I’ve met Mina’s boo, but since she doesn’t say who he is on social I will respect his privacy as well. I couldn’t be happier for the duo. I have had the privilege to know Mina for a few years, and respect her grind. She’s really created a beautiful life and career for herself. Kisses. Where’s my emojis?

As I mentioned, I’ve had a great summer of fun. Dancing, going out, dining and haven’t really walked Walnut Street or other spots to see what’s new. But I feel the cool air coming and will make it back out to the streets and get back to you. I do see we have a Brookelinen 1703 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103. So many great ideas for the nesting and cuffing season. BTW have you heard the new Beyonce Renaissance CD. AMAZING!!! OK I have to run, I have a big project I’m working on today and tomorrow. Love ya HughE

Hello Sunday, August 7, 2022. Yes the middle of the summer already, the dog days for sure with all these heat waves back to back. Did you know the definition of a heat wave is three consecutive days of 90F weather. But for me honestly, I love the summer, the heat, outside and a great summer dress like this gal on the motorbike has on. She was kind enough to pose for a shot I will be posting on my Instagram series, WhatPhillyWore weekend edition, later today.

It’s a wrap for M. Night Shyamalan’s Apple TV series SERVANT, which I am a big fan of on and off the screen and I’m sad.

It’s bittersweet for me as it’s been so fun to photograph the series as it’s been filmed in Center City, specifically Fitler Square, but also in Rittenhouse Square as well as a custom studio Night built in Garnett Valley specifically for the show. It was a complete replica of the house on the 2100 block of Spruce Street. The street was also replicated but on a much smaller scale.

Set in Philadelphia, Servant follows a wealthy area couple who lose a newborn child and subsequently use a lifelike doll to help cope with the trauma amid more sinister, mysterious events. The series’ first season premiered on the Apple TV+ streaming service in November to generally positive reviews, earning an overall rating of 85% on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. (Inky)

I think everyone’s favorite scene was when in Servant Season 2, the 2100 block was turned into a winter wonderland in October, when Philly was in second summer, and the the temps were hitting 80s.

I was so excited to photograph one of the last episodes shot for the series, a few weeks ago. An epic rain storm. Thanks to M Night, and the production for always allowing me to get the shots I needed to share the stories with you, mostly just that they were filming. I have photographed a few of Night’s parties (one at his house, and three M Night Shyamalan Foundation Shyamaween in October), and assured him I wouldn’t reveal “story lines” which I did well, this one was a little tough but I only showed the storm, didn’t get into what was happening. It definitely was a great experience for me as a paparazzo.

As I wrote in June, Fresh from her EGOT achievement, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award winner Jennifer Hudson is coming to Philadelphia to film her next movie “Breathe”. The story follows a mother named Maya (Hudson) and her daughter, who are forced to live underground after Earth is made uninhabitable due to a lack of oxygen.

I got a hot tip that Jennifer was spotted near City Hall filming a scene inside the courtyard.
I arrived and a PA assistant asked me not to take photos. I said I just need a few, and then she walked away. She called her boss over, who then called Jennifer. Jen gave me a nice wave in once scene, and during the break I was able to capture this shot. And then I left. Thanks to my two tipsters. One who told me this filming was going to happen, the other who told me where they were filming. It’s people like that who help keep us in the know to what is going on, what is filming in Center City, Philly and in our area.

On this particular day, Common wasn’t on set. But later in the week I read on deuxmoi IG stories: Jennifer Hudson and Common are in Philadelphia filming a movie. The Chicago natives are filming a new action/sci-fi film titled, Breathe. Someone took a photo of the two and while it is hard to tell if it’s just two friends having a good time or two people really into each other, it is evident they are happy. The source of the photo states, she was cozy and flirty with Common. Lots of cuddling and giggling.

Most of the filming for the sci fi movie is being done in Sun Center Studios in Aston Pa, but don’t be surprised if you see Jennifer Hudson walking around Center City. She’s no stranger to our town.

Hello everyone. I know, I know, I have been very MIA from posting this week. I am however posting a lot of events, and folks on Instagram. Let’s re commit to doing at least 3 blog posts a week. I had a very busy week, went to a few eateries, out dancing, hanging out with friends, enjoying life. Wednesday night I went to the BlackStar Film Festival Opening Party, and it was a blast. I haven’t had time to see any films, but you should as it runs through Sunday. HERE’s The Schedule. The website is so fun too.

BlackStar Projects, the premier organization celebrating visionary Black, Brown, and Indigenous film and media artists, kicked off the 2022 BlackStar Film Festival in Philly on Wednesday August 2, 2022 .

With over 70 films, premiers, panels, parties, workshops and yoga sessions the festival runs through August 7th, 2022.

Taking place both online and in-person in Philadelphia, this year’s festival will include in-person screenings at Penn Live Arts at Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; panel discussions, workshops, and parties at sites across Philadelphia; and virtual events accessible to a global audience.

Thanks to Jermaine Jenkins for taking a few photos as I mingled and danced. Photos as marked.

There’s more movies tonight, plus every night at 7PM they host the Daily Jawn at the Prince Theater in Center City, for a re cap of the movies and hot topics. There are two more parties left to attend, tonight at the Barnes Museum and then the closing night party at Annenberg Plaza BlackStar Film Festival.
Check out more photos at CBSPhilly, and shortly Sunday’s Phila Tribune online.

Resources for Human Development (RHD) hosted their annual fun -raiser Philly Pours back in-person this year! This years theme was a fun-filled night under the big top on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 6 pm. Guests were greeted with a fun and whimsical circus theme at City Winery located in the Philadelphia Fashion District. This year’s event featured corks (wine) and crafts (craft beer) to indulge your senses.

There was a roving magician to delight the crowd with the sleight of hand tricks. ( I love a good party, especially a themed party)

The party benefits.RHD provides a array of children’s services that support around 1,000 children in need each year:

• RHD Stepping Stones is a long-term partial hospital program for children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
• RHD Children’s Outreach Services Program (COSP) is an intensive community-based services to emotionally or developmentally challenged youth less than 21 years old
• RHD Early Intervention provides home and community-based treatment for infants/toddlers with an early medical diagnosis or developmental delays.
• RHD School Therapeutic Services is an intensive, short-term behavioral health service offered in selected schools in the Philadelphia School District.
• RHD High Fidelity Wraparound works with youth who are first offenders and have a history of serious behavioral health issues, ages 10-17 years old.

The evening started out with a wine/beer tasting event held in the wine cellar of City Winery.

Resources for Human Development is a national human services nonprofit that supports more than 160 human service programs across the country, serving tens of thousands of people every year with caring and effective programs addressing intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health, homelessness, addiction recovery and more.

Philly Pours benefits RHD’s mission to support people of all abilities with effective, innovative, and person-centered programs—addressing behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), addiction recovery, children and families, and people experiencing homelessness.

This year RHD is supporting the Anthropology campaign, here is the link: