Category: Philadelphia

 Last night I caught Les Misérables at the Academy. It was the first time I saw it. I love musicals and plays, but for some reason I just never saw the play that everyone in the world has seen nearly as many times as Phantom of the Opera, which I have seen about 4 times. (For the record I’ve seen Wicked 5 times, Rent about 7 times)

I got a tip that Captain America Chris Evans was at Opening Night last night with his girlfriend Minka Kelly. it must have been super low key, cause hardly a peep is on twitter. Thanks to a tipster who sent me the pix above.  I’m guessing that the duo was there to see a friend in the play in Philadelphia, as they already saw the movie a month ago according to Chris’ tweet “Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway” And you know what was amazing, the movie is out. It’s #3 at the Box Office and the place was SOLD OUT. It’s a fan favorite. There are still a few tickets left, and you’ll recognize the songs. Mike came home and played, on Youtube, “I Dreamed a Dream” by every conceivable artist. Now I’m humming it.

Carly Aquino got this shot of Chris Evans and tweeted, I think he was with his girlfriend. The play was great, very epic and more than just about someone stealing bread. I was surprised at how quickly the nearly 3 hour musical zipped by. The cast was phenomenal, and the audience gave them 3 standing ovations. I hadn’t been to the Academy in awhile, and couldn’t remember how the seats were. They were nice, and much roomier on the ends, for us hefty people who didn’t start our New Year’s Resolutions yet. Check out Les Miz at the Academy of Music which runs through January 13th.

Oh I forgot this gem from moi and Laura Burkhardt’s annual drive through NJ to see Christmas lights. This house was on Mercer Street in Cherry Hill. He had a nice disco ball on the porch.

 So excited to be invited to The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation tent to watch the annual SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.

If you’re a long time reader of PCC, you know I love fireworks. Every year I watch both sets of the New Year’s shows. It was fun to see it from this angle ie right in front of them. Great to see fun people too. It was the first time I photographed an event since 12/20, I was a little rusty – LOL Check out PhillyMag.com today to see who I saw where.

 After the Penns Landing Fireworks, I headed over to a charity event to photograph it’s cocktail party. Then to Jen Carroll’s New New Year’s Eve Party at the Waterfront Square Condos. Every condo has a view of the City and water. Love them.

 Jen’s condo faces north, but this is the view you see from the balcony and living room windows. Spectacular.

 Sunny, moi and Jen trying to symbolize 2013.  I know I got the O’s down, but what are they doing.

 New Year’s Day. I love the parade, but much rather shoot the people watching the parade. This year I felt the crowds were down a bit. I think people had party fatigue since most folks were off work for nearly 2 weeks before New Years Day, and some had to work on 1/2

 Oh those Froggy Mummers. This guy fell down and had a hand injury I was told. What you can’t see well are the huge smiles on both the Froggy faces. What a bummer of a day to be carted away from the party.

Fail, Fail, Fail. The bleachers and crowds in front of the Union League. I don’t mind the bleachers, but they should not let people stand behind them leaving a one person path. It’s dangerous and it’s a slow move. I Instagrammed this shot and called it “Bottoms Up”

 Inside the Kimmel Center. They have a wonderful tradition of opening up so folks can use the bathrooms, get warm, and enjoy free performances. Oh and did I mention the hot chocolate and Garces snacks.

 Don’t forget these shows coming:
   
PIFA 2013 (March 28-April 27) tickets go on sale Jan. 23 to public
http://www.pifa.org/

·        
Le Miz 25th anniversary production should be on everyone’s To Do this New Year  (Jan. 2-Jan. 13)
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=4396

·        
And, comedian Louis CK performance at the Merriam, Jan 16-18, is another hot ticket item you don’t want to miss
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=4581

·        
*New
show added: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Merriam, Jan. 30,
program includes Philly native hip hop choreographer Rennie Harris’ Home;
and Philly Premiere of new work, Takademe, by Robert Battle, the
new artistic director of Alvin Ailey making his debut in Philly with
the African American modern dance group.

 

 Every year they put up a Resolution Wall. It’s very popular, and every one seems to air their resolution laundry. I felt it was too personal, I’ll just share mine on Twitter and here.

 They leave it up for a month or so, so you can run down there and get an idea of what others are going to do to make the world a better place. I like the one that say “come to the Kimmel Center more.” More fun in 2013 – I want to be their friend. “Do better at math.” and my favorite “Live in the Moment.”

 Mine is to buy a new camera, this Nikon D7000 is killing me. Do you see how it back focuses. Ugh. I’m sending it back. Anyway this is Hilda Bacon and avatar?

 Finally I headed over to the Schade’s annual New Year’s Mummers Watching Party. I ran into this folks in the lobby who read PhillyChitChat and watch me on Fox 29. Hi!!

Happy New Year mates, and welcome back to the new year, refreshed, renewed and rested PhillyChitChat/HughE Dillon. So excited to cover Philly for you, in addition to giving you tidbits about our fair City as well as the folks who live or work here. Remember to also follow me on Twitter (iPhillyChitChat), Instagram (PhillyChitChat) and subscribe to FB Philly ChitChat, as I am at the capacity of 5000 followers. Thanks, onward….

Executive Leaders Radio,  hosted their 2nd annual CEO Philanthropy Awards breakfast to
recognize which recognized 20 CEO’s for their leadership, devotion and commitment to their
communities. These awards not only recognize their devotion to
supporting their communities by giving back, it also looks at how they
themselves have been role models within their companies and communities.
The event was held at the Navy Yard on December 4, 2013 (and as I explained last week I got a little behind with my updates. None the less this event is timeless and all about the generosity of others.)

Richard Cohen, Withum Smith & Brown and Anthony Mongeluzo, Pro Computer Services and Gary Bagin, Stradley Ronon

 

This husband wife team are not only philanthropic, by creative too. What an enjoyable speech they gave on business sense and giving back. So funny too. Marty Tuzman/Jenkintown Building Service and Eileen Heisman/National Philanthropic Trust 

 Torpey White, Director | Governance, Risk & Compliance & Service Organization Elko & Co, Carl Webster, Easter Seals and Ron Clarke, Century 21 received an Executive Leaders Radio CEO Philanthropy Award!

Caitlin Crowe,  Manager, Donor Development and Special Events – The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Anthony Falco,CEO and President, Strategic Wealth Management and Strategic Benefits Group. Falco was Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of The Year raising the most money for the organization in 2012.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! What an amazing year I’ve had. My business and brand just exploded and I was swamped. A wonderful thing especially in this economy. It’s so sad that our country is taking so long to recover, and it’s so sad what’s going on in society. Sometimes it’s hard for me to write about people, and glamorous events with so much strife in the world, but my friend Phyllis tells me people want an escape, they want happy, they love the local angle on life that I write about. So I will keep on keeping on. Thank you for all your support over these past five years and giving PCC it’s best year ever with nearly 1.5 million views in 2012.

 

What a great year of celebrations for this milestone. Thank you to Cashman & Associates for throwing the 5th Anniversary PhillyChitChat party and for the nearly 250 that came out to support it. Thank You Reserve Steakhouse for committing to my party, I was sad they closed a few days later. I had so many people contact me to throw parties there as they loved the space. I couldn’t understand why they were contacting me (I was away at the time) and then I read they went out of business.  There’s one final event coming up 1/16/13 at Replica Creative. It’s a retrospect of photos I’ve taken over the past 5 years of YOU. So I hope you’ll come by. 33 s 18th Street 6PM – 8PM Wed 1/16/12.

Here are a few of the photos and events I attended this year. The Barnes Opening. I love the building, I love the event space, I love the grounds, I’ve never toured the art exhibit except in it’s old home in Merion. This year I’ll make sure I check it out.

 

Padraic Jacob Maroney had a fun 30th birthday party at the Vesper Boat House, and invited his family and friends. He’s been a long time movie critic for Edge Philadelphia, and the evening had a movie theme to it. He created this poster of himself for his friends to sign. I just love it.

 Hopeless romantic Erin Elmore finds met the love of her life, Craig Spitzer, through friends.

 Congratulations to Jill Rizen and Andy Hennig on their marriage over the weekend in Miami, here with Elaine Graber.

 take an exercise class. If you haven’t met the guy or
gal of your dreams yet, you need to add some new friends to your life.
There’s a whole new pool of possibilities. Go out with that new friend
who says lets get a drink together, or have coffee. That’s how I did it.
You meet, they meet your friends you meet their friends and who knows
what could come of it.

 Nearly every morning I capture the sunrise from my living room window. i post the shots on Twitter & Facebook, and my newly discovered Instagram. Follow me on Instagram at PhillyChitChat

 Jason Cichonski (Ela) getting a smooch from his biggest
fan Nicole with Ilana Waber and Sam “is that an IPhone in your Pocket”
Shoap. Check out my full column in Philly Mag coverage of the event HERE

 Thanks to the producer & director – Tommy Oliver (l) of 1982  (with Hill Harper (C) and Wayne Brady (r) for allowing me to photograph the film set in West Mt Airy, this past summer (it was one of those 100F days too.) When they broke for lunch I got a tip about Miley & Liam eating at Capital Grill and I hurried to Center City to capture them leaving on their 2nd day in the City. That was a great day for me.

 What an awesome year of film making and paparazzi shots for me. So much fun, and just a little stress.

 

So nice to get to know Alicia Vitarelli this year, with husband Matthew Pantaleno, Kristen Insalaco, Weber Shandwick/Revel Resorts, 6 ABC anchor Brian Taff, and producer Mara Webb Taff.  Highlight of my year was being one of three photographers (no other photogs shot the event) hired to shoot the opening weekend at Revel Resorts with Beyonce in concert. Beyonce & Jay Z like to review the photos before they got sent out to the press. Photographer Kevin Mazur (WireImage) told me he took 3000 pixs of Beyonce the first night of her opening concert at Revel, and after the review he was only allowed to release 6 to his agency, but they were spectacular. (I submit my celeb pixs to WENN. The photo above did not go there. I actually took it on my pocket camera just for my own memory. Beyonce is an amazing performer.) (unpublished til now)

Chris Gabello never takes himself seriously, but he does take his work very seriously.  We’re going to miss him here in Philly, as many high profile clients in NYC saw his photography talent and has whisked him away. He’ll still have a studio here in Center City, staffed with lots of talented photographers, but he’ll be doing most of his work up in the Big Apple where he and his wife Krista now live.(We started in the biz at the same time, and I will always treasure those first growing years.) (unpublished)

 

 Thanks to all my clients whether you hired me or advertised with PCC. January 2 will be my 2 year anniversary of monetizing the blog with advertisements and by being hired to shoot events (When you hire me, you get to keep the photos and I’ll also write your event up here on PCC). Before that my blog was a hobby as I had a job as a paralegal. When I was laid off I pursued my hobby as a job. I was unsure if someone could money that way as there weren’t very many people who did. For me it was like the book said. Do something you love, and the money will follow. It’s great to do something you love, and make money while doing it. I wish everyone could do it. It makes life so much more enjoyable. I would at least recommend you find a hobby you love.(unpublished)

 This is my absolute favorite photo in 2013 of PhillyChitChat. Butch Cordova was doing a promo for Boconcept furniture on Chestnut Street by living in their store window. Each day someone from a different decade would visit him. I stopped by for the ’80s with Jade Starling. I pinch myself that I know Jade Starling, I was clubbing in the ’80s and I danced night after night to some of Jade Starling & Pretty Poison’s songs. So many great memories there. In 2013 she has a new dance CD coming out called “Dance Revolution” Also Jade Starling performed at one of the many parties people threw PhillyChitChat this year. Thanks to Noel Zayas and Garden Wellington for putting that shindig on for me.
(BTW Gabello shot Butch’s 2008 Straight & Gay Calendar)

Joseph Neubauer, former chief executive of food services giant Aramark, and Aileen Roberts, who is actively involved in the community and Philadelphia philanthropy, received the Philadelphia Award for their work on the new Barnes on the Parkway.- The Philly Post – HughE Dillon Joseph Neubauer checking out his award as Aileen Roberts gives her acceptance speech. (shot with natural light. This is definitely one of my favorite shots – unpublished)

 Made in America’s Anheuser Busch Clydesdale come to Fairmount. This is the owner of Bishop’s Colalr. (unpublished)

I was honored to be in Maria Papadakis’ wedding, but I struggled with the decision as I wanted to capture every joyous moment of the day, like when she exited the limo at the church. I was able to sneak out the door of the church and capture this on my pocket camera before the wedding planner yelled at me. It’s one of my favorites of the day.

Happy New Year, and thanks for all your support not only here at PhillyChitChat, but my other media outlets:  Follow me on Twitter @iPhillyChitChat for the latest celebrity sightings, events to attend, and interesting tidbits. Then look for the photos & story on PhillyChitChat.com, in my columns on PhillyMag.com (The Scene), Liberty City Press & Philly.com (Out & About) or check out my Society/Celeb segments on Fox 29’s Good Day Philly. Check out the sidebar for things to do today and tonight. Also check out my other entry today for Mummers info, including the live stream for those who want to watch from home.

As I explained yesterday I am so behind, but this is the perfect time to read about the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau annual luncheon or “The Meet Up”, which is held the day before Thanksgiving. I am thrilled every year when I get my invitation to this very exclusive “hospitality” event. You really have to be in the biz to get invited, it’s not a press event per se, but since I work with so many of the people that are invited (ie am pitched by) I’m in heaven as I can hear all about the upcoming plans for the new year and either tuck that info away on my appointments calendar, or give it to you right here, right now. 

Jack Ferguson, president and chief executive at the PHLCVB has ushered in a lot of great ideas since taking the reigns of the organization 2 years ago. Including changing the concept of the annual event. For years it was a sit down shin dig, but last year and continuing this year it’s a cocktail party, where lunch is served, but not in a formal fashion. Most people just sit down for the “program” part of the day towards the end. It’s the best kind of networking event I’ve ever been too. Everyone in the room has a chance to mingle with each other for about 2 hours before the program.

This year, there were very few speakers. Just three, and even though Ahmeenah Young, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority was in attendance her message came via video, as did Mayor Nutter. Only Jack Ferguson, spoke (see pix above), and it was brief. I think the message was all around the room, the buzz, the PHL monikor and the wonderful graphics created by Replica Creative.

Did you see the “modern renaissance” signage through out the
venue during the luncheon. It’s a new marketing effort by the agency is
centered on the idea of
encouraging its partners — including government agencies, nonprofit
organizations, corporations, colleges and universities — to help
promulgate its stories about Philadelphia as a “modern renaissance
city.” The agency is calling those open-source aspects of the effort
unusual, if not unique. (Footnote 1)

The Replica Creative Team: Larry Guiffa (He came up with the concept of my new business cards, as well as the cool lanyard I wear around my neck.)

Plus they created the step and repeat for my 5th Anniversary Party in September [that’s my trainer, Steve “HofFIT” Hoffman  from the Sporting Club that’s finally going to give me the body I want, but he has to yell at me to want it more – LOL).

 

Phila Business Journal: Pat Awling and Abbie Siegel-Greenberg (My LTR Mike went to Drexel with her and was roommates after college. Plus Abbie is the founder of Career Wardrobe. I remember when she started it.)

Laura Burkhardt, what a year that gal has had. She started her own business, sold advertisements for PCC, represented many retail businesses connected people, she’s a rain maker. In the end she was lured back to Where Magazine where she had previously worked for 8 years here in Philadelphia. She’s as happy as ever, doing what she loves, connecting business with tourists. We are good friends, but if you’ve been reading me forever you know I used to read Where Magazine even before I was PCC. I wish it was offered on the news stand, but you have to get it at a hotel, or visitor center. They do have a quarterly magazine done with the Center City District which is distributed to businesses. It’s a good read on what’s going on. (BTW anyone want to advertise on PCC, write me. I have a healthy 5,000 readers daily, 10,000 twitter followers, 7,000 FB friends) Mickey Rowley and Richard Bonds are doing great things at Top of the Tower. It’s a great space to rent, wonderful views of the City, and skyline. This year they participated in SIPS, and it was packed. Definitely a gem spot. Judy Ellis-Taylor, Director/Sales & Marketing – Hyatt. Lots of fun events and dining opportunities coming up in 2013

Keish Bapp-Jordan, Mariska K. Bogle, doing lots of fun things you will read about in 2013, Karen A. Lewis Executive Director of Avenue of the Arts (Tells me to look for the North Broad St to come alive in 2013. New trees, lights and excitement), Toni Crawford Major, Greta Greenberger, City Hall Tour Director Rm 121 – go take the tour, you will learn something about the grand building and be amazed. (Did you know I was a volunteer tour guide there for about 10 yrs.)

Brent Martin, general manager of Four Seasons Resort (He spent 5 years at the Four Seasons Resort – Koh Samui, Thailand before coming to Philly), Christia Donohue, Director of Public Relations at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and David Lipson, president of Metro Corp. (I’ve never seen him without a smile on his face)

Rebecca Morley,Vice President at Devine + Partners and Kim Hallman, Account Supervisor at Devine + Partners – Expertise. Every Time. That’s our mantra. That’s our belief. That’s our promise.

Paul Steinke, GM at Reading Terminal Market Sarah Levitsky,  Marketing and Events Manager at Reading Terminal Market with Chatterblasters: Evan Urbania, Principal at ChatterBlast Media and Matt Ray, Co-Founder and Principal of ChatterBlast Media

Shelvia Williams, Logistics and Program Manager at Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Cari Feiler Bender wants you to know: The
Delaware River Waterfront Corporation produces the annual SugarHouse
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront, continuing the New Year’s
Eve tradition with twice the fireworks and twice the fun at 6 pm and
midnight on December 31.  Both free shows will be choreographed to
unique soundtracks and launched from barges in the middle of the
Delaware River with clear views from both Philadelphia and Camden, with
free viewing areas and broadcast soundtrack in each location.    Plus go skating at www.riverrink.com. TIL MARCH 3!!   (Thank you SugarHouse – xo HughE)    

 

Flower Show in 2013: The word is “Brilliant!” In 2013, the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will
glow with the majestic beauty and creative genius of Great Britain, and
pay tribute to centuries of inspiring, influential culture – culminating
in the urbane design of 21st-century London.March 2 – 10. Jeff Liebreich, Stefanie Edwards and Dan Moise.

Robert Mendelson, Philadelphia Tribune, Charmine Murrell, Top of the Tower and Steven Scott Bradley, Steven Bradley, Chairman, African American Chamber of Commerce

The Girls of Delilah. Up top in the blue is my girl Angela. If I were straight she’d be richer. 1st row: Regine, Claire, Jesi, Melissa and Rosalia.

It’s like the meeting of the round table. I bet a lot of good conversation went on here with the likes of Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown, Janie Blackwell and A Bruce Crawley.

,

Jim Werner, Director of Tourism Partnerships at Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and Mike Sheridan. Mike is now teaching at Temple University’s school of tourism. You’ll recall he was at GPTMC too (an where these two met & fell in love), which markets the City to tourism and has had a fantastic run with the “With Love” campaign. Nothing compares with how the message that moniker sends out to the world.  Check out Jim with the Polish Stringband on New Year’s Eve. He’s been marching with them for over a decade. Remember a few years back when he did the Where Magazine cover with The Bacon Brothers.

 

Three Behind the Scenes Influencers: James Curato, president and CEO of the Visitors Center Corporation, Margaret Hughes, Deputy City Rep and Scott Mirkin, Executive Producer of the Philly 4th of July Jam, starring The Roots and guests, plus MADE IN AMERICA

then we headed to the after parties.

 

 First it’s downstairs to Circ at the Marriott

Jared Orth, Michele Lam, PhillyMag Marketing, Eric Caldarale, Mike Fanelle, Ashley Micori and Kevin Mazzucola, Executive Director at Auto Dealers CARing For Kids Foundation (Thanks to the Auto Show Peeps for donating a pair of tickets to the show for the Gilda’s Club auction in honor of my sister) The Auto Show is coming up 1/19/13, but you have to come to the black tie event, it is so much fun, and it’s for a good cause to boot.

 

Footnote 1 Source
Footnote 2 Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Fun at uwishunu Source

**(PS I might write another blog entry before the year’s out, I have so much content still.)

Oh boy I got so behind in December, as I sometimes do. Too much Miley, too many breaking stories, and in my defense sometimes I try to get them in my other media outlets and I have to wait for yea or nay go ahead and then I get behind. For the next few days I will be publishing a few very important parties that fell under one of those categories.

Morton & Rudolph owners are old friends, and by that I met them during my college years, lost touch and found them again this year. Sharon DeAngelis, sister Suz and I went to Wesley College, Dover De, together. On the weekends she’d crash at Sharon’s apartment in Voorhees, she was dating Jack DeAngelis at the time, and I lived nearby in Cherry Hill (I do regret not staying at college on the weekends now, even though we had a blast.) At some point I introduced Suz to my high school friend, and they went off and got hitched and I fell down the rabbit hole. Jumped to 2012 and we reconnected again, so fun.

 

 They had a holiday party for their friends and customers early in December. The place was packed. I was in and out as I was heading to the Chuck Peruto bash in Center City. Cindy DiPietrantonio, Greater Philadelphia Area – Chief Operating Officer at The Jones Group and Peter Vetrano

On the far right is Debbie Cooney, Petals & Blooms, Marlton. Debbie changed careers about 4 years ago from nurse to florist. Was trained at Longwood Gardens, and created this beautiful piece, which this picture does no justice.

I’m hanging with the family in Charlotte NC, theBateman family, Mike and I checked out the ginger
bread contest at the local Ballentine Hotel Oh btw I am blogging this from my phone the layout is lousy, but the photos are cool, I think.  Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful Christmas, and for those of you who don]t celebrate the holiday, best wishes for a wonderful day spending it with family, friends and the traditions that you celebrate. I can’t thank you all enough for supporting me in my writings, blogs, photo columns, twitter and now I’m doing instagram. My name is PhillyChitChat on instagram. Alot of the pixs I instagram I don;t put here on {PCC but I do put on FB & Twitter. See you on Wed. I’ll still be in Charlotte, but I’ll put something up. Thanks again. HughE

Bo and Michael right after they sang Christmas Carols to the residents at a nursing home

Next year someone in Philly has to do a contest like this, and it has to be a week or two long display, closer to Christmas. The crowds were amazing, and it’s become a real tradition at the hotel. Then people stay for hot chocolate and dessert. It was very nice.

 My sister Crista told me it would be the last time she takes the kids to see the display on an empty stomach

First place below, it was made of gingerbread and pretzels for the roof and siding. Merry Christmas!!