Stacy Stec, Marketing Manager at LOL Entertainment (the parent company of Museum of Illusions) , Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District, Rob Cooper, CEO of LOL Entertainment, ,Sheila Hess, City Representative for the City of Philadelphia and Jason Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at LOL Entertainment
A magical mystery museum opened this past weekend in Old City, the new 5000 square foot Museum of Illusions officially opened at 4th and Market ; it boasts 80+ visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereo-grams, optical illusions, immersive rooms and special Philly installations unique to this location.
Jonathan Benjamin. Chief Executive Officer at Museum of Illusions, Councilman Mark Squilla and Jason Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at LOL Ente
“We are very excited to be bringing the Museum of Illusions to Philadelphia and happy to be able to provide the city with such an engaging and exciting new museum concept,” said Rob Cooper, Philadelphia native and founder of LOL Entertainment, the parent company of the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia. “We are confident that people of all ages will love seeing and experiencing the Museum’s unique illusions and exhibits.”
I had a ball
Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District is just hanging around in the Anti-Gravity Room
Michael Newmuis, COS Visit Philly “climbs” a Philadelphia row home at the Museum of Illusions.
The Museum of Illusions MOI is for all ages and offers visual and educational exhibits designed to tease the senses. Visitors will learn about vision, perception, and the human brain and experience firsthand the science of how the eyes can trick the mind.
Janelle Burrell the morning and noon co-anchor of CBS3 Eyewitness News hung out for a bit.
We weren’t sure how this exhibit worked, until Ray suddenly ran into the adjoining room and crawled through a tunnel popping up for a feast for our eyes.
Last night was one of the first big events the City (in person) has held since the pandemic. With socially distancing in mind, the City closed streets on the north side of City Hall, so folks could spread out as they choose. AND IT WAS FABULOUS. I’ve experienced the tree lighting for many years, in City Hall Courtyard, at Love Park, on the West side of City Hall and now a few times on the North side, always kinda tight because the lighting of the tree is like watching fireworks but you can be close. The production was great, this year they had a sponsor, friends section to the left of the staging area, and Philadelphians still had the best viewing spot in front of the stage, spread out along the street, and at the elevated MSB plaza.
The MSB area was sponsor village, where guests enjoyed giveaways from generous sponsors, including Boston Market, (they had a cool photo booth) Wawa (I had a few too many cookies) , Primark had a spin the wheel where guests could win pens, stickers, ear buds or a tote bag, HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD gave out kisses,
NRG gave out really cute lit Santa hats *BTW the holiday tree is powered by NRG., aren’t those hats cute?
The folks behind the scenes – Brenda Goldsmith, hands on producer of Philly Holidays, as well as so many parades and activations in the country, Sheila Hess, City Representative who’s office produced the tree lighting and Michael DelBene, President & Chief Executive of Wawa Welcome America and Philly Holidays. 2nd photo Robert Nonemacker, City Reps Office, Events and Special Projects Manager
Thanks for posing for me!!
Brandon Mandia, Christie Mandia, Director of Marketing & Special Projects for Boston Market, and Jackie Koller, Chatterblast
6ABC’s Rick Williams and Cecily Tynan, hosted the tree lighting
Thanks to CBSPhilly for our media partnership for over 4 years now. I couldn’t have made it through the pandemic without them, helping me spread the word on the good news of Philly.
Bruce Shannon, Michelle Shannon, Vice President of Marketing & Communications of Center City District and friend.
Kevin Lessard,Communications Director at the City of Philadelphia,, and Michael Newmuis, Visit Philly, Chief of Staff – Visit Philadelphia
Joy Harris, American Sign Language Interpreter for Philadelphia, Michael Harris, Director of Marketing & Special Projects for the Philadelphia Phillies
Then on Saturday December 4, 2021: It’s the
Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade
The Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade is perfect event for all Philadelphians looking for some holiday cheer! This inclusive parade will feature floats representing Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and Christmas, with performances by local marching bands, cold air balloons of your favorite holiday characters, and much more. The parade starts in Old City at 2nd and Market, and goes towards City Hall. Any spot is a great spot to watch from, but definite stop by Primark, do some early shopping, enjoy music spinning by DJ, and take a chance on winning gift cards for shopping at Primark. Look out for the Boston Market Unity Float, and for moi as I will be giving out $5 off Boston Market coupons for use in their stores in our area. Give me a shout out and I’ll take your photo and you might see if here, or in my column at CBSPhilly.
The Halloween spirit is in full swing in our area, especially at the Philadelphia Zoo. First of all have you seen the Zoo’s PR Kory Aversa’s viral video with the hippos eating pumpkins. Look for the link at the bottom of this entry. This past weekend, Saturday specifically I stopped by to visit the hippos, giraffes, and especially the penguins with a whole bunch of people, many who were dressed in fun, spooky costumes for Boo at the Zoo. It was so nice to see so many smiling faces, and happy people enjoying America’s First Zoo.
You still have 2 more weekends left to enjoy Boo at the Philly Zoo October 23-24 and 29-31, 2021, families are invited to enjoy Philadelphia Zoo and enjoy an open-air Halloween celebration that features fall plants and foliage, spooky kid-friendly decorations, not-scary extinction graveyard, photo opportunities, and special treats.
Kids receive Trick or Treat bags when they enter.
They go to candy/gift stations through out the zoo and pick up treats.
Which reminds ,me, have you ordered your Thanksgiving Dinner yet? Boston Market has a great deal!! I had it last year, it was so easy. Comes precooked you just have to heat it up !!
October 7, 2021 was a celebration of the reopening of the Philadelphia Art Alliance at University of the Arts, which had largely been closed during the pandemic. It included UArts leadership, its board of trustees and the many donors who supported the first two phases of improvements to the alliance. The evening cocktail party was held in the newly renovated first-floor galleries and meeting space, as well as in the garden.
Founded by artists in 1915 and located in the former Wetherill Mansion on Rittenhouse Square, the Philadelphia Art Alliance is considered one of the first multidisciplinary art spaces in the U.S. Its remarkable legacy includes presenting the work of visionary writers, composers, dancers, musicians, sculptors and architects from Igor Stravinksy to Gertrude Stein to Diego Rivera, among many other luminaries.
In 2018, the celebrated Philadelphia Art Alliance merged with the University of the Arts uniting two century-old institutions as the Philadelphia Art Alliance at the University of the Arts. Its new name: Philadelphia Art Alliance at the University of the Arts.
President David Yager, president and CEO of uArts, and Jud Aaron, Board of Trustees for the University of the Arts greets the supporters, friends and thanks them for their help in renovating the building.
Ralph Citino ,Lawrence Taylor, Eleanor Davis, Suzanne and Ron Naples
John Medveckis and Patricia Fowler
Dr.Bettyruth Walter, and Julie Curson
-John Fry, Carol Graney and Jud Aaron
Gregory Segall, Joe Aristone, and Jack Soloff Jr.
Larry and Harriet Weiss, Ronald Gross and Sandra Taub
Thanks to Andre Flewellen for shooting. For more background on the Art Alliance, and University of the ArtsCommon Field Phila Inquirer Sorry I missed you yesterday, it’s been very busy this week, which is great. You can always follow along on Instagram, in my stories as that’s where I report current, as it happens in my life stuff. Hello to the 127 new followers since the beginning of October. Most of youse came over from Instagram, and I appreciate it. Here on PhillyChitChat we go much more into depth about the events we cover with links so you can easily read about them as well. Otherwise see you tomorrow for more ChitChat. Thanks so much!! HughE
In the past few months people have been yearning to go out , and we here at Philly Chit Chat have been very busy photographing many of the hot and happening events. Thanks to team photographer Andre Flewellen for capturing the opening of Commonweal Art Gallery earlier this month. Let’s see who made left their leggings at home and came to check out this new art gallery.
The arts scene in Philadelphia continues to grow with the opening of Commonweal which happened October 1st, 2021. The gallery features emerging and mid-career Philadelphia artists and designers from across the city’s creative communities. The artists for Commonweal’s inaugural program were chosen because their work focuses on social and cultural themes important to our city and its residents while remaining engaged with evolving national and global conversations. The works of featured designers form a capsule collection of objects exclusive to the gallery. The designers have engaged their material expertise to create an array of unique functional objects whose quality and thoughtfulness are intended to enrich their user’s daily experience through their use.
Photo on Right: Caitlin Clark, Alec Conner, Owner of Commonweal Gallery and Priyanka Setty
Kate Marlys, Philly PR Girl and Andrianna Acosta check out the art at Commonweal Gallery located at 1607 Latimer Street, 19103 featuring feature G. Farrel Kellum and Warith Taha
Sitting Pretty: Gabrielle Ochoco, and Sabir Peele,Men Style Pro
Alec Conner, chats with creators Dan Tague, multi-media artist and Olivia Verdugo, Founder and Designer at C R U S H
October featured designer is C R U S Hstudio, an ongoing materials collaboration between Jenna Robb and Olivia Verdugo. They have created the Grounding Cushion, an object that is intended to reduce stress and refocus on the present moment through touch, for the gallery’s capsule design collection.
Making the scene is Ian Michael Crumm, and Toni Leslie, who had stepped away for a bit to explore lives other offerings, but the pandemic has brought them back to the Philly scene . I have a feeling we’ll see more of these two creatives in the near future. Plus Happy Birthday this week Ian!!
For more information, you can also follow Commonweal on their Instagram and Facebook pages. For press inquiries and/or media requests, please contact Katerina@PhillyPRGirl.com.
Get ready for the most festive social event of the year! Resources for Human Development (RHD) will host the highly anticipated Main Line Wine Gala, following COVID-19 guidelines, on Thursday, September 30 th at the beautiful Appleford Estate in Villanova, PA. The Main Line Wine Gala showcases the world’s most exclusive winemakers in an event that benefits RHD’s innovations in human services. RHD is a national human services organization that creates effective, quality services in person-centered, trauma-informed programs across the country.
RHD reached a milestone in 2020 and turned 50 years old! It continues to celebrate 50 years of delivering the highest quality services to people of all abilities, in a values driven environment built around the respect for the dignity and worth of the people it supports. Each year, RHD supports tens of thousands of adults, children, and families in need. The people served rely on the generosity of supporters who believe that every person should be treated with dignity and be given the opportunity to develop their fullest potential.
Your support of this year’s Main Line Wine Gala will benefit The Center for Creative Works, La Casa, and future RHD initiatives that impact the communities they serve. The Center for Creative Works is a unique art studio focusing on developing creative workplace potential and cultural identity for people with intellectual disabilities. La Casa provides safe, transitional housing for at-risk young adults who are experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges.
Main Line Wine Gala Goes Al Fresco! Thursday, September 30 th at 6:00 p.m. Appleford Estate 770 Mt. Boro Road Villanova, PA 19085 Cost – $400 per person For More Information & Tickets: https://www.mainlinewinegala.com/tickets-2.
COVID-19 Regulations & Guidance Resources for Human Development (RHD) will continue to follow all current State of PA and CDC guidelines to maintain the safety and well-being of our event guests, staff, and volunteers. Any changes in COVID-19 protocols will be communicated directly to guests. EVENT CONTACT Torrina M. Bennett-Michael, RHD Director of Development, 267-279-4295 or torrina.bennett-michael@rhd.org.
