Category: Uncategorized

ChitChat: Engaged, Babies, Ocean 8, Keenan and Shawn Wayans

Hey Chit Chat Peeps, sorry about yesterday. Sorry I keep apologizing about missing posts on Chit Chat. Even though they might not appear here, everyday I have columns on other outlets and stories on Fox 29 and/or CBSPhilly. Years ago I could do it all, but in the last year or so I started enjoying sleep.

Oh my dark roots Reese Witherspoon is bringing back Elle Woods in Legally Blonde 3, and they already have an opening day VDay 2020

You don’t have to wait that long for another women empowering movie – Ocean’s 8 opens today with a stellar cast which includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway and Rhianna to name a few. I caught a preview on Monday night, and it was funny, clever and far fetched but enjoyable. Before heading over to the Prince Theater, I capture a few inspiring Philly women at an intimate cocktail party held by Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office at Del Frisco’s Steakhouse. Spotted there this week: Malcolm Jenkins Wednesday night (on his way out he posed for a fan when asked), as well as Geno Vento and friends after they caught a screening on the film Gotti with John Travolta. I’ll have more on the movie and Travolta in town on Sunday’s ChitChat.
Congrats to Lauren Bushby and Johnny Oakes on their engagement

Congrats Amber Joi and Tommy on the birth of their beautiful baby girl – Celine!!

Finished: I love PhillyWord Art. These guys are so talented and clever. They create art using words associated with events, places and memories. Here’s Citizen Bank Park word are with the names of every Phillies player EVER, handwritten. THAT is crazy, & clever. Check them out here.

Heartbroken and Finished

 Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, is ending it’s Bastille Day. This year is their 24th and final Bastille Day celebration with a monumental farewell tour, to be held Saturday, July 14, 2018. A spokesperson says “As sad as we are to see it go, Bastille Day is extremely resource-intensive, and we have a bold new vision for our organization that requires we make some tough sacrifices.”

For one final time, the Bearded Ladies will perform a drag cabaret reenactment of the French Revolution, and 2,000 butterscotch krimpets will rain down from the penitentiary’s towers as Marie Antoinette delivers her infamous line: “Let them eat Tastykake!”

Billie Jean King was in town recently to promote the Philadelphia Freedoms Tennis Season coming up next month. Thanks to Chatterblast’s David Schimpf  for this great shot. I had seen Billie Jean at WOGL in the morning, but didn’t make it to this spot in time.

TONIGHT you can see Keenan and Shawn Wayans, Tommy Davidson and David Alan Grier in the “Off Color” stand up comedy tour at Parx Casino!

8 p.m. Friday, Xcite Center at Parx Casino, 2999 Street Road Bensalem, PA
Tickets: $45-$89
Information: 1-888-LUV-PARX, www.axs.com

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Fun happening in a few weeks, with discount tickets on sale now.

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC @KimmelCenter Merriam Theater (250 S. Broad St, Philadelphia PA, 19102)
Dates & Times:
6/20 – 7:30 PM
6/21 – 7:30 PM
6/22 – 7:30 PM
6/23 – 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
6/24 – 1:00 PM & 6:00 PM
DISCOUNT CODE: trick25 $25 tickets
https://www.kimmelcenter.org/…/…/rentals/champions-of-magic/

The Voices Gala of Summer 2018 Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Voice Foundation of Philadelphia held their annual event at the Westin Hotel on Friday June, 1, 2018.

Karen Hepp, Lauren Johnson flank world renowed Dr. Robert Sataloff at the Summer of Voices Gala

The Voice Foundation is the world’s oldest organization dedicated to voice medicine, science and education and welcomes doctors from around the world to a week long symposium, and celebration at the Voice Gala where they honor extraordinary doctors and their patients who share the mission of promoting voice wellness. This year’s honorees included Simon Estes, Cicely Tyson, Walter Williams, Lauren Johnson & Karen Hepp with a special recognition to George Shirley the first African-American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Sten Ternstrom, Lisa Popeil and Martha Howe

Broadway star Ric Ryder and Marcelo Saldías is a Chilean Speech and Language Pathologist specialized in voice therapy and voice training.

Leslie Martin, renowned opera singer, Dr. Cate Madill, Speech Pathologist, Voice Therapist and Voice Researcher, Director Voicecraft International,and Laura Crocco, Research student at The University of Sydney, using science to improve 1 to 1 music training

Carolyn, Lucie and Alain Munier

Maestro George Shirley , American operatic tenor, and was the first African-American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, Carolyn Sebron, Mezzo Soprano, Dr. Linda M Carroll, speech-language pathologist and voice trainer and Dr. William Riley, world-renowned voice trainer, an award-winning classical singer

he Mission of The Voice Foundation is to enhance knowledge, care and training of the voice through educational programs; to publish material for voice care professionals, the public and professional voice users; and to support and fund voice research.

The legendary entertainer David Powell and the legendary newscaster Karen Hepp, Fox 29

Sue and Walt Hunter, Walt, who retired from CBSPhilly in 2016,  is on the Board of the Voice Foundation.

Dahlia M. Sataloff, MD Surgeon. Chair, Department of Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital Professor of Clinical Surgery, and Nancy Solomon

Caroline McKinnon, Dr. Brian McKinnon and Stephanie Miller

During the program various doctors would entertain the guests

Lauren Johnson and Karen Hepp thank the Voice Foundation for honoring them. Each having had voice issues, and getting treated by Dr. Santaloff, while sharing their stories with their viewers.

After dinner, and the awards program – there was dancing. It’s always a fun night, we’re so fortunate to have such a distinguished organization right here in Philadelphia.

Preakness at the Piazza Doesn’t Disappoint Despite the Dampness

 Preakness at the Piazza (1040 N. American St.) celebrated their annual event on Saturday, May 19, for the 6th annual fundraiser benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Even though it was another rainy day, the crowds did not disappoint. We’re used to a little bit of rain as it’s rained 4 times out of 6 on the day the event has been held.  The Preakness team was prepared with a series of tents to keep the guests dry, but their were breaks in the rain were folks mingled outside, and even danced in the rain.
Preakness on the Piazza is as much about watching the race, as what to wear to celebrate the race.

Valerie Gross and Geoff Gross, founder of Preakness on the Piazza

Fashion judges will once again award attendees who stand out in the following categories: Best Shoes, Best Bowtie, Best Hat, Best Couple, and the biggest winners of the night for Best Dressed Male and Female. Preakness at the Piazza is thrilled to welcome this year’s fashion judges Pat Gallen from CBS​3, Howard Eskin​ from 94WIP​, and Jay Amin​, Co-Owner of Damari Savile. Completing the judges circle are FOX 29’s Alex Holley, Co-Host, “Good Day Philadelphia,” and Kristen Rodgers, Sports Anchor, FOX 29 News, who pick the most stylish Preakness at the Piazza attendees! Together, they will choose the very best looks for awarding a must-have prize – a gift card from event sponsor, Boyds Philadelphia.

Last year’s event raised more than $120,000 for the National MS Society and brought together nearly 1,000 young professionals to benefit a great cause. One hundred percent of net proceeds go toward the National MS Society.

Kristen Herrmann and Paul Triggiani
Media Personalities: Natalie Egenolf and Mina Say What
Each of these boxes contained a bottle of wine. For a purchase of $20 you might get a $10 bottle or a $50 bottle
Kristen Rodgers FOX 29 Sports Anchor announces her choice for best fascinator, as co-workers Alex Holley and Howard Eskin look on
The winners of best dressed at Preakness at the Piazza

Spotted in the crowd – Fred Baxter (r),  Beasley Reece, Garry Cobb, Gina Gannon, and Mike Quick

Check out additional photos at Philly Style Magazine, CBSPhilly and in the August issue of Philadelphia Magazine.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts kicked off the 2018 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) with a black-tie gala on Thursday night May 31, 2018.

Guests were greeted at the gala by a Dragon Performance from the Kimmel Center’s ShowStoppers students as they enjoyed a cocktail party followed by a sit down dinner by Garces Events. I was a bit obsessed by the dragon as you’ll see.

There were pop-up performances by various entertainers including the West Philadelphia Orchestra, who maintained their balance very well on the Kimmel Center steps, which provided amazing acoustics for their fantastic performance. I really love their music.  There were also performances by Melvis Santana & Ashedi , a creative music program by jazz students; After dinner guests headed into Verizon Hall for a performance by Toshi Reagon.

What gorgeous decor Pencora did with the gala; The lampshades are part of the PIFA celebration. You’ll recall in the past they’ve had a few spectacular center pieces in Commonwealth Plaza, including the popular Eiffel Tower. The lampshades are so clever, and make for a great background for selfies so stop by.

Don’t forget to check out the schedule of PIFA events HERE. There are a lot of unique performances happening that are once in a lifetime

Tonight’s Pick: Doggie Hamlet Monday, June 4 

Very clever creating a “bar” at the base of the staircase where the entrance of Volver is located.

The Hillzinger Family

Teresa Bryce Bazemore Chair Elect of the Kimmel Center Board of Directors with Anne Ewers, President & CEO of Kimmel Center

Dr. Nina Radcliff, does not disappoint in bringing the fashion. She told me the butterflies on her dress were her daughter Carmen’s hair clips.

The names for the folks in this shot were lost in translation. If you have them please send them to me at HughE@PhillyChitChat.com, I’d like to use this shot in Philly Mag in August. Thanks

lovely

Stop by and see the amazing lamps

Concert Performance, An irresistible musical event featuring Toshi Reagon & special guests  

Proceeds from the PIFA Gala support the Kimmel Center’s vital, year-round, free arts education programs for K-12 youth and bring free community programming to broad and diverse audiences in Philadelphia.

Around Town: Creed 2, Dave Chapelle Brunching, Bike Lanes and Babies

Happy Sunday. Let’s see what’s happening Around Town….

John Mayer and Dave Chapelle had brunch at the Continental on Saturday before the Roots Picnic, after the event they headed to Stratus Lounge for the Afterparty.

The new bike lanes are being installed on Market Street and they look beautiful.  Dear Pedestrian’s don’t stand in the bike lanes while waiting for the light to turn green.

Congrats Sarah Maiellano and Joe Maiellano on the birth of their beautiful baby girl.
Congrats Connor and Laura Barwin on the birth of their son – West David Barwin

Creed 2 is wrapping up, it was a great three months of celebrity chasing for me,

culminating with the philanthropic party at M Night’s house where Michael B Jordan and Steve Caple attended to help raise money for the Philadelphia Film Office as well as the Philadelphia Film Society.
Remember in April when I got the photo of Brigette Neilson arriving at the PHL airport, and she headed to her car in a comfort chair. Well now we know why….

. @bexonair did a great job on the @realbrigittenielsen story and the pap shot I got of her arriving at PHL inApril in a wheelchair. I thought she just didn’t want to get her pretty pink slippers dirty. Sorry I accidentally cut if Bex’s congrats to hubby Maria Dessi. #creed2 @cbs_philly

A post shared by Philly ChitChat (@phillychitchat) on Jun 1, 2018 at 7:10am PDT

The Phillie Phanatic and Phillies Ballgirls joined a parade of 20 preschool children with autism on Friday June 1, 2018, in celebration of SPIN’s new Discovery Yard—an outdoor science classroom at one of the nonprofit’s early childhood centers in Northeast Philadelphia. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Phillies Charities, Inc., The SPIN Discovery Yard was transformed from an underutilized play space into a fully equipped, interactive classroom. The children’s “Stroll in the Playpark” culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the Discovery Yard, led by SPIN CEO Kathy McHale. “The Discovery Yard is a new and important part of SPIN’s commitment to high quality early learning,” said McHale. “It is designed to plant a seed of interest in science, technology, engineering, art and math [STEAM] and will be woven into our early childhood curriculum. The Yard will be a place of learning, development and creativity for over 220 children of all abilities.” Learn more at www.spininc.org and www.facebook.com/SPINinc.   Check out the video from the day HERE

Preston and Steve Show’s Casey Foster and Preston Elliot, 6abc Action News anchor Matt O’Donnell, Devereux PA Golf Classic Committee Chair Howard Lebold

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Pennsylvania’s 2018 Golf Classic took place on May 15, 2018. Nearly 250 golfers came out swinging for the annual event which raised money to support the mission of the organization, which is to unlock and nurture human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Funds raised from the event will directly impact the lives of more than 3,500 children and adults served by Devereux in Southeastern Pennsylvania in the areas of educational and residential programs, therapeutic foster care, and employment and community-based services.

The June 5th Memorial is nearly done, with the dedication scheduled for June 5th at 10AM

Welcome to the neighborhood Frankie Ann’s . They’re having a block party on June 7 at 3PM to celebrate.
There will be family fun and entertainment by @JerryBlavat and the Philly String Band @fairmountcdc

Tom Hannafin , GM Frankie Ann’s

Love to you my niece Nicole Rae

Historical Society of Pennsylvania hosted their annual gala – The Founders Award, on the evening on May 17, 2018, at the Independence Seaport Museum. The evening celebrated our history, from women’s suffrage and the Progressive Era to today’s #metoo movement.  Congratulations to Jill Lepore, winner of the Founder’s Award, and Siobhan Reardon, winner of the Heritage Award! We were delighted to celebrate the accomplishments of these honorees alongside so many of our friends and supporters.

Flor Jiron and Lynette Zimmerman

The Bombshell’s entertained the crowd

Natanya DiBona and Jill Lepore

The event raised funds to launch the History Makers Camp and provide additional resources for HSP’s student programs. History Makers Camp pilots in summer 2018, bringing high school students to HSP to study and map out a walking tour of critical events that occurred in African American history in Philadelphia. Check out July’s issue of Philly Mag for more photos from the HSP Founder’s Gala.

Historic Philadelphia Inc. hosted the 9th annual “An Evening in Franklin Square” presented by Parx Casino on a particular beautiful, but rain threatening night under the glow of the third annual Chinese Lantern Festival.  I arrived after 8 pm this year as I covered the Historic Society Pennsylvania Gala earlier in the evening.

Because of the threat of rain, the party committee created a series of tents and covered pathways to usher the guests between the venues.

Thanks to the hard work by volunteers the evening went smoothly

Beesley Reece did an amazing job on the live auctions, as he’s done every year since the inception of the event – AND he lives in Texas now!

Laura Burkhart, Visit Philly and Meryl Levitz, executive director of Visit Philly

Randy Chapman and Eric Etkins – co chair
David Murray and Bob Green, founder and chairman of Greenwood Racing and Parx Casino in Philadelphia
Former Gov Ed Rendell catching up with Chris Mullins, McGillin’s Tavern

 Chuck Zacney, Carol Zacney, Casey Zacney, and Alex Zacney
The gala benefited the family-friendly park.

Jessica Itzkowitz, and Job Itzkowitz, Old City District executive director

And to all a good night says board member Carol Tamburino, until next year.

On the Town With HughE Dillon- Randomness, Rehoboth & Joel Embid

Hope you had a great weekend. Mike (Happy 24th Anniversary) and I headed to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with our friends Matt Malinowski and Chuck Lentz. The weather was beautiful Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night we had dinner at Salt Air, which was delicious, especially their rolls. Sunday night we finally got the rain that everyone else was getting around us, and we stayed in and played Philly-opoly (Monopoly based on vintage Philly, when Corestates was the name on the Flyers/Sixers arena) Prediction, look for the renaming of the arena before the year is out.
Sunday afternoon we took a drive, and grabbed a bite at Rusty Rudder. How random I ran into Geoff Pierce and Samantha Peirce, Mama Peirce and the MacCloskey’s in Dewey Beach; I hadn’t seen them since their wedding in January. Remember he was the #artmuseumhottie I photographed working out 3 years ago. Seems like an eternity.

Rehoboth Beach was hopping with Philly faces. 6ABC’s Matt Pellman was there, as was Marisa Magnatta, Preston & Steve Show, visiting with Jenny Hatton Baver & Scott Baver, who live nearby, but are originally from the Philadelphia area. When Jenny Hatton lived in Philly and was with Profile PR she helped start Philly Beer Week, which kicks off this Friday, June 1. Info Here

And new arrival to Philly, NBC10 reporter (Seriously do they have the best looking news personalities at that station?) Miguel Martinez-Valle took advantage of the beautiful weather to take a dip in the 66f Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth Beach on Saturday afternoon. Last week he was at Robert Irvine’s Beats ‘n Eats

Although over at Fox 29 we have a few beauts our-selves. Jenn Frederick tells it like it is on air and off, and now she’s writing a blog about it. Get the inside scoop on how she balances her career, family life and friends. On Memorial Day she wrote a great piece on friends and the importance on surrounding yourself with nice/supportive peeps.

I want a nice, fun, smiling supportive group of buddies. Not a crew of high maintenance diva back stabbers.  (source) Join 84ks subscribers and get weekly “fly on the Wall” fun at Jenn’s blog.  (Subscribe here)
In the June issue of Philly Mag, another Fox 29 supastar getting some air time. (Alex Holly at Manna’s Gauc Off Thursday night, to her right is Robert Bennett, on the right, he’s opening Classic Cakes in Suburban Station. Says look for a September date.)
One of Us: Alex Holley

While I was away Joel Embiid twice played basketball at Starr Gardens at 9th and Pine,

Here’s video, courtesy @astrait25, of Joel Embiid bouncing a ball off a dude’s face and then windmilling on his head at a park at 9th and South in Philly. Phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/XS99pFhXat

— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) May 28, 2018

to the delight of the local guys

Kathleen Turner poses after the show with Philadelphia Theatre Company’s new Producing Artistic Director Paige Price and Carol Saline, Board Member.

Tony Award nominee and two-time Golden Globe Award winner Kathleen Turner (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Romancing the Stone) will make her Carlyle debut May 22–June 2 with her new cabaret show Finding My Voice, which premiered at The Philadelphia Theatre Company back in September.

Congratulations to my neighbor, casting director Roz Fulton, co-founder of Direction and Exposure Access (DEA) (with her mom Jacqui Fulton) which specializes in casting hard-to-find actors, including seniors and children. DEA casts for an array of film and TV projects including “National Treasure”; “The Sixth Sense”; “Rocky I, II, III, and V”; and “Beloved” as well as “Hack” and “Jersey Girl.” She won the 2018 Female The Philadelphia Independent Film Awards (IFAP) Impact Award, which were handed out May 20, 2018 at International House. Here’s a link to additional honorees.

Thoughts are with WYFF station as the death of their long time employees: reporter Mike McCormick (on the hammock with his husband) and photojournalist Aaron Smeltzer, (who will be greatly missed by his soulmate Heather). The duo were covering the impact of the heavy rain in Tyson, NC, and died when a tree fell on their vehicle yesterday. They died instantly, with the car still running and in gear. It reminds me that our time could come at any minute. Be Kind To One Another, and live your best life.
Tribute from Heavy

Sail Philadelphia 2018 The Tall Ships Parade

Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend a dozen majestic ships sailed into Philadelphia for a five-
day celebration honoring the sailing community and Philadelphia’s maritime heritage
during Sail Philadelphia 2018 Presented by Bank of America.

Beginning with the Parade
of Sail on yesterday, the festival will offer waterfront fun, ship tours, and sailing
excursions.

Thanks Spirit of Philadelphia for the fun afternoon

Philadelphia Tall Ships festival 2018: Everything you need to know about Sail Philadelphia

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend, I’m going to the beach and bird watching.
I’ll be back on Tuesday, but follow me on Instagram and Twitter to see what’s happening –

Best Fashions at Radnor Races & A Muddy Good Time

On May 19, 2018 Dr. Thanuja Hamilton and I headed to the  The Radnor Hunt Races as they celebrated its 88th Anniversary with a traditional steeplechase. I’ve been going to the races for the past 9 years, as I remember my sister Judy dressed me for the first one and it was shortly before she passed away. In the 9 years since I’ve attended they’ve never had an all day rainy day, so I was interested to see what that would be like, as well as to see what people would wear.

Of course the most important reason I was going as all proceeds from the event benefited the land and water preservation programs of the Brandywine Conservancy in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania,

and if you head out to the Chadds Ford there you will see a lot of open space, beautiful rolling hills.

Definitely looking smart: Andrew Ross and Betsy Ross at the Groebel Tail Gate Party Laurie Wightman (editor of The Scout Mainline) and Robert Baldry

 Paul Marshall and Julie Marshall, James Beard Foundation
Paul is taking over the space where Sbraga was located at Broad & Lombard. The new eatery will be called Fraternité, a French American cuisine, with a full oyster bar. Look for Fraternité to open it’s doors in August.

Daddy and me
Mommy and Me

Family Time
Another use for those gathering plastic bags

aww the young lady on the left slipped in the mud (see her leg PS she doesn’t have brown pants on) while her girlfriends on the right were happy it wasn’t them

Who remembers Minnie Pearl?
Brandon Morrison, Stacey Kracher, Raffaellina Merlino and Anthony Merlino at the The Young Friends Committee – The Academy of Music (Join for lots of fun social events, & Academy Ball Tickets)

Happy Happy Birthday, yesterday, Stacey!!

Dr. Charles Lentz is the Best Dressed for a muddy good day at the Radnor Races heading to The Young Friends Committee – The Academy of Music sponsor tent
  And it’s not just because you and Matt Malinowski (vice chair of the Young Friends Committee – The Academy of Music) are hosting Mike and I at your crib in Rehoboth Beach this weekend.

Sharon Floyd and Kearni Warren in their floral best enjoyed a delicious spread by The Palm in the Bellevue Tent

Definitely the best dressed trio:
Rhys Williams, Lauren Swartz and Trey Massengill in the Bellevue Tent
Best Dressed and accessorized Heather and Vern Burling

And before you knew it, we were slip sliding away. See you next year, there’s a 50 percent chance it won’t be a muddy good time next year…..tune in tomorrow to see photos as the Tall Ships float up the Delaware River for your enjoyment this weekend…