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Tuesday To Do – A List of Upcoming Events

 

Good afternoon. I hear you, you want to know about events before I shoot them as many people tell me. I will do my best to publish interesting events on Tuesday which you might want to do in the near future.

New this year – Happenings Media is launching a Podcast celebrating small businesses. They’re having a Philly launch
party 1/18/19 and you’re all inviting, you just have to RSVP. I’ll be there snapping away so wear your business casual best.

The events that kick off the Winter Social Season are Hair of the Dog and Lemon Ball and
they’re both on January 19, 2019 conveniently located blocks away from each other.
I’ll be at both events, so wear you most delicious yellow at the Lemon Ball, and you’re hot sexy self for
the HOD Gala, which is celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary this year.
**** Today is your last chance to get $15 OFF VIP TICKETS for a chance to see @TPAIN and @partyfavormusic LIVE! Use code: GOBIRDS at http://hairothedog.com/tickets ! 

THE Grand Lady of Locust Street – The Academy Of Music – is hosting the 162nd Anniversary and Ball
On Janury 26, 2019. Tickets are still available for Concert and Ball following the concert.
It’s really a memorable night, that I recommend you experience at least once in your lifetime.
Young Friend tickets are $350 and tickets at the $450 rage are still available for the non young friends.
The higher ticket prices are SOLD OUT.

Hope to see you at one of the events. Check back next Tuesday for additional events you might be interested in attending.

Law firm Lauletta Birnbaum, a boutique law firm that represents private and public emerging growth companies in the courtroom or as general counsel, held their annual Holiday Party at Attico in the Cambria hotel on Broad Street December 18, 2018. Guests included business owners, City officials, friends and family.

Mike Coluzzi, Bob McKinley, Maria Quattrone and Frank Lauletta, Esq.

Noted on Frank’s FB page you might be interested in this next weekend, and it will be over before the Eagles game:MILT THOMPSON BASEBALL. LIMITED AVAILABILITY GROUP TRAINING WITH THE FORMER MLB PLAYER AND COACH. DESIGNED FOR SERIOUS PLAYERS 13+. WHEN: SUNDAY 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10
TIME: 12:00PM – 2:00PM
COST: $40 PER 2 HOUR SESSION*
WHERE: 218 SALINA ROAD, SEWELL, NJ

Michael Wolk, Krishna Narine, Esq. of Lauletta Birnbaum LLC, and Jeff Lichtman, Esq.

Keith and Toosdhi Perry

 

A little bit about Attico, which sits on top of the new Cambria hotel on Broad Street. It’s helmed by long time Philly chef Jason Cichonski, who recently owned of Ela in Queen Village, has created a bar/lounge with crafted cocktails and a brief menu of delicious lite bites. Best of all it has a great view of the City skyline, and Broad Street.

There’s a beautiful outdoor space which is tented over for cold, cozy nights.

Signs, Signs Every Where There’s Signs; Plus Ladies Radio Shuffle and Dr. Oz

Happy New Year peeps. How long into the new year are we allowed to say that? I would think at least until the Wise Man come or the next government holiday, which is in 2 weeks – Martin Luther King’s Day of Service. Friday I returned to the airwaves of WOGL98.1 for my weekly Breakfast Buzz segment with Marilyn Russell.

I chatted a bit about Patti LaBelle’s party, including something I didn’t tell you about and that was her bathroom, which smelled amazing and whose toilet seat rose when you shut the door. It was so interesting. Also chatted about Rupert Grint, who’s in town to film M. Night Shyamalan‘s unnamed Apple TV Series, who’s been spotted eating at Delfrisco‘s these past few weeks. Speaking of eating, I stopped by Estia Thursday night for a BFF dinner with Sheila Hess and Thanuja Hamilton,

who BTW is on with Dr. Oz again tomorrow, Monday 1/7/19, while at Estia (1405 Locust) I got and received a little more info on Motley Crue’s drummer, Tommy Lee’s dinner there on Christmas Eve. I had no idea he was Greek, in fact he was born in Greece, I later looked it up and learned his dad was an American soldier, and his mother was from Greece. He was in town for the holiday as he’s dating a Philly girl, internet celebrity Brittany Furlan, (She was declared by Time in 2015 to be one of the most influential people on the internet.)

On the Radio

Congrats to Valerie Knight formerly of WOGL Breakfast Club, who announced she is “Back in the Game” and is back on the air at 106.1 The Breeze doing mornings 6am to 10am last week. If you’ve never heard of The Breeze before, you’re not imagining things, it used to be the throwback hip-hop music station The Real 106.1, now the new The Breeze will focus on “a soothing blend of music” from artists like Whitney Houston, Chicago, Air Supply, and Adele, parent company iHeartRadio said in a press release last month. Let go from the Real were favorite DJ’s Nk the Web Chick ie Nicole Michalik, also let go were Chio Acosta and cohost Shila Nathan.

Over at 95.7 BenFM for the past two years the morning crew was Matt Cord and Kristen Herrmann. Congrats to Kristen who was promoted to her own show moving over to afternoons from 3PM to 7PM weekdays. Matt Cord will still be holding down the fort in the morning. 

Another change – Sheraton Philadelphia City Center has changed hands and the name has come off the building. Marriott has taken over and the name has changed to the Philadelphia 201 Hotel, which is it’s address 201 N 17th Street, a bit boring of a name I think, but it does remove the mystery of it’s location for wandering tourists.

In preparation for it’s move Aramark removed the sign from their former headquarters last summer. I tweeted about it then and received a nice email from Karen Cutler, their communications department who filled me in with a few interesting details. As happens in the busy social season I don’t always get to convey the message on my blog after doing social media about something.

Our sign stands 17 feet high, spans more than 100 feet wide and weighs approximately 5,000 pounds. It got an upgrade in 2014 when we changed our logo to reflect our evolved company brand. The all-caps was out; lowercase letters and a re-energized “Star Person” went in. The sign features LED lighting—reducing energy consumption and minimizing carbon emissions by more than 70,000 pounds/year. If you combine the length of all four sides, the sign is longer than a football field. It was locally manufactured in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Our name has adorned the top of 1101 Market for 32 years—since we completed our move in 1986

UP NEXT: The sign will get new exterior faces, lights and wiring so that it’s ready to shine at 2400 Market.

Granted I probably should go get a better photo of the newly installed sign at 2400 Market Street, but here it is from Eakins Oval the other night, actually the night the guy was impaled on the Deer antlers. I was trying to figure out how that happened and was there.
E*A*G*L*E*S chat tomorrow!!

The 2nd Annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED)

Through out January I will be posted events that I didn’t publish on Philly Chit Chat, that most likely were published elsewhere.
Additional photos from WED are published in this months Philly Mag
With 200 of the Philadelphia region’s most high-powered and accomplished women entrepreneurs in attendance, the 2nd Annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED), a global initiative that has the backing of the UN and Congress and is now presented in 144 countries, was produced by WED Philadelphia Ambassador and Executive Director of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator, Elissa Bloom.

This year’s theme was The Entrepreneurial Mindset. Building on last year’s theme of Grit and how to overcome external challenges, they explored more deeply our internal challenges and how to create a new mental state for success. The entrepreneurial mindset is a perspective where you will find the focus and persistence to carry on in the face of adversity.

Emi Kirschner and Marcia Williams

 

Shauna James, Sarai Quinice and Anasia Gladney

 

Elissa Bloom greets the attendees
I left as the sold out seminar began

Sheila Hess, Philadelphia City Representative Sheila Hess , Veteran Erica Webster and Elissa Bloom , WED Philadelphia Ambassador (these next two photos shot by Norma Velez)

 

WED Founder Wendy Diamond received a presentation of a proclamation from BOTH Governor and First Lady Frances Wolf by a Commissioner from the PA Commission for Women Salima Suswell and a special presentation from Philadelphia City Representative Sheila Hess as well as to four local Women Veterans, who are also entrepreneurs.   Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) is the world’s largest entrepreneurial and financial empowerment initiative dedicated to celebrating, supporting and empowering women worldwide.

A Few Characters on New Year’s Day, Mummers, Friends and Parties

 

Happy New Year!! Working hard to get back in the saddle after the New Year, a little late on my Mummer’s post but I hope you enjoy what I captured…

Thanks Penns Landing for having Mike at your New Year’s Eve Party for the 6PM fireworks.

The party was as fantastic as ever, and everyone was obsessed with this app with noodles wrapped around chopsticks.
It was great running into this crew there. Brenton McCloskey, U of Arts – Director of Institutional Giving, Alex Silverman, Program Director of KYW News, Jonathan D. Lovitz, Senior Vice President at the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Steve Sosna, NBCPhiladelphia Meteorologist and Jeff Gauracino, President and CEO at Visit Philadelphia
Tony, Alissa and Emory Frick with Stacey Kracher and Brandon Morrison
I stopped by the Miguel Martinez-Valle and Emmanuel Capó soiree at party central 1213 Walnut Street.
The apartment building is a beautiful as the folks in this photo.

Georgene Anthony and Greg Comishock, Director of Marketing of Ferko Stringband

Hey you…

Thanks Evan and Lynsie Solomon for having us at your 1st Annual New Year’s Day Party
Thanks Tania and Mark Schade for having us at your 8th New Year’s Day Party.
Happy New Year!!

Check out CBSPhilly , Philly Voice and Philly Style Mag for more photos from the 24 hrs of New Year’s Celebration

Philly Chit Chat 2018 Wrap Up

Happy New Year !! Every year I do a wrap up on PhillyChitChat, what’s been reported, how we grew,
stories we’ve broken, who we’ve touched, and hopefully how we made a difference.
I can’t thank you enough for your years of support.
One of the Most Popular Instagram Posts this Year. When I run into them they tell me they’re still recognized from my post.

Philly Chit Chat just celebrated 11 years in July. I started it as a hobby, a creative outlet to escape what had become a fairly
boring job. The first year I concentrated on curiosities around town, I was observant and noticed new things, different things, things we as City dwellers were curious about, and then I wound figure it out. Over the year it began I started chronicling charity events and bar events, focusing on a mid twenties crowd striving to make a difference, and others looking for spouses. It was fun. Then I was laid off of my job at the end of 2010…I told my readers I’d become an event photographer;

that summer I started contributing to Fox 29, and Philly Mag fast forward to 2018 and I am humbled, and grateful to contribute content to WOGLFM (Friday), Phila Business Journal, Philly Voice, Philly Style Magazine,  Philly Metro,  Philly.com CBS3Philly online and on air, usually photos but last month I was on air,
WOGL98.1 with legendary Marilyn Russell and producer Laura Boss on Friday 8AM
and I have to include my Social Media platforms with over 60ks followers. I have a lot to say and share, and finally I found people willing to listen – LOL

All this Couldn’t Have Happened Without You, so Thank You!!
I appreciate when readers approach me and say hi, or call out PhillyChitChat, then I know I am bringing you the info, news, gossip and things to do that you can use. I’m glad to have this platform.

Thank you so much for tipping me off to celebrities in town. I really appreciate it!! I love that you get me, I just want to share the fun
news with the masses.

I broke a lot of stories on PhillyChitChat platforms including where the next Wawa is going – on 16th Street in the middle of the block, as well as what that lighted thing was called on the top of the Comcast Technology Building – Lantern; and it won’t be lit (again) til the new Four Season’s opens sometime in 2019.

Family fun

Winter and Spring 2018 I spent a lot of time tracking down the Creed 2 filming. This scene never made it in the movie. Sly went back to the old neighborhood to attend a funeral of a guy he fought, that later worked at his eatery Adrien’s. That’s director Steve Caple and Sly Stallone in South Philly. Thanks to the security for giving me a window to get this shot. I also did a live shoot with Jenn Fredrick here for Fox 29.

I broke the story that Bridgette Nielsen was going to be in Creed 2. After getting this shot I immediately called Marilyn Russell and she broke the news on WOGL. I sent a photo to Fox 29 as they were still on the air, CBSPhilly morning was done by that time. I couldn’t tell she was 5 months pregnant as she had a big coat on.

The GPFO and M Night Shylaman tapped me to shoot a fundraiser at the famed director’s house. I finally got a decent shot of Michael B Jordan and Steve Caple Jr.

I celebrated one year on WOGL in August

Captured a lot of sunrises and sunsets

Danced with Patti LaBelle on the Academy of Music stage during the 17th concert of hers I attended. Then I got invited to her Christmas Party last week. Pinch Me!!

I get to share beautiful Philly with those who don’t always have the time to see everything.

I discovered you can’t take the entire summer off in search of rest and relaxation, you must just learn to balance
life and work. Plus I was really bored not shooting anything between July and September. BORED!
Never boring, always supportive. Thanks Mike Toub, together 25 years next July.

RIP Wing Bowl. It was chaos, a hot mess, but it was ours and I loved covering the disgusting over the top event.

Philly you’ve really become something special over the last decade, I’m glad I was a part of it.
Here’s to another decade, and a promise from me that I won’t miss a day in 2019 as I did in
2018. I was so busy with placing events in the media, I didn’t always post on my baby.
I ran into so many of you who told me you missed us, so not again, and thanks for keeping me on my toes, always.

Let’s Do It Again, Fly Eagles Fly.

And if you have a chance check out this Philly Mag article from the December Issue.

A Day in The Life of HughE Dillon

Thanks again, and Happy New Year!!

 

HughE Around Town:: Tommy Lee; Alicia Vitarelli Miracle, Anchor Bae and Friends Reunion

Happy New Year, hard to believe that 2018 is over already. So much happening this year. Monday I will have the PhillyChitChat 2018 wrap up post, but today let’s get to the
last of HughE Around Town a weekly column about people, places and celebrity sightings around town. Thanks to all those who send me tip
and pixs to create this column, and those who let me re-post their shots.

Rocker Tommy Lee , Motley Crew drummer, was in town over the Christmas holiday. Saturday night he was spotted @michaelschulson’s newest restaurant Giuseppe & Sons, which has been getting rave reviews; Sunday night he was at the @ritzcarltonphiladelphia snacking on @aqimero fare and posing with fans in the lounge. He also took a photo of himself in the shoe shine chair, where President Obama, then Senator Obama famously got his shoes shined a decade ago. On Christmas Eve Tommy Lee dined Estia restaurant with his girlfriend Brittany Furlan , who grew up in Perkasie, Pa.,
and her family. Here he’s at Estia posing with 📸Corey the waiter.

Reunited and it feels so good: former NBC10 traffic bae’s Erin Como and Jillian Mele dined with current NBC10 traffic bae – Jessica Boyington at Spice Finch Saturday night. Erin tells me Spice Finch was amazing, and the food was delish. Before dinner at Chef Jennifer Carroll and Billy Riddle’s 3 bell eatery as reviewed by Craig LaBan,   the trio enjoyed a cocktail and reminisced at Rouge one last time before it undergoes a major renovation for the next few months.
Miracle of Christmas according to Alicia Vitarelli

Let me tell you a story about angels. This morning I was running around. Multitasking. My usual MO. It wasn’t until a few minutes before my friend and her daughter arrived at our home that I realized I couldn’t find my grandmother’s wedding band. She got married with this band and gave it to me for my wedding. It’s the one material thing I couldn’t possibly replace. I rarely take it off. I remained calm, assuming it had slipped into a strange place. A few hours later…after the washer and dryer had been removed to search, the garbage picked through…my friend sent this text. It was in their Christmas gift. I had wrapped it in silver tissue paper. The bag, about to be recycled — across the bridge in NJ!!!Thank you, Samantha Pino Meloni for reminding me of angels on earth. And thank you, Grandma Marie for keeping watch from above. That was a close one ❤️😇

– May I Suggest A Ring Guard?

Friday night Councilman Curtis Jones had his annual Blackout Party. I was unable to make it as my sister was in town, but you’ll be able to catch up with all the doings on
James Dougherty, Jr.’s site YC’s News

Spotted at the party was Congressman Bob Brady, St. Sen. Sharif Street (he’s been making the party rounds – last week he was at Vince Fumo’s annual Christmas Party and PGN Publisher’s Mark Segal soiree); Rhonda Willingham Founder & CEO of @Menzfit, Paul Smith, Council President Darrell Clarke, Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown, Theresa Brunson, Candidate for Phila. Court of Common Pleas Judge In May 2019 and many more dignitaries. Check out James Dougherty, Jr.’s site YC’s News for more photos and stories next week.

I had a great weekend with my niece, nephews and sister Crista this weekend. We couldn’t have Christmas in Charlotte this year like we normally do, so they came up to visit us. I took them to my favorite spot – Franklin Square’s Electricle Spectacle. It’s really a gem, and now has a warming tent that serves cocktails, smores and hot chocolate. There’s also fire pits in the nearby beer garden.

 

Congrats to Gabriela Andrea Guaracao and Matthew Fontana on their wedding this past weekend. Such great love from friends and family who
flew to Columbia for the wedding.

Speaking of weddings, Happy Anniversary to the invincible couple Vince and Janet Papale who celebrated with friends at Capital Grille over the weekend.

Now that I was around for the weekend, I got to go to parties I don’t normally make. Christmas Eve I was in my old neighborhood of Cherry Hill attending the Rykiels’s
Christmas Eve open house. Last night I went to my friend Lee Ann and Rick’s Open House, that’s Lee Ann there as Cindy Lou and me with my Frosty the Snowman Top Hat.

Friday night I visited with the Debbie & Chuck Leiber in Ventnor to celebrate Chuck Leiber’s 80th Birthday. Here I’m with one of my oldest
friends, and I mean that sincerely, he’s older than I am, Butch Leiber. We met in 1989 on New Year’s Eve at Woody’s.

So long best City Hall Christmas Tree ever. Who ever thought of the snowflakes on the building was genius. Plus the City Hall light show on the West side was such a treat. Philly has come a long way to celebrating Philly. Thanks!!

What are you doing on New Year’s Eve. How about trying your luck at Parx Casino, dinner at Del Frisco’s then heading to Stratus Lounge to ring in the New Year!!. I’ll be at Stratus Lounge Between 1130 and 130am. Hope to see you there!! Wait check back on Monday for my year end wrap up….have a great day.

The Sweetest Holiday Party – Medical Guardian

Val Gross, Val Sings Events and Geoff Gross, Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian held their annual Holiday Party on December 15th for company employees, friends and family, at Vie on North Broad in Philadelphia. Medical Guardian’s Holiday party planned by Val Sings Events at Vie with a Candyland theme.

The tables were beautifully decorated, and strategically places so everyone could enjoy a view

When guests arrived they could grab a holiday cocktail from this lovely lady

Zee Cruse and JyMal Cruse

Val Sings Gross and Geoff Gross

Jayel Lewis, Geoff Gross, Dave and Alexa

Lollipop table decor

How clever was this, everyone’s table number was attached to the lollipops located in the entry hall on a fabulous display

Daeshawn and Maurice

 

Val Sings Gross putting the touches on the Gingerbread House

Elizabeth Loomis and Shawn Fuchs

There were bags for guests to take home everyone’s favorite treats.

Next week I’m going to be publishing the best of events on 2018 and you can be sure the
Medical Guardian Holiday Party is going to be in the Top Ten, it was spectacular.
Val Sings Events tops herself every year. Can’t wait to see what she does next!!

Patti LaBelle Home For The Holidays Christmas Party and I was there….

Patti LaBelle hosted her semi annual Holiday part at her house on the mainline this year.
Nearly 225 people fit beautifully in the grand home on nearly 10.000 feet.
Here Ms. Patti greets longtime friends The Rodriguez Family

 

The Foyer Tree, there were many gorgeous rooms, nooks and crannies but I didn’t feel comfortable capturing it all as
it’s Patti’s personal place. I did capture a lot of people though.

You know it’s a party when DJ Aktive is spinning. He’s gone on tour with JLo, Janet Jackson and
Jennifer Hudson as a concert DJ.

Dr. Mike From Fox 29

Derrick Sampson | WRNB 100.3 Philly and singer Carrol Riddick, who is playing at South Jazz Club (Next to Vie) January 18 & 19

Lil’ Mo dressed up as $100 bills

Alex Holley, Fox 29 with legendary DJ Miss Patty Jackson, WDAS
Moi and the legendary Dyana Williams, celebrity strategist, on-air talent http://RNBPHILLY.Com in the I like to call this the Miss Patti Patti Award Room. Over Dyana ‘s left shoulder is one
of two Grammy’s Patti LaBelle won. Next to her is a plate we were all nervous to accidentally knock over, but whew we didn’t.
There were wonderful photos of Patti and nearly everyone in recent history that you’d like to have met, and recognition from MLK Foundation, Oprah and
many presidents. There was a Nelson Mandela photo, Natalie Cole and my other love Luther Vandross photos, her BFF Denise Rich and God daughter Mariah Carey.

Dinner by Miss Tootsie, located on the 1300 block of South Street, was off the hook delicious as usual, Ribs, Chicken and Waffles. Amazing!!

Patti Pies James Wright and his friend El Deon flew in for the party from LA

Patti was so happy to see him. More photos to come. Must run out for Christmas presents….
Actually I’m going to send photos to CBSPhilly, and Philly Style later in the week.
Hope you caught my segment on Fox29 this morning. So fun

 

Best Fashion Moments in 2018 on the Philly Social Scene

Alex Black and Briana Layfield

I found this dynamic duo at the Black Tail Tie Gate the night before the Philadelphia Car Show opened last year. I love their Goth Look. Her gown is gorgeous, his sneakers fit perfectly in this setting.

Aisha Harris-Leone and Walter Leone ’nuff said

Not embarrassed one bit, but more about celebrating a pretty, whimsical dress from BHLDN are Barbara Eberlein and Kaytlynn Gorson who had never met before, but discovered they both have exquisite taste in clothes.

Harris T. Bock, Esq. and Denise D. Hodgson looking fabulous,
the couple’s style mirrors their easy, relaxed dispositions.

At the Black Tie Tailgate

 

Rahel Solomon, CBS3Philly, Jeannette Reyes, 6ABC and Brittney Shipp, NBC10
at the opening of the BOYDS Women’s Department. It’s so nice to see tv personalities from competing stations have such a genuine friendship

Erin Elmore and Craig Spitzer are always the life of the party
Parris and Karen Hall at the Rittenhouse Square Ball.
Karen was forthright with her dress that I admired so much, she got it at TJ Maxx for $17, WOW amazing. So pretty. Fashion doesn’t have to break the bank.

Kiley Jo Schroeder and Brian Stevenson
Wonderful to follow their love story. This year they become Mr. and Mrs. Congrats

I love their style, Howard Wurzak with his aversion to “tie” anything, Mrs JoAnn Wurzak with her whimsical print dresses, and killer smile.

Fox29’s Alex Holley and Mike Masco each of them bringing a little pizazz to Philadelphia.

Every year Brandon Morrison and Stacey Kracher make the Best Fashion List, at nearly every party as well. This power couple works hard, plays hard all the while bringing the best
fashion to any event they attend, even at the very rainy Radnor Hunt.

Matt and Anne Hamilton at the Academy Ball – #FlyEaglesFly

DJ Robert Drake at the 2nd annual Flowers after Hours 70s themed party, with a special performance by the Village People in March 2018

Always wearing fun fashion but this year he got on the healthy band wagon, and intently ate better, and walking everywhere he could.
10 months later at the opening of Tinsel, where he curated the holiday music for the pop up Christmas bar.
Check out this article on Philly Mag on how he did it, and hopefully inspire all of us who want a new you in 2019
Be Well Philly