Rodney McLeod and partners presented his brand ‘Back Of House’ in a Pop-up Party at Dalian on the Parkway on November 26, 2018.
Rodney McLeod and fiance Erika Lee
Friends and teammates came out to see the holiday line and winter fashions from Back of House (BOHUSA). Lite bites from Abe Fisher were served, as guests tried on the latest fashions and learned about the charity “Focused Athletes” which provides Philly high school athletes access to athletic, academic, and professional resources that will foster growth as an athlete and as a person in order to be a leader for tomorrow’s Philadelphia.”.
Jeff Glauser of Glausangeles at Rodney McLeod’s Pop Up Party of his fashion line Back of House at Dalian on the Parkway on November 26, 2018.Anthony Adams and Lamar Tymes at Rodney McLeod’s Pop Up Party of his fashion line Back of House at Dalian on the Parkway on November 26, 2018.
Dana Myers and Molly Weinberg
Men’s Fashion Expert Sabir Peele (Men’s Style Pro) tries on a Back of House jacket
Rodney McLeod and Jonathan Mason, BOHUSA
Mina Say What and Quincy Harris
Donald Davenport and Kevin James of Back of HouseChristina Henck checks out the Back of House holiday line, as Ted Cichocki looks on at Rodney McLeod’s Pop Up Party of his fashion line Back of House at Dalian on the Parkway on November 26, 2018.Rodney McLeod’s teammates came out to support him at Rodney McLeod’s Pop Up Party of his fashion line Back of House at Dalian on the Parkway on November 26, 2018.
Lawrence Resnick, Angela Calvanese, Brian Best and Sabina AminErika Lee, Malcolm Jenkins and Mina Say What
Head on over to Xfinity Live tonight and join Rodney McLeod, Quincy Harris, K Foxx and Christian Crosby for
the CF Charity Champions of Kids TOYS DRIVE. It’s free but bring a new unwrapped toy.
Monday Morning Gossip, looks like Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons are going strong. They were spotted all over Philly this weekend. After I first reported on WOGL Friday morning for you to be on the look out for Kendall, she arrived at the airport Friday afternoon.
Wearing the cutest blue track suit. She went to the Sixers game Friday night to cheer on beau Ben Simmons, and they won. The curse is over. Kendall you’re welcomed in Philly anytime, especially since your immersing yourself into Philly culture.
Check out that fan who does what fans and their object of desire do these days. He calls out Kendall can I get a selfie, then he goes right in for it. She obliges, barely missing a step, while Ben goes ahead. And that’s how it’s done, get your selfie, say I love you and let her go. She expects this reaction as she’s grown up on TV and has known this way of life for nearly all of hers.
Then you stopped by the Waterfront Cafe for another bite before heading to see Travis Scott at the Wells Fargo Center, with Ben. After the concert you headed to Elbow Lane, below Harp & Crown, the sight of your first Philly date with Ben a few weeks ago, reported first by me on my social media.
Yesterday you cheered on Ben at another Sixers game they won, wearing the same track suit you arrived in. Hope that doesn’t mean you’re ready to roll out of town already as you’ve gone through all your packed clothes? We shall see….
Sunday, despite the dismal day, SHAZAM filmed it’s last scene here in Philly. As I wrote in PhillyChitChat on Friday, Shazam is set in Philly, but filmed in Toronto. Billy Batson, a troubled 14-year-old orphan living in Philadelphia, is set up to move into a new foster home – his seventh in a row – with the Vazquez family and their other five foster kids. One day, Billy gets on a subway car and finds himself transported to a different realm, where an ancient wizard gives him the power to transform into a godlike adult superhero by uttering the word “Shazam!” Billy and his new foster brother Freddy Freeman must learn what Billy’s new powers are and how to use them in order to stop the villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana from wielding powers of his own.[6][7]
The final scene of the movie was filmed in Philly yesterday all day from 8am til nearly midnight, with more than 200 extras, most from our area. That is what filming in Philadelphia means, employing our people. Thanks to the Film Tax Credits.
Just before wrapping, the fog finally lifted enough to get the shot of the skyline.
SHAZAM Films in Philly this Weekend, Kendall Jenner will be at Sixers Game Tonight
I received a tip from a reader about a film shooting here next week, called Franklin. My tipster had no idea what the movie was about, and they are downright the best in the sleuth business.
At first I jumped up and down with excitement, is it the Aretha Franklin biopic with Jennifer Hudson, OMgosh, but no it wasn’t that movie. It’s the much anticipated SHAZAM. Yes, long talked about among the fans, and now nearly done filming. Here’s what I know so far, and thanks to Wikepedia for a lot of the info. (BTW they could use our support. I donate to them every year as I use it often for curiosity, and for posts.)
Billy Batson, a troubled 14-year-old orphan living in Philadelphia, is set up to move into a new foster home – his seventh in a row – with the Vazquez family and their other five foster kids. One day, Billy gets on a subway car and finds himself transported to a different realm, where an ancient wizard gives him the power to transform into a godlike adult superhero by uttering the word “Shazam!” Billy and his new foster brother Freddy Freeman must learn what Billy’s new powers are and how to use them in order to stop the villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana from wielding powers of his own.[6][7]
The title of ‘Franklin’ is the “working title” for SHAZAM. Working titles give films a chance to go about various elements of production – such as casting extras and filming on locations – without drawing too much attention to themselves. A movie that shot here two years ago starring Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston, used a working title called “The Intouchables”, when it filmed here in February 2017. The movie is set in NYC, but filmed almost entirely in Philadelphia. On August 2, 2017, the film’s title was changed to “The Upside”. The release date is January 11, 2019.
According to comicbook.com “Franklin” is a pretty unique choice for Shazam!. Some have already taken the moniker to be a reference to Benjamin Franklin and his lightning-based experiments. With one of Billy Batson/Shazam’s powers being lightning manipulation, it’s a pretty perfect code name for the film to use. (source)
For the uninitiated, Working titles for superhero films have become a fun piece of trivia amongst fans, with some recent standouts including Avengers: Infinity War‘s ‘Mary Lou’, Spider-Man: Homecoming‘s ‘Summer of George’, and Justice League‘s ‘Caveman’.
This weekend and Monday they will be doing updated skyline shots, as well as other locations. Just a few more scenes to finish out production.
Check out the trailer here, you there SEPTA Orange Line I see you!!
Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons seem to be spending a lot more time together.The on-again-off-again back on again couple were first spotted earlier this month at Elbow Lane, a story I broke, then last weekend they went to two Stephen Starr hot spots: Parc on Friday night (perhaps on a recommendation by Caitlyn Jenner who ate there in Sept 2015 while on her book tour), then they stopped by The 1500 Lounge, Saturday night they went to Buddakan. Monday they had mulled wine at Christmas Village, and soup at the Wholefoods in the Art Museum (Daily Mail) area before Ben loaded up her luggage in a SUV and she flew back to LA, with his words still ringing in her ear, I’ll see you next weekend, as I reported yesterday. Sure enough tonight she’ll be at the Sixers game at Wells Fargo cheering on her beau.
HughE Around Town: Christmas Village, Tasty Talk, Giuseppe & Sons and M Night’s New Apple Show
Hello, it’s HughE here. Sorry I have not been consistent on PhillyChitChat. I was so swamped this social season, plus that darn sleep doctor, Dr. Thanjua Hamilton told me I needed to get more sleep. I realize sleeping cuts down on my productivity, but I am enjoying my zzz’s. Social season is slowing down and I’ll be more consistent here. ALSO New Year’s resolution, they’re here, I’m not going to miss any posts on PCC going forward. We’ll start now. It’s Thursday let’s see what’s going on around town.
The big news, winter is upon us. How crazy this year it was summer til nearly November, the leaves didn’t peak until after Halloween, and then it snowed. What a beautiful fall. Here’s a shot from earlier this week with last remnants of fall dot the landscape in Fairmount Park, and icicles are hanging from the stone bridge on Kelly Drive. Always be wary of black ice, which you can see on the roadway here.
Christmas Village opened softly with a bang in November, and then with a beautiful visit from the Christkind (Germany’s “santa claus”) on Sunday November, 25, 2018. Shoppers will find boutique items from soaps and clothing to custom-made handbags and scarves, there authentic German food, mulled wine, Kendall Jenner posted on her Insta Stories earlier this week how delicious it was, when she stopped by with Ben Simmons. (While in town they had dinner at Parc, Buddakan, partied at the 1500 Lounge, stopped by Whole Foods on South Street before she headed home to LA. I hear he loaded the SUV with her luggage, kissed her goodbye and said I’ll see you in a week.)
Bethany and Sue Marvel at their Zaney Goose Ugly Sweater store at the Christmas Village official opening Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Love Park. (Mom don’t look at that reindeer sweater)
When you enter Christmas Village there are great information boards on the vendor locations through out the Village.
Go for the cheese sandwiches, but enjoy the Wisconsin men eye candy as they work. Baked Cheese Haus prepares a Wisconsin artisanal cheese sandwich called the Raclette at the Christmas Village official opening Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Love Park. To find them they’re located near the Northwest corner, near 16th and the Parkway
Romel K. McInnis, Choral Director, and the Clearview Vocal Esemble at the Christmas Village opening Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Love Park.
This years there’s a designated area to eat and enjoy your friends and family.
Speaking of family I ran into my cousins Joe Laux and Marion Rosener at the Christmas Village official opening Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Love Park.
Running from Thanksgiving (11/22/18) through Christmas Eve (12/24/18) with a preview weekend on November 17th and 18th, Christmas Village in Philadelphia will once again bring the charm of an authentic German Christmas market to Center City Philadelphia.
Tuesday night I stopped by the Academy of Music where dedicated Committee Members, Underwriters and Restoration Fund Donors took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Old Lady of Locust Street. The committees are essential to the continued preservation of this National Historic Landmark. If you are interested in getting involved or learning more visit www.academyofmusic.org
The 162nd Anniversary Concert and Ball is coming up quickly January 26, 2019. Tickets are still available. HERE It’s Philadelphia’s most fabulous party of the year—the annual Anniversary Concert and Ball, a spectacular white-tie event with star-studded performances, dining, and dancing, all supporting an iconic historic landmark.
Then I headed over to Giuseppe & Sons for a celebratory dinner with Sheila Hess, Dr. Thanuja Hamilton (who made her debut on Dr. Oz)and moi (for the wonderful article in Philly Mag –One Day in Philly: HughE Dillon, Society Photographer ). We stopped by another celebratory table to say hi to Billy Riddle, Kristina Jenkins, Joshua Jenkins, Frank Kemp, GM of G&S, Jackie Kemp and Jen Carroll. Jen tells me that Spice Finch serves Brunch now.
Apple as you know has given a straight-to-series order for a psychological thriller written by Tony Basgallop and produced by M. Night Shyamalan, with Night set to direct the first episode which begins filming next week. Don’t expect to see the production on the streets of Philadelphia as it will be filming in Aston, Pa at the Sun Center Studios, sans one scene.
See you tomorrow , and on Sunday for more HughE Around Town here on Philly Chit Chat. Thanks
More than 200 Philadelphia-area asset management industry professionals gathered on Nov. 1 at The Logan Philadelphia to raise money for Take A Breather Foundation and to celebrate Philadelphia’s deep roots in national financial markets and services.
The Philadelphia Fund Alliance is a group of Philadelphia-based asset management industry professionals formed to hold an annual fundraiser to benefit one or more charities in the greater Philadelphia area. The annual fundraiser not only supports a great cause, but it also will highlight Philadelphia’s deep roots and influence in national financial markets and services, including traditional mutual funds and alternative asset vehicles. Through our annual event, we will raise money for a local charity and, as an ancillary benefit, we will raise awareness about our collective accomplishments and milestones in the asset management industry.
Soumya Stanley and Jenelle Lewis (Ernst & Young)
Speaker Matthew McCloskey
(Take A Breather Foundation)
Devereux Pennsylvania’s 19th annual Hope Gala raises more than $180,000 for children and adults with special needs
Nearly 350 guests entered the enchanted “Secret Garden” at Devereux Advanced Behavioral HealthPennsylvania’s 19th annual Hope Gala to raise critical funds for children and adults with special needs.
The November 10 black-tie event at Philadelphia’s Moulin at Sherman Mills raised more than $180,000 to benefit the 3,500 individuals with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences Devereux serves in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Catherine Hobbs and Cameron Kelly of jewelry sponsor Lisi Lerch.
Lindsey Clark, Mackenzie Clark, Sue Clark, and Devereux CEO Carl E Clark
“Every year at the Hope Gala, we are overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of our attendees who give so willingly to help Devereux continue to advance its mission, which is to unlock and nurture human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences,” said Devereux President and CEO Carl E. Clark II. “The Gala offers a fantastic opportunity to thank our donors, friends and supporters with an extraordinary event, and to share with them the incredibly positive impact their support is making in our communities.”
This year’s “Secret Garden” theme, which was brought to life with thoughtful décor and specially crafted food and drinks, transported guests to an elegant and serene garden setting. The theme evoked the uniqueness, beauty and potential of the individuals we serve every day.
Leah Yaw and Steve Bollinger
Lisa Scolari, Steve Scolari, Tom Keiser and Debora Keiser
Alex Dole, Renee Dole, Laura Martin, and Aonghus Martin
Alec Clark, Pattie Hillis-Clark, Rhea Fernandes, Yolanda Graham, Lisa Thomas, and Brian Thomas
Joins us for our 2019 Hope Gala on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. To learn more about Devereux Pennsylvania’s programs and services, click here. To learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, click here. Thanks to Mike Hirata for shooting this for Philly Chit Chat.
A Conversation with Rodney McLeod at SAKS on Fashion
Earlier this week Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles Safety Rodney McLeod sat down with Ryan Williams, CMD – VP/ General Manager – Saks Fifth Avenue Monday night to talk about fashion trends. Ryan Williams, Rodney McLeod and Lloyd Freeman, Archer Law and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Big Brothers Big Sisters Philadelphia Region. Some proceeds from the evenings shopping experience supported BBBS.
RDS Enterprise showcased some of their luxury cars for guests to experience.
Beauty abounds with Kristy Sevag, who handled the PR for the event with best bud Jenn Frederick
Sam Brook and Samantha Paz, Marketing Manager at Saks Fifth Avenue
A fashion conscious crowd turned out for the special evening at SAKS Fifth Ave at 2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd,
Lite bites by Constellation were served during the event.
Thanks Joshua Brunstetter for the Truffles
Longtime customers Danielle Dolente, Madison Dolente, and Olivia Resnik stopped
Mary Campitelli ,Taylor Campitelli and Connie Kellly
A few of my favorite things. My mother loves this perfume.
Craig Johnson, Wendy Saltzman and Francesco Reale
Rodney and Ryan get down to serious fashion business. Rodney says fashion has always been a staple in his life. His friends growing up in Baltimore always prided themselves in looking good. They felt more confident wearing clothes that were stylish, and looked good on them.
Fashion is important, but make sure you’re wearing something your comfortable in, and it fits.
Check out the Saks Fifth Avenue Black Friday Deals here
That’s a Wrap: 17 Bridges is Done filming in Philly, and after Tonight in NYC
What a busy fall – between the exciting Fall Social Season where Philly Chit Chat was booked nearly every day, sometimes three times a day between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, and the filming of 17 Bridges with Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller and Taylor Kitsch. It’s a wrap, the social season is over and so is 17 Bridges
17 Bridges wraps filming tonight in Manhattan, but last week it officially wrapped in Philadelphia when they filmed this scene on the “courthouse” steps in NYC at a police press conference. This scene took less than one hour to film, and filmed about 1030PM. Afterwards some of the cast, and most of the crew headed to aka.university city to complete the second day of filming there as the aka doubled for the Highline hotel in Manhattan.
17 Bridges as you know by know, is set in NYC. There’s a shoot out that takes place outside the Mosto restaurant. Policemen are killed which sets off a police chase after the criminals ending up in Manhattan. Extreme measures are taken and all 17 bridges leading onto the island are closed and the pursuit kicks into high gear.
Thanks to Unite Fitness for allowing me to “hideout” in their 2nd floor gym over night to catch the action one night. It really was a thrill, and a once in a lifetime experience to see a movie being filmed.
Brooklyn seems to have a lot of graffiti
And although I wasn’t able to get the best photos from this position, I knew I’d be able to tell a story
And it turned out better than I could have ever planned
Thanks to CBSPhilly and Matt Petrillo for staying up with me for part of the night covering the filming of 17 bridges on 20th Street, I mean Haverchick and 3rd.
This was only the 2nd time I ever met Matt, but we’ve been following each other on Social Media for years and years.
When I go on shoots I try and photograph the extras, but it was a bit dark to get clear shots
They water down the street so it appears lively in films
Thanks to the films Production Assistants, Security and other folks who were super polite as I got my shots.
When shooting in plain sight it helps to respect them. I usually just spent 30 – 60 mins to grab my shots, ascertain the story so I can convey it to you. That way you don’t have to freeze yourself, and can enjoy dining at your local fav spot.
Speaking of look how they converted Shake Shake
Into a construction site
Thanks to Heery Casting and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, and the PAFIA for bringing these films to Philly. Check out their sites on how you can be an extra, and more about the Film Tax Credit. These films bring a much needed boast to our economy.
Also these organizations do not give me tips on the filming. They sign NDA’s and by law are not allowed to talk to me about the film. I have over 100’s readers who are generous and kind, never asking me for anything except to go get a story. I really appreciate that. I love doing this, it’s a great hobby.
I do at the end of a film donate photos to the Film Office for their use, which hopefully helps in bringing more films to Philly.
As for the actors they were all very low key. Chadwick was really nice to fans. He posed with most anyone who asked, but preferred to pose with the kids he told a source on the set. He didn’t sign any autographs while he was here. I hear he was a perfect gentleman at the building where he lived, often holding the front door open for the ladies who entered.
Thanks to my friends over at the Murano who allowed me to hang out on their balcony up until Midnight lunchtime, which seemed to be the regular time 17 Bridges broke for lunch. Most all of their shoots were over night. Thanks for the memories, I had a great time. See you on the big screen next summer.
I apologize for missing posts this week on PhillyChitChat.com I’ve been shooting events day and night, but the good news is the intense schedule of Fall Social Season is coming to an end on Monday. Intense means events I’m hired to shoot fall to one a day, then about 4 a week until Spring Social Season which begins in March. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a busy season like this, which is a blessing. I often do each blog entry daily, and they’re not scheduled ahead. Perhaps after a decade I should look into such a time saving method. To keep up to date with me follow me on Twitter or Instagram. I hope to return to blogging begining on Monday. Today, Thursday, I have 3 events and a dinner. The first event begins at 7:30AM. Yesterday I shot two events, and I was awake until 215am creating columns.
Thanks for understanding. This won’t happen again. I feel like I’ve let you down.
Creed 2, 17 Bridges, and Bradley Cooper – A Star Studded Weekend in Phillywood
The cast of Creed 2 was in town this weekend for a press junket. Michael B Jordan, Dolph Lundgren, Tessa Thompson, Florian “Big Nasty” Munteanu and director Steve Caple, Jr. were breathing the same air as us….. Photo Credit: Bernetta Ayers
* Saturday they popped into a screening of Creed 2 at UA Riverview where some of the crew who worked on the movie attended as well as invited guests. They told the crowd that Philly was so good to them of course, cause Philadelphia is the co-star in the movie. The cast made their way around the theater as much as possible to pose for photos.
*The cast then headed to Vernick for dinner, before ending the night at Scarpetta for a nightcap.
Michael B Jordan and Frankie Musser, Jr.
Back at their hotel I hear they posed for quite a few fans as well.
Creed II opens November 21st – my friends tell me it’s wonderful
Bradley Cooper was in town this weekend. I obtained permission for the girl who posted a photo on instagram to use it on Fox 29. (Photo credit: Emma Atkinson)
Saturday: Bradley Cooper attended the annual GA-PC Day between arch rivals Germantown Academy and Penn Charter. The event was held at Cooper’s alama matter Germantown Academy, he posed for photos with a lot of the students.
Saturday night: Cooper was at Gypsy Blu in Ambler, Pa for his 25th reunion with the class of 1993.
The movie 17 Bridges is winding down with only about 3 weeks left of filming. This past week they were filming a lot of subway scenes, mostly in North Philly. Over the weekend they returned to Center City where they filmed on 16th Street between Sansom and Chestnut Streets. Then on Market St last night,
even changing this subway station to say 23rd Street in NYC – Subway Line 7.
Then it was back to Market Street for more scenes like this, which I shot last Sunday night at the same time.
Just so you know Philly, like 17 Bridges, when you see Creed 2 you will discover that Philly doubled for many locations in that movie as well. I dont want to spoil it but Philly doubles for Moscow, New York City, Las Vegas and California where Creed, Jr. and his family live. Philadelphia the City benefits from these movies being filmed here financially as well as employing many locals.
Chris Rebman, Mike Beattie and
Alex Dole, Renee Dole, Laura Martin, and Aonghus Martin
Alec Clark, Pattie Hillis-Clark, Rhea Fernandes, Yolanda Graham, Lisa Thomas, and Brian Thomas
Ryan Williams, Rodney McLeod and 
RDS Enterprise showcased some of their luxury cars for guests to experience.
Longtime customers Danielle Dolente, Madison Dolente, and Olivia Resnik stopped
Dr Thanuja Hamilton selfie on Instagram
