Category: Uncategorized

4^th Philadelphia Zoo hosted its Annual Global Conservation Gala

On Thursday October 4^th Philadelphia Zoo hosted its Annual Global Conservation Gala, an iconic event that honors extraordinary people doing extraordinary things for wildlife and the world.  The theme of this year’s Gala, held at the Zoo, was water and the importance this critical natural element is to life in general. Honorees at the Gala included a forward-thinking environmentalist, Thomas Dolan IV, who received The Conservation Impact Award and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, an organization that has reversed the trajectory of the Rodrigues Fruit Bat, a species once close to extinction, awarded the Global Conservation Award. The honorees were celebrated their outstanding work, incredible passion, and unwavering dedication to conservation.

It was a beautiful evening despite the dreary rainy weather which has daunted our area for the past year.
Every year the Zoo’s Mary Love and her team really hit the mark when creating the decor and atmosphere of the gala

Hey Bea
Usually the cocktail party would take place among the beautifully landscaped grounds, but because of the “on brand” rain, we all joked it was, the cocktail party was moved inside under the grand tent where dinner took place.

Since its inception in 2010, the Zoo’s Global Conservation Gala has honored individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, and achievement in the world of conservation. It has also advanced the Zoo’s mission to connect people with wildlife, create joyful discovery and inspire action for animals.  This year’s Gala, co-chaired by Holly and Orlando Esposito and Patti Owens and Jeff Saltz, had more than 500 attendees and is the largest fundraising event for the Zoo.

Philadelphia Zoo Board Member Dale Presitipino and wife TraceyPresitipino.

Global Conservation Gala attendee Shaina Hamilton and husband Philadelphia Zoo Board Member Nat Hamilton

Philadelphia Zoo President & CEO, Vikram H Dewan, Philadelphia ZooBoard Member Joanna M. Lewis, Philadelphia Zoo Chairman of the Board, F. William McNabb III

Global Conservation Gala attendees Meredith and Sheri Swinney-Donley

Aicha Ly and Kernika Gupta

Jason Cevera, Rachel Cevera, Sonni Barma, Adam Kohn, Jody M. Lewis and Diana Ramsey

Philadelphia Zoo Gala Event Co-Chairs Jeff Saltz, Patti Owens, Global Conservation Awardee Vikash Tatayah, Conservation Director Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Philadelphia Zoo Gala Co-Chairs, Orlando Esposito, Holly Esposito

On Friday October, 20, 2018, a benefit for the Barnes Foundation celebrating the opening of the international exhibition
Berthe Morisot: Woman Impressionist, a much anticipated show took place at the museum.

 

The festive black-tie evening took place at the Center City museum, which was beautifully decorated with floral design by Table Art, Valley Forge Flowers and Sebesta Design highlighting the room and food stations. There was also a Champagne bar in Neubauer Plaza featuring the “French Kiss” by 13th Street Cocktails. .

Honorary Trustee Event Chairs were Pamela D. Bundy and Aileen K. Roberts.

 

 

Exhibitions at the Barnes are organized to amplify visitor understanding of the art, ideas and histories represented in the Barnes remarkable collections. – Thom Collins, Executive Director and President of the Barnes Foundation

 

 

 

 

Nicole Segal Floral Design did the white and red floral step and repeat

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pixs: Festive in Pink for Komen Philly’s Pink Tie Ball

Susan G. Komen Philadelphia celebrated the 2018 Impact Awards on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Vie, 600 North Broad Street, Philadelphia with a Black Tie Gala.

In Gondola 2018 Honoree: Frank J. Rauscher, III, PhD, The Wistar Institute. Professor, Gene Expression and Regulation Program of Wayne, Pa.

The evenings theme was Venice, as the guests were transported in time to the romantic city on the water.

Co-Chairs Thomas Bove and Michele T. Schina, welcomed more than 400 people as Jim Donovan and Natasha Brown acted as Emcees for the evening. Survivors, advocates, health care providers and supporters united for the event, which raised over $525,000 towards life-saving services for women in need.

Ronald Harper, Komen Philadelphia Board President, Elaine I. Grobman, Chief Executive Officer of Komen Philadelphia, Komen and Friend in the Fight Honoree: Joe Volpe, Founder and CEO, Cescaphe

Jim and Laura Lee

John and Palma Daly

 

Cescaphe always has an amazing cocktail party spread

The Komen Philadelphia community four mission pillars—research, community, care and action. It is an indispensable foundation to build on with the love we all share and work to multiply in order to defeat the killer that is breast cancer. Every day love gives us strength, confident and hope. Every day love makes it possible for more women and men to survive breast cancer. And, every day your love makes me grateful that you have joined our fight to conquer breast cancer.

Mardi and Jay Halbert

 

Jonida Mandarano and Bruno Mandarano
After the program, Society Hill Dance Company presented an elaborate dance to officially open the dance floor to guests for the evening.

 

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show 2018 Through Nov 3 at Convention Center

                

The 42nd annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show features 195 craft artists from across the United States showcasing their designs for the public. This year special guest artists from Germany will also be featured in the show. A preview party featuring a gala cocktail buffet will offer a first look at the works of the contemporary craft by artists featured in this year’s show.

For more than four decades The Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art has organized and presented this annual Juried Craft Show to fundraiser for the museum. Over the years the Show has raised more than $12 million, which has been used for renovations, Museum programs, and special exhibitions.

Michele V. Brotman, Chairman, 2018 Craft Show and Timothy Rub, George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Show itself is a wonderful opportunity for emerging and seasoned artists to come together and discuss and sell their work in the highly cultural and artistic city of Philadelphia. The preview party allows for attendees to interact with the artists before the show and intimately experience the hand-crafted art. The Preview Party was held last night, Thursday, November 1, 2018 from 4pm-9pm.
Harold and Lynne Honickman

Nancy Schiffer presented the Wharton Esherick Museum Excellence in Wood Award to an artist in the show, highlighting the fusion of craftsmanship and innovation to winner James Pearce, Pearce Woodworks

Moore College of Art is participating in the Craft Show again this year. You have to check out Nasheli Ortiz’ designs including this 3d dress

Spotted Angel Milou perusing Paz Sintes jewelry

Stephanie Wheat tries on a hat by Sabine Stasch, of Germany

This year’s Guest Artist Program at the 2018 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show features 26 artists from Germany

Barbara Tiffany checks out these beautiful Wolfgang Olbrisch leather handbags.

Guests enjoyed a lavish dinner including a mash potato buffet

Mary Ann Chou and George Chou

General Admission Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online or during the Show at the Convention Center.

Purchase Tickets now

Crosky Street and Delancey Street Halloween Trick or Treating

Happy Fall, just in time for Halloween the leaves popped out with their colorful hues setting the tone for the
unusally warm fun, spooky day. I had always heard that Delancey Street was a must do for Halloween fun, and I
made my way over there via the Schuylkill Trail.

That was a lucky move as I made my way through Fitler Square I was a little discombobulated coming from that direction and was confused where Delancey Street was.

When I asked for directions a nice women (who reads PhillyChitChat) sitting on the stoop told me about Crosky Street, and to stop there first.

Fitler Square

Crosky Street

The neighbors are keen in costume
And there are spooky attractions throughout the street

This was my favorite one. This dog would pop out from the Pet Cemetery with spooky mist. It scared the heck out of me

Not this kid though, who was eager to pet the beast

These folks told me the Crosky Street party began around 2005, as there are houses in alleys that are connected to the street, and the shrubbery often got trampled during Halloween, so they decided to create a party on Crosky Street and hand out goodies to the kids.

Then I headed over to Delancey Street for more treats.

 

 

 

This house provided selfie moments with Disney characters.

Wait is this a trick, no it’s true the Phila Art Museum put their tree up already. It’ll be lit on
Thanksgiving Day after the parade when Santa climbs the steps.
Head on over to CBSPhilly for some of the best Halloween shots I took last night.

 

Halloween in Philly: Shyamaween, Rodney McLeod’s Bowl-O-Ween

I went to a lot of cool Halloween parties these past 10 days. Here are a few of my favorite costumes.

 Dr. Bhavna Shyamalan and M. Night Shyamalan held their annual Halloween party Shyamaween Saturday night at Spin, the Ping Pong Social Club located in Center City.  Proceeds from the party go to support the
M. Night Shyamalan Foundation working to end poverty around the world.  
Surprise: Jaden Smith

Brandon Eric Kamin, Director/Producer Nomads and Ligia De Paula

Al Butler as Lenny Kravitz
Al is the GM of Fitler Club opening soon

Greg and Karen Basile

   

How do they see?

Philadelphia Eagles Safety Rodney McLeod hosts 2nd Annual Bowl-O-Ween Bash for AACR
(American Association for Cancer Research) Rodney with family, and fiance Erika Lee (r)
Seriously amazing Sonny and Cher  – Brandon Morrison and Stacey Kracher
Philadelphia Eagles team mate Corey Graham with the winning bid on Malcolm Jenkins signed jerseyCorey Clement ready to strike

The Annual 2018 NRG Media Charity Flag Football Game

Yesterday the 6th NRG Charity Flag Football Tournament took place at the NovaCare Center in South Philly. Media personalities took place in the annual event and each one was given $1,000 for a charity in their name, for a total of $30,000 . Celebrity/media charity flag football game at Nova Care complex in Philadelphia.

Kyle Scott, Crossing Broad

They said it was a friendly game of flag football.  Good thing it’s not shorts season anymore.

Kristen Herrmann, BenFM and Laura Boss, WOGL 98.1
or as I like to call her my producer at WOGL (I appear every Friday at 8AM)
Tori Woodill and Mina Say What get directions from Coach Tra Thomas

High Fives All Around by
Zach Seward, Technical.ly Philly
Matt O’Donnell, 6ABC. Did you know he’s a drummer in a band.
Roberta Pipito

Randy Gyllenhaal – NBC 10 Philadelphia

Krystal Rich

Marc Farzetta, 97.5 Fanatic

Kristen Rodgers, Fox 29 can serious throw a nice pass

Ilia García , Univision 65, Mina Say What, Sirius and Boom radio, Kristen Herrmann, 95.7 BenFM, Laura Boss, WOGL and Tori Woddill, CBS3

NRG general manager and vice president Mike Starck

Chris Connell, Fox 29 and Mina Say What

Vittoria Woodill, CBS3
Kristin bringing home the winning touchdown for her team
That we win feeling

 

FOX 29’s Chris O’Connell takes home runner-up MVP at NRG charity flag football game
@homemadedelish (Roberta Pipito – celebrity chef, food & lifestyle contributor), @coconnellfox29 (Chris O’Connell – anchor Fox 29), @krystlerich (Krystle Rich – NBC sports Philly), @kristenerodgers (Kristen Rodgers – sports Fox 29), @tonyabraham (Tony Abraham – reporter healthcare dive), @roxyromeo (Roxy Romeo – radio host Power99), @bennettonair (Bennett – radio host 96.5 fm) Thanks Rick for these

Check out the Charities everyone was playing for

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Spooktacular Halloween Party of Bill & Chris

For some reason my schedule just never jelled with the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Spooktacular
Chris Mullins and Bill Gehrman Halloween Party date, but this year it did!!

Thanks to everyone who could join us Friday night for our annual Halloween soiree. The great friends and guests and all of your creativity and kindness is what makes this party one of our favorite nights of the year. We raised more than $1,800 for Friends of the Rail Park thanks to your donations. If you did not get a chance to drop off your donation, feel free to donate online at www.therailpark.org. If we missed you this year, look for invites again around Labor Day 2019!

We have 10 months to decide on a theme (and to deal with that hole in the wall)!
(I like how they really go the extra mile for authenticity in their “haunted house!”

Halloween = Gay ChristmasJordan Parenti, Miguel Martinez-Valle and Mike Delaney

Bonnie Grant is that you (r)
I went as a lame bull, but discovered I was a better Dalmation
Mike did look like a cute matador though
Nick Pytel and Lisa Stefano.
Lisa has the best laugh, and smile that I know of.

Jim Lonsdale and Bryan Hoffman are electrifying

Angela Val and Danielle Cohn

Not a surprise that Thanju would find the paparazzi at a party

Lisa Stephano and Joan Rivera

The Mullins Kids

Andrew Ott and Kathryn Lovell Ott and the joker
And to all a good night. Can’t wait for next year!!
Happy Halloween!!

Rumored Spot for Wawa, Chadwick Wins Super Bowl Ball, Save The Date

Rush hour on the Schuylkill this morning. Sorry I’ve missed a few days on the ChitChat, so many events happening. When clients hire me to shoot their parties I try and place them in the media, and shooting day and night leaves little time for me do a blog post. I I’m going to try hard to have 6 entries in a row starting with Sunday 17 Bridges Update, and then featuring many of the parties I just shot, but focusing on their decor, which is fabulous.

Let’s check out HughE On The Town

OK I heard this rumor a few weeks ago, and haven’t had a chance to write about it. Wawa is looking to open
is this long empty space at 33-37 South 16th Street. I think the last occupant was a Sprint phone store.
It’s right next to Steve’s Prince of Cheesesteaks and across from Liberty Two, which is my next story.
Here’s the listing
Liberty Two updated their facade highlighting the entrance to R2L, The Residences and the office tower.
It’s lit at night as well. Very nice.
I see Del Frisco’s Grille’s sign has been installed. They’re looking to open in November, around the same time as
Cescaphe’s new even space The Lucy, located next door at Broad & Locust Streets, both part of the
Cambria Hotel.  I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the passing of Neil Stein, my neighbor, and someone I admired a great deal. He
is the Father of Philly’s restaurant Renaissance. Mike Klein has a nice write up of him here.

Celebs in Philly Out and About:

As part of Sonesta Philadelphia’s month-long Breast Cancer Awareness programming, Sonesta Philadelphia has commissioned 10 fashion figure sketches by Denise Fike that have gone up for auction today – all auction proceeds to benefit local non-profit Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

Each Denise Fike piece is inspired by the famed designs of Christian Dior, many of which are currently on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s newest exhibit: “Fabulous Fashion: From Dior’s New Look to Now.” Looks include –

• Christian Dior’s 1970 Mrac Bohan Collection
• Christian Dior’s 2004 Pret-a-Porter Collection based on Vintage Vogue Covers
• Christian Dior’s Fall 2010 Couture Collection
• Christian Dior’s Fall 1997 Couture Collection
• Christian Dior’s Fall 2005 Couture Collection
• Christian Dior’s 2008 Pret-a-Porter Collection
• Christian Dior’s Spring 2007 Couture Collection
• Christian Dior’s Spring 2011 Couture Collection
• Christian Dior’s Fall 2010 Haute Couture Collection

These 18” x 6” figures are the perfect décor for a fashionistas home! The website to bid is www.BiddingOwl.com/LBBC, and Denise’s work is starting at $100/figure. The auction will end on 10/31 at 10:00 pm.

Where are you going to watch the Eagles on Sunday. PJ Clarke’s is starting brunch that day, so that’s one choice.
Check out Philly Voice for a few more spots. 

In honor of National Adoption Month in November, our agency will be hosting the 2^nd Annual Share Your Heart Benefit Concert at Manayunk Brewing Company. On Thursday November 8, 2018 from 7-11pm, concertgoers can come join us for a night of great performances from two local alternative bands, The Barker Brothers and haha charade. All proceeds from the concert will go to Adoptions From The Heart’s Birth Parent Scholarship Fund. This fund has provided a total of 17 birth parents with financial assistance to attend either a four-year college or vocational school since its inception in 2014 . AFTH’s recent Birth Parent Scholarship winner is Felix Benyoussef, who started school this fall to pursue a nursing degree. Tickets for the concert are $20 per person, and can be purchased on AFTH’s 2^nd Annual Share Your Heart Benefit Concert .

Party Links for the Week Did I shoot You?

PHOTOS: Philly designer raises funds for animals in need
Philly Voice

Philly Style

HughE Dillon Gallery on CBSPhilly

The 10th annual Taste of Ardmore festival took Place Earlier this Month. Thanks to Andre Flewellen for photographing it for Philly Chit Chat and the local media. Here are a few photos we didn’t place elsewhere that I thought you might enjoy here.

The annual fundraiser for the Ardmore Initiative featured cuisine from dozens of neighborhood restaurants,
as well as wine, craft beer and cocktail sampling and live entertainment.
There’s was entertainment
It was held inside. Sign me up

Newly opened restaurants The Bercy, Ripplewood and Bam Bam Seoul Kitchen were there for people to enjoy samples, as well as favorites like Jules Thin Crust, Iron Hill and Besito. The full list of participants is available here.    Check out additional photos in these columns

Philadelphia Business Journal
CBS Philly