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Photos: Opera On The Mall : ‘We Shall Not Be Moved’

Find links from parties I shot this week at the bottom.

Last Saturday Andre Flewellen photographed Opera Philadelphia’s Opera On The Mall : ‘We Shall Not Be Moved’
Here are a few shots he got.

Guests brought their picnic baskets and blankets and enjoyed a FREE, big-screen broadcast of We Shall Not Be Moved!

Now in its eighth year, Opera on the Mall has attracted nearly 30,000 opera fans and newcomers to Independence National Historical Park for an evening of opera under the stars.

David B. Devan, General Director & President Opera Philadelphia

This year’s Opera on the Mall pick pulls from a tragic moment in Philadelphia’s past: the 1985 bombing of the black liberation group MOVE in West Philly.

“We Shall Not Be Moved” tells a story of five North Philadelphia teens on the run who find refuge in an abandoned house, which they discover was once the headquarters for the MOVE organization.

Check out these links to find your photo:
Opera on the Mall

Leslie Odom at Philly Pops

Jefferson Hospital JAZ Tank: CannaVATION

BBBS Golf Outing

Steppingstone Scholars Gala

The Wistar Gala

CraftNow Phila

For photos I took this weekend I will post links on Wednesday of where they were published, as well as on my social media as they come online. Have a great day…

Ten Thousand Villages Pops Up, LoveSac & Another Bank on Ritt Row?
HughE Around Town – Happy Friday

I could do a weekly blog post just on the ever changing Walnut Street retail. It is my favorite street to walk, great stores, good people watching and lots of entertainment. Don’t forget to tip your street performers.

Ten Thousand Village has Pop Up in the old Philly Photo Pop Up space at Walnut & Juniper.

The popular, feel good, charitable Ten Thousand Village, used to be located up the street until it was shuttered in recent months.

Rittenhouse Row once had a rule about not having banks on their prestigious Walnut Street. But then  Santander Bank took over the Joan Shepp space a few years back, and now I see Chase is moving into the old bank/coffee shop Capital One Café, which moved across the street. Maybe this corner was grandfathered and that’s why Chase is allowed to set up shop here. In 2001 Phila Business Journal wrote a story about what is and isn’t allowed on Walnut Street.
Speaking of banks, the former Conestoga Bank is now a Shakespeare & Co., a coffee shop/book store

Based in Manhattan, Shakespeare & Co. bookstore on Walnut Street is about 3,000 sq. ft. and has a café with seating and Wi-Fi, as well as a book machine (Espresso) and carefully selected inventory. With the Espresso machine, the stores will not only be able to “showcase” books, but will also be able to print the books customers want that may not be on the shelves. Customers will also be able to self-publish their own books using the Espresso machine. (more info)
Lovesac is opening a showroom at 1726 Walnut Street. Lovesac is an American furniture retailer, specializing in a patented modular furniture system called Sactionals. Sactionals consist of two combinable pieces, “Seats” and “Sides, ” as well as custom-fit covers and associated accessories. Lovesac also sells Sacs, a beanbag filled with a proprietary foam mixture. (Google pix)

This is on my want list, who doesn’t want to return to the womb sometimes? (website)

From here to Eternity, the store on Walnut Street has closed, but you can still find your favorite nightlife
slinky dress at the 1410 Chestnut Street store.

Now this is big – legendary KISS frontman Paul Stanley is an artist of many talents. He’s appearing at the Wentworth Gallery in King of Prussia Mall on Friday 10/12, then heading to their other store – Wentworth Gallery Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in AC for another appearance.

Working for the Weekend!!
Hope to see you at @brauhausschmitz 3Rd Annual Armory Oktoberfest – all weekend long; and @midtownvillagephilly Fall Festival on Saturday and @oldcityphilly Fall Festival Sunday. << I’ll be shooting at these three. Tweet or Instagram tag me so I can find you.
Weather looks great. #savethedatephl 
Check out the Philly Voice for more info

Philly Retail: Ten Thousand Villages Pops Up, Lovesac Coming and

Ten Thousand Village has Pop Up in the old Philly Pop Up space at Walnut & Juniper.

The popular, feel good, charitable Ten Thousand Village, used to be located up the street until it was shuttered in recent months.

Rittenhouse Row once had a rule about not having banks on their prestigious Walnut Street. But then Santander Bank took over the Joan Shepp space, and now Chase is moving into the old bank/coffee shot Capital One Café, which moved across the street. Maybe this corner was grandfathered and that’s why Chase is allowed to set up shop here. In 2001 Phila Business Journal wrote a story about what is and isn’t allowed on Walnut Street.

Speaking of banks, the former Conestoga Bank is now a Shakespeare & Co., a coffee shop/book store

Based in Manhattan, Shakespeare & Co. bookstore on Walnut Street is about 3,000 sq. ft. and has a café with seating and Wi-Fi, as well as a book machine (Espresso) and carefully selected inventory. With the Espresso machine, the stores will not only be able to “showcase” books, but will also be able to print the books customers want that may not be on the shelves. Customers will also be able to self-publish their own books using the Espresso machine. (more info)

Lovesac is opening a showroom at 1726 Walnut Street. Lovesac is an American furniture retailer, specializing in a patented modular furniture system called Sactionals. Sactionals consist of two combinable pieces, “Seats” and “Sides, ” as well as custom-fit covers and associated accessories. Lovesac also sells Sacs, a beanbag filled with a proprietary foam mixture.

This is on my want list, who doesn’t want to return to the womb sometimes?

Now this is big – legendary KISS frontman Paul Stanley is an artist of many talents. He’s appearing at the Wentworth Gallery in King of Prussia Mall on Friday 10/12, then heading to their other store – Wentworth Gallery Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in AC for another appearance.

#ArtPup presented by the Association for Public Art took place over the passed few months
I finally had a chance to go on one of the tours last week.

It was adorable, and I wish I had gone on a tour earlier. I can’t wait til next years Pup Art

Closing Reception: Icons: By Natalie Hope McDonald October 19

Natalie Hope McDonald (l) and friend

Last month I checked out the solo show by Natalie Hope McDonald on LGBT icons and iconography, featuring original pen and ink drawings, word wallpaper, and wearable art. The opening reception Sept. 14, but you can check out the cool art work on view daily through Oct. 26 at the William Way Center in the Gayborhood.

Sunday is a great time to check out the show as the neighborhood will be celebrating national coming out day and they’re
having a block party Info  here for Pride Block Party
Billy Geftman (a friend of 30 years) and an icon himself Donald Carter
I like their fashion

Pennsylvania offers online voter registration. You can register to vote by mail in Pennsylvania by printing a copy of the National Voter Registration Form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Register to Vote in Pennsylvania by October 9

HERE

The funds raised will be used to boost voter turnout in November’s key midterm elections and support under-funded candidates and grassroots organizations in southeastern Pennsylvania through the next presidential election in 2020.

Mark Howard (can you believe he’s 81! Retiring in 2007 at age 71) and Susan Howard

Renee and Joseph Zuritsky

Check out more photos from the event at Philly Style Magazine HERE

About Last Night: Feastival

Hey guys sorry for the spotty blog postings this week, as you know I photographed so many events last weekend that it has taken all week to process the photos for the media. Last night I attended one of the best events of the season – Feastival. As usual it was over the top amazing. I have compiled a few photos to showcase the evening. Look for photos to appear in November’s Philly Mag as well as today on CBSPhilly. Have a great Weekend.

Audi FEASTIVAL is Philadelphia’s premier annual fundraiser benefiting FringeArts, which brings the hottest movers and shakers in the city’s business, culinary, and arts scenes into one exclusive, unforgettable party on the Delaware Waterfront.

Arthur Etchells and Michelle Cassidy Etchells 
Albert Lee and Danielle Sievers
Fabiola Cineas, Business Column Philly Mag, and Alex Tewfik, Foobooz Philly Mag
Virgil, David and Wendell
Townsend Wentz and friends
Dan Reinherz, Hadas Kuznits and Melony Roy JonCarl Lachman excited to open take over part of the Washington Square West landmark More Than Just Ice Cream after it closes next week.  Winkel will be opening in November says Mike Klein.

2018 marks the annual Fringe Festival’s 22nd year, bringing the best contemporary, innovative and ground-breaking art to Philadelphia. Each September for the past nine years, this premier arts festival joined forces with Philadelphia’s world-class restaurants to present Audi FEASTIVAL, a benefit for FringeArts. Described as a “completely delicious and amazing” evening and named “one of the best events in the last decade,” Audi FEASTIVAL celebrates both our artistic and culinary scenes – two great economic engines that push Philadelphia forward. Audi  FEASTIVAL has been hailed as “the cultural event of the year,” “best party in Philadelphia,” and “a party from a different world”.

#FourSeasonsPopDown Philly Party

#FourSeasonsPopDown Philly Party took place last night at Bok Bar in South Philly. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when I received the invite in June, but I had planned to attend. Then Philly Fall Social Season started after Labor Day, and this past weekend I photographed 11 events. I realized Pop Down, was just a Pop Dream for me and I’d have to miss it to try and catch up on my work.
So thanks to Sheila Hess for sending a few my way, I hear it was a hot party.

Everyone I knew was there, it really was an amazing event and beautifully decorated.
It was a celebration of the future Four Seasons Hotel, scheduled to open in 2019
Sharon Pinkenson and Mike Jerrick were there, as were many local reporters and anchors.
This week the movie 17 Bridges with Chadwick Boseman, has started filming in Philly. On Monday it was filming inside a building on 16th and Arch, and yesterday and
today it’s near 3rd and Wood in Old City. As I mentioned I’m slammed with work and haven’t been able to go out and capture the film, which I hear had over 100 extras dressed as NYC cops as background yesterday.
Are you ready to party? @fsphiladelphia has taken over an old high school-turned rooftop bar (@bok_bar) and filled it with masters of their craft: Chef @jeangeorges, floral artist @jeffleatham & many more. #fourseasonspopdown #philly #hotelnews #hospitalitynews @FourSeasons
Spotted among the plants was Nicole Michalik, Matthew Ray, Ben Simmons, Michael Braunstein, Alexander Hankins, Leah Kauffman, Kenneth Hilario, Yocasta Lora, Dr. Jen Caudle, Davida Janae, Alex and Mike  – both sets, Jason D. Bloom, M.D.
Brittney Shipp, and so many more who enjoyed the event of the season as Matt Ray tells me.
Rachel Vigoda‏ who has the best video of the evening.
Alissa Frederico, Alex Holley (condolences on her great grandmother passing away), Sheila Hess and DJ Jazzy Jeff
who was spinning at the hot party, on the same day his musical partner Will Smith celebrated his 50th birthday by bungee jumping.

Spectacular tent
Sheila Hess and the best dressed couple in Philly – Brandon Morrison and Stacey Kracher.
Check out where Brandon was on Saturday in my CBSPhilly columnAnother spectacular party I shot this week was the Walnut Club honors Gloria Allred. At it’s completion the founders, Gloria and Marilyn Russell
danced on stage to Laura Brannigan’s Gloria – The Philly Voice

A few more parties I photographed last week
Philly Style

And then yesterday if you tried to come into PhillyChitChat, we were off the air as the Alicia DiMichele wedding photos were very popular with her fans from around the world. Bluehost, my server, told me PCC was overwhelmed with 1ks hits an hour. In the end I had to have Alicia delete all references to my blog, and when it finally went live again I had a record 10ks hits for only being “live” for 7 hrs yesterday. So you can imagine yesterday was a fairly stressful day, and I needed a chillaxing night. Check out the wedding ceremony held at DILWORTH Park TODAY, but not all at once

The view from my balcony last night – I hope they keep the Lateran lit going forward.

Cheers to the Four Seasons soon to open at the top of the Comcast Center.
What a nice party to celebrate their future.

Alicia DiMichele Marries Rob LaScala

What a wonderful surprise it was to be invited to Alicia DiMichele and Rob LaScala’s very intimate wedding on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at City Hall, on Dilworth Plaza. I wasn’t able to attend the reception as I had been booked a year out for a charity event, but I did see the wonderful love of friends and family during the beautiful wedding that afternoon.

I hate titling Alicia DiMichele, a star of Mob Wives: New Blood on VH1 as I know she’s much more than just the title that got her fame.  To me she’s a terrific mom, partner, friend and entrepreneur, creating her eponymous clothing store Alicia DiMichele Boutique In the past few years since the popular Mob Wife show went off the air, she’s been sharing her life on social media. She’s beloved, just read the comments her Social Media fans leave. I’m lucky, I’ve gotten to know her over the years, and she’s always been supportive in my life appearing at charity events which I support.  I couldn’t be happier for her, meeting “the last love of her life” and marrying Rob LaScala, a very successful restaurateur in the Philly area.

Many of the guests were staying across the street at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, and arrived for the wedding a few moments before start time. Above is her brother Anthony DiMichele, who is co owner/operator of Alicia’s boutique.

Also spotted in the crowd was Dorothy Toran an executive in charge of production at Sirens Media which producers the Real Housewives of New Jersey. The rumor is either Alicia is going to join the Real Housewives of New Jersey, or be a part of the forever trying to launch, Real Housewives of Philadelphia. Wait and see….
Liz and John Walsh,
good friends of Rob LaScala.
John Walsh’s sister Colleen is my sister’s Crista’s best friend since Kindergarten
Small world!! Cousin in Law, and more importantly BFF Maureen Vecere captured the day on Alicia’s instagram account.
It was nice to meet her husband Vinnie.

Guest, Alisa Martino Frederico, Jill Rizen and Andy Henning
Alicia giving her boys love before they walk into their future

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Congrats @aliciadimichele or should I say Mrs. Robert LaScala . Photos on PhillyChitChat.com my blog on Sunday #wedding #phillyweddingvenue #philly #bride #pccbuzz #mrslascala. Walked down aisle by sons

A post shared by Philly ChitChat (@phillychitchat) on Sep 22, 2018 at 1:55pm PDT

Carlo, Anthony and Rocco walk their mother down the aisle at Dilworth Park on Saturday, September 22, 2018

Alicia told me she fell in love with the dress when she saw the “belt” at the waist.
The boys suits were custom made by Edge Tailoring
The officiant was former Governor Edward Rendell
The vowels were serious, but as everyone was nervous their were a few takes on getting all the correct words in, and in order.

aliciadimicheleI want to share something special with all of you. When Rob and I were on our Easter vacation, we were starting to plan our wedding. We talked about what we both wanted, and we both agreed that we wanted it to be soon, right after summer, so September was perfect. All we really cared about was having our boys there and family and a few close friends to celebrate. We never looked at the calendar (we were laying by the pool) lol That night I prayed to help us pick a date. And the number 22 flashed in my mind as I woke up. I immediately pushed it out of my mind as September 22nd is the day my father passed away. I never even mentioned this to Rob. As the days went on I was seeing 22 everywhere. On the last day, we were again by the pool and 22 kept coming in my mind. I took out my phone and looked on the calendar. I was so curious now as to what day was the 22nd even on that month?? I can’t believe it, it was a Saturday. This was my sign🙏🏼On that day I lost the first love of my life. I whole heartedly know without a doubt that my dad sent me Rob. And now my dad made sure that on that once sad day, will turn into my best day. I will be marrying the last love of my life👰🏻 #whatagift #evenwhenwereghosts #thankyoudaddy #wedding #weddinggift

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Robert LaScala

Stats on 17th Celebrates it’s Opening, and Tee Fish’s Birthday Next Week

You read it hear first over the summer, Stats on 17th was opening in time for the Fall sports season. I was there to photograph opening night.

Philadelphia’s new ultimate sports bar and nightclub Stats on 17th celebrated its grand opening in Rittenhouse  Thursday, September 6, 2018. The grand opening festivities continued all weekend with a packed house catching NFL football and other sports on TV’s that dot the new sports venue.

Friday and Saturday night will feature the areas top DJs and entertainment at 10:00pm. Stats Sundays will make their debut with game day action, DJs, entertainment, drink specials and more starting at 3:00pm. Stats on 17th is now taking reservations for tables, bottle service and private events by calling 215-309-3080 or visiting statson17.com

HOURS
Bar/Club Overall Hours:
Mondays – 4:00pm to 12:00am (Monday Night Football Specials)
Tuesdays – 4:00pm to 12:00am
Wednesdays – 4:00pm to 12:00am
Thursdays – 4:00pm to 12:00am
Thursdays – 4:00pm to 12:00am (Thursday Night Football Specials)
Fridays – 11:00am to 8:00pm (Transition to nightclub 9:30pm to 2:00am)
Saturdays – 11:00am to 8:00pm (Transition to nightclub 9:30pm to 2:00am)
Sundays – 11:00am to 12:00am (Sunday Funday/ #StatsSundays at 3:00pm)

Kitchen Hours:
Mondays through Thursdays – 4:00pm to Midnight
Fridays and Saturdays – 11:00am to 8:00pm
Sundays – 11:00am to 11:00pm

HAPPY HOUR FOOD SPECIALS
Monday through Thursday
4:00pm to 6:00pm

ASHLEY’S SIGNATURE BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALL $7.00
(chicken meatball with grinded celery served with buffalo sauce topped with blue cheese crumbles and blue cheese dressing)

STATS Nachos $5.00
(nacho chips served with chicken, guacamole, jalapenos, Pico de Gallo, sour cream, and hot sauce)

Grilled Veggie Quesadilla $5.00
(veggie quesadilla served with a side of sour cream)

STATS Fries $5.00
(Hand cut fries served with a side of smoke aioli or sweet potato cut topped with powdered sugar served with a side of maple mustard)

Sheila Hess, City Rep and Justin Veas

Anita Oh and Tee Fish at the Stats on 17th Opening

Tee Fish is a familiar name and face to those in the Center City club industry as he has served as doorman and security for 18 straight years at clubs like Rumor, G Lounge, Egypt, Shampoo, Tango, Zee Bar and more. He won best door host award in the Philadelphia Nightlife for three years in a row. He said, “I am very excited to once again work in Rittenhouse at Stats on 17th. This area is amazing and I love the people of our city. I am proud to be part of this new project and work with Justin and the team for the first time. See you at the door this weekend!”

Come out and help him celebrate his birthday next Thursday 9/27/18 at Stats on 17th.