Philly Chit Chat

The Quest: Meet the Paladins: Lina Carollo and Jasmine Kyle Screening Party at Casa Carollo, Marlton NJ

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date August 7, 2014

Philly has two local residents participating in ABC’s new reality show “The Quest”

Jasmine Kyle from Media, PA (l), and Lina Carollo (r), a Delran school counselor, survived the first round of ABC’s The Quest, which debuted
Thursday night and will be on tonight with a fresh episode at 8PM. They attended a screening party at Casa Carollo, which
is owned by Lina’s parents. The party was sponsored by Golia Vodka

Guests were treated to a three course dinner
and all the action of the new reality show which is similar to
Survivor, where people get voted off and a Renaissance fair, as it’s set
in the middle ages. The 12 contestants find themselves immersed in a fantasy storyline complete with clothing to match the time, there are castles, horses, knights and
motes.

Rosanna, Brianna, and Sabrina Repsher with Lina’s proud mom Serafina Carollo

Mr Ravobaldo and Ms K

Lauren Nelson, Cara Burke, Christian Siciliano, Mac Varalli, Jamie Roth and PS Schwartz

Jeff , Ciaran and Jasmine Kyle (Jasmine met her knight in shining armor at a Renaissance Fair. Obsessed
with Tolkien growing up, the self-proclaimed horse geek writes her own Lord of the Rings fanfiction.) Follow her on Twitter as she gives you insider tidbits @JasmineLeiylani

Christian Siciliano and
Lina Carollo

Neil Diamond and Lina

Stacy Costa, Sophia Licciardello, Emily Licciardelloand Laurie Licciardello

Courtney Tiffany, Elaine Battaglia, and Maria DiPietro (Wearing my fav shirt.)

Michael and Jessica Daddino

Alexandra Cole, Melissa Hoey and Kim Sencaurige

Christian Siciliano, Cara Burke, and Jon Burke

Jillian Hickey and Lisa Hickey

Mike Klein, Mitch Ott, and Nicholette Olson

Jenn Goetzinger and Ayana Hicks served complimentary Golia Vodka to the guests.

Tune in tonight to see who will survive The Quest.

Philadelphia

I was there when Katy Perry Climb The Rocky Steps, plus pixs from her concert & her look a like Fans & Her Dad

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date August 6, 2014

Katy Perry performed two sold out shows at the Wells Fargo Center This Week.(Katy Perry Runs Up The Rocky Steps photos are at the bottom of the page.)

Thanks to Bentley Holdings for inviting me to hang with them Monday night in their box and catch the concert. Gregory Heinz, Daria Cuda, Morgan DeNicola, Cosmo DeNicola (co-owner of the Soul Football Team), Natalie Scarantino, Maura McGlone and Lauren Richardson

Before the show I captured a few of the Katy Perry fans. They were very excited to see her.

I ran into Katy Perry’s dad Keith Hudson who was more than happy to pose with fans.

A nice crowd was on hand for the concert.

There were lots of fun songs and costume changes

an ode to Grace Jones

At one point during the concert Katie stopped to take a selfie with a fan.

I happen to know that guy, his name is Temple University student Ian Raymond. He’s a uber fan of everyone current and always seems gets to meet his favorites. This has to be one of those most memorable times.

Katy Perry enjoys a Ralph & Rickey pizza with a fan.

Another fan interaction came when Katy Perry pulled up a local high school girl Madison for the Birthday Song. Madison’s bday is August 20.

One of my favorite moments of the concert came when Katy Perry flew around the arena, she came very close to all sections and the song Happy Bithday ended like this..

Spectacular!!

Monday night Katy told the fans she’d be going to a few museums during her stay

Tuesday she was more specific, saying on stage that she’d be going to the Philadelphia Art Museum to run up the Rocky Steps at midnight. She showed up (with a police escort) and so did about 200 fans.

as the night wore on more and more people showed up

Katy did her best to pose and chat with as many fans as possible during this crazy melee.The police did an amazing job with the crowd control. No matter how much the fans chanted run the steps, it wasn’t going to happen, there were way too many people.

Before I got there I heard Katy Perry had already run up the Rocky Steps and on her way down encountered the fans.

but at some point it became overwhelming and the police started to lead her back to her car

I call this photo, Katy Perry realizes she’s being led to the wrong car, eventually they got it right and got her to her black Sterling Limousine rented SUV (it says that on the back of the car)

When she got safely back to the car she told the police and her handlers she’d pose for a few more photos with the kids.

And she did, in her pizza Snuggie!!

I like how she checks afterwards to make sure the photo is perfect.

KATY PERRY

@katyperry

I keep my promises Philly!

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Tags Art Museum, celebrity, in, Katy Perry, paparazzi, Philadelphia, Philly

Philadelphia

#WoofWoofWednesday The Cutest #Philly Pets on Instagram this past Week

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date August 6, 2014

I live in a building where we’re not allowed to have pets, so I take joy at looking at everyone elses’ joy.

See Julie Dorenbos and Susie Celek at the PhillyMan launch at @parxcasino next Tues the 12th? Get your tickets before they sell out! #jerseymanmagazine

Tickets Here

List of Attendees they told me were confirmed:

Ron Jaworski

Sal Paolantonio

Brian Propp

Jason Thompson

George Anastasia

Joe Pisarcik

Jon Runyon

Mike Mamula

Gary Cobb

Dawn Stensland Mendte

John Clark

Gervise Peterson

Sam Carchidi

Harry Donahue

Steve Ward

Phil Andrews

Feel free to send me a photo of your boo and I might feature it here.

Miley Cyrus and Emu in bed in NYC before Philly’s concert Saturday. Oh I still need to write about the Miley weekend. It’s like my Katy Week, Casper the friendly ghost.

The season wrapped for Frankenfood and we’re waiting to hear if it’s been picked up again

Is that a pig in a skirt, I think it is!

Philadelphia

NBC10 Lovely Ladies, 6ABC Gals, – WHAT PHILLY DID THIS WEEKEND ON INSTAGRAM

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date August 4, 2014

Another in a series of What Philly Did this Weekend on Instagram & FB for that matter. Some of these are actually from today cause I was hanging out with Miley peeps all weekend, Miley stood me up. More on that tomorrow in my celebrity round up.

Some NBC10 gals headed to Boston: Christine Maddela, Brittney Shipp and Jacquie London

Erin Como is vising for the week. What is this #100DaysofHappiness and can I start on anyday or do I have to wait til everyone is through their 100 Days. Mine’s easy. I’m doing what I love, there done.

I forgot we planned dinner 100 days ago but I made other plans. Missed our annual dinner with Erin Como, Jillian Mele and Sheena Parveen (& Justin Pizzi)

Fox 29’s Mike Jerrick is on his way to Mexico for his daughters wedding.

WTF, frustrating, Facebook is no longer current in their news.

Philadelphia Fashion Week 2014 Sept 16-20!!!! http://t.co/j9h3liAkxs

Doug Kammerer and kids

Mural on 13th Street above Sampan. Do you see how the ivy is trimmed on the far left side. It’s so you can see the artists name.

Congrats to Nik the Web Chick & Mix 106’s mornings new digs

Check out Spruce Street Harbor upcoming on FYI

It’s a great place to hang around

Miley’s look a like back up singer

One of DC’s best looking

Congrats!! David Devan, General Director & President of Operaand David Dubbeldam

Love this description for the Phila Opera Gala 9/12 “a recital by
Stephen Costello and Ailyn Perez (aka the Jay-Z and Beyonce of opera)”

What I love and hate about HQ Night Club

TI is in town today and Trouble Man is going to visit Meek Mill

Then hit up on The QDeezy Show at 4PM hot 107.9

While Mr Mike Vick is at football camp, Kijafa Vick is keeping the beach hot. Tomorrow we’re chatting about celebs in the City, and Wednesday is #woofwoofwednesday with some of Philly’s finest dogs

Philadelphia

Philly Kids So You Want To Be A Star Competition Pixs & Upcoming News

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date August 4, 2014

Philly Kids Got Talent was
in the Cherry Hill Mall last week
casting for their new show. Wilhelmina Philadelphia is casting kids (up to age 17) for a new
television show that will begin taping in January and air for 10 weeks
in early-2015 on WMCN.

Philly Kids
Got Talent will showcase more than 80 stars of tomorrow
— singers, dancers, comedians, magicians and musicians competed for the ultimate prize: a contract with Wilhelmina Philadelphia.
The open call auditions were from Noon until 8pm in Macy’s Court.
Details at PhillyKidsGotTalent.com.

There were plenty of singers on hand

but contestants were also allowed to present a monologue ie acting

and dance

and dance and sing

“Every
week we see children come in (to Wilhelmina) with amazing talent. Some
kids sing, others dance. Some are solo acts, others are a group they
formed with other kids from their neighborhoods or perform with their
brothers and sisters. But one thing is for certain: they will knock your
socks off,” said Kelli Walters (center), agency director for Wilhelmina
Philadelphia. “All they want to do is perform, to make people smile, and
they have this incredible support network of family and friends. We’re
honored to be able to help them take that joy of performing to the next
level— and hopefully, help them realize their talents to the fullest
potential.”

The
80 contestants chosen will be divided across 10
shows and tape their performances before a studio audience in January.
The resulting shows will then air in an hour-long prime time slot,
followed the next day by a half-hour results show during which the
winner will be announced.

There
will be one winner each week, selected in part by viewers’ votes over a
24-hr period following the show. The weekly winners will compete
against each other in a live finale for a prize package that includes,
among other things, a management contract with Wilhelmina Philadelphia.

Stand Up Comedian AJDUNK hosted the event

Details about the open calls are online at PhillyKidsGotTalent.com or by calling Wilhelmina Philadelphia at 484-3683240.
Parents are strongly encouraged to review the requirements and
contestant agreement before the audition dates, and to arrive early
since auditions are on a first-come, first-seen basis. Contestants must
be between 5 – 17 years of age to audition.

DJ Mr Hollywood spun during breaks as well as during the competition

Competition was tense

The second tryout at WillowGrove Park in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania on
Saturday, August 9. Both open calls will run from noon until 8pm, and
both will take place in the court areas outside of Macy’s. PhillyKidsGoTalent

Philadelphia

FREE LUNCHTIME SHOW: Kimmel Center Jazz Camp of Philadelphia Plus pixs from Merck Arts Education Center

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date August 1, 2014

So much happening at the Kimmel Center in arts education for the kids this summer. A few weeks ago I attended The
Kimmel Center Education Department in partnership with Philadelphia Reads is presenting its second
Philadelphia Reads at the Kimmel Center in the Merck Arts Education Center on the 2nd tier.

There were three rooms. One for crafts, one was dance and the other was story telling.

Over 70 students, ranging in ages from pre-k through sixth grade,
will get to experience storytelling through a FREE performance. This
program is designed to connect literacy through the arts and
provide fun-filled activities and learning for children from
underserved populations throughout the city.

Comedian Jennifer Blaine (Theater Arts) reads from The Snatchabook [Helen Docherty, Thomas Docherty] , known for shedding light on socially relevant newsworthy topics through comedy teaches
Show Stoppers’ Theater Arts. Blaine has opened for George Carlin, and has performed with Chris Rock and Joe Piscopo
in the past.
She is a graduate from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT and
founder of “5,000 Women” which supports work of artists and activists
committed to creating
works that inspire change in the world.

The day I was there The Lion King was the theme and each of the rooms was exploring the theme in each room. Here Manisha Modi (Visual Arts) displays a few examples of the masks the kids will be working on. She’s a graduate from Temple University’s Fox School of Business (Bachelor
of Business Administration in Marketing) with a minor in Visual Arts
and Management Information Systems. Manisha has over seventeen years of
dance experience including Tap, Jazz, Bollywood
(Indian dance), and Bhangra (Indian Folk dance), and four years of
competitive dancing, including Team Captain at Temple University. With a
passion for teaching dance, Manisha has taught Bhangra as a dance
Instructor for the Kimmel Center’s Performing Arts
classes for over two years, including live web classes for Kimmel
Center/ University of Pennsylvania’s MAGPI program in 2012.

At the end of the two hours each of the rooms performed their creativity which they had worked on.

In a whole other section of the Kimmel Center a Jazz Camp was going on. TODAY THERE’S A FREE LUNCHTIME SHOW: Kimmel Center Jazz Camp: Completing
their two-week summer intensive, this final concert will feature original compositions written or arranged, with the help of Jazz Camp Philadelphia’s acclaimed tutors
Anthony Tidd, artist-in-resident
Jonathan Finlayson, and veteran international jazz legend Doug Hammond,
during camp and were influenced by the workshop discussions and student creativity.

Completing
their two-week summer intensive, this final concert will feature original compositions written or arranged, with the help of Jazz Camp Philadelphia’s acclaimed tutors
Anthony Tidd, artist-in-resident
Jonathan Finlayson, and veteran international jazz legend Doug Hammond,
during camp and were influenced by the workshop discussions and student creativity.

Philadelphia

On The Town With HughE Dillon – Logan Square Tear Down Video – Absolute Abstract To Go on Permanent Vacation

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date August 1, 2014

I used to have a gossipy column at PhillyMag with that title, before I got into the “society” photos. I Think going forward when I cover a larger area of Center City and not just say Walnut Street, I’ll use that title. I know how confusing I keep changing that branding. At 7 years I’m still learning what works. Anyway it’s in these columns I’ll drop some fun news, tidbits, updates etc.

Yesterday I Instagramed a photo and chatted about getting a quick tour inside City Tap House (You’ve read about it: Public House on Logan Square becoming a City Tap House). I was on my way to the dentist and one of the owners of the Public House franchise introduced himself and invited me in, as I passed by. Sure I can be late to the dentist, I definitely want to see inside. Of course he said no pictures and of course I complied. Don’t want to piss off my occasional client, especially if I want to be hired for the opening night party, anyway. Here’s my instagram of the photo and then a nice gal left a link to a video of the tear down.

I will say they have gutted the whole building, including bathrooms and kitchen. The bathrooms with now be 12 unisex ones with a communal washroom. There will be a long chef’s table, two elevated areas, a private rental room, and two bars, one super incredible bar with a display of the craft beer they serve. I’m really stoked for this project. I love the University Tap House, but it just wasn’t a place I had a chance to visit much. Oh and did I mention the windows, they’ll be able to open wide. So excited.

Back in June I Instagramed about their new outdoor dining and color scheme.

Absolute outta here

James F. McManaman and David White announced yesterday at the Midtown Village meeting that they are closing up shop and moving to Thailand for a new opportunity. David will be left behind to sell the house and that terrific store Absolute Abstract. Who in Center City doesn’t have artwork from their store in their house.

James was the first president of the Midtown Village Merchants organization. He’s one of the people that coined the word Midtown Village. Originally the area was called “Blocks Below Broad,” or “B3″ by developer Tony Goldman, who bought up most of the block to redevelop. James and Gyro Worldwide advertising agency worked together to rebrand it Midtown Village and the name stuck. (Save the date: 10th Annual Midtown Village Fall Festival 10-4-14)

Absolute Abstract Art LLC is available for the right person, to take it
over and keep it going. If you know of anyone who is interested in
having a turn-key retail/corporate art consulting business, please
forward them my contact information. I also have a dreamy, Penthouse
Villa for sale in South Philly which will hit the market in a few weeks. Info: absoluteabstractart@comcast.net

Work to restore the fire-damaged firehouse at Fourth and Arch is almost finished. The man on site said it should be open by Labor Day.

Philadelphia

Eat Pretty With Jolene Hart at Anju Threads at 1126 Walnut St

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date July 31, 2014

Eat Pretty With Jolene Hart at Anju Threads

The event was held at Anju Threads, a
threading salon at 1126 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Jolene Hart with her book “Eat Pretty”

There was a nice spread via WholeFoods with delicious treats.

Anju Treohan (l), told me that that there is no sewing involved in
threading of eyebrows, which I thought did. Thank god, I’d be sweating
through that process.

Many guests were on hand, and I’d have their names if I didn’t lose that notebook. Granted the next day was my bday so I was verklempt that week.

The always stunning Kharisma McIlwaine was there.

The paparazzi were on hand to catch the action

Emily Tharp, HerPhilly.com was tweeting up a storm and pretty in green: Jamillah of Diaryofacareergirl.com was snapping for her blog.

Thanks to Skai Blue Media for the invite to this unique event.

Philadelphia

Another in a series of #woofwoofwednesday, a few cats, a pig and a message from Steve Morrison (P&S)

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date July 30, 2014

Every Wednesday PCC features pets from around Philadelphia #woofwoofwednesday

Holy Obese Cat. My cat would look like that if I had one.

The cat has a friend

Congrats to Rudy Flesher for his nod in Philly Mag as a great Philadelphian.

Congrats Robert Drake and John Stanley on their anniversary

Joan Manuel Rivera

AKJackie

Lifesucksinastraplessbra

Eduardo and bozo

Evan Mathis

Mia and Lola on vacation with grandma and grandpa Piccillo

Sharilyn Drewen Gilfillan pet pig

xjesimicheo

Show Your Soft Side is a campaign
pits tough guys with adorable cats and dogs to promote the fight
against animal abuse. Its slogan is “Only a punk would hurt a dog or
cat,” and this week, Philly athletes are proving they’re no punks.
They’re tough guys with huge hearts. Above Steve Morrison (Preston & Steve @PrestonSteve933) Poses with his cat, Mia, for the billboard for the campaign. It’s on 95N in Philly going towards NE.

Philadelphia

9th Annual East Passyunk Avenue Car Show Links

Post author By HughE Dillon
Post date July 30, 2014

Sunday was the 9th Annual East Passyunk Avenue Car Show and was the 2nd year I photographed the event. This year the weather again played with the time, and the show, scheduled to start at NOON started an hour early, which was good for me as last year I got there late and missed a lot of good shots.