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Philadelphia

ABOUT WED NIGHT: Mark Nadler performs “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” at the Prince Music Theater After Party

Mark Nadler in I’M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF Musik from the Weimar and Beyond
Mark Nadler (c) with Patty Riffkin, Myra Segal, Mark, Alice Kachvalian and Dane Kolibaba of the audience members at the afterparty. I should say fans, because like me they were blown away by his performance, and masterful story telling which transported us back to a period in Germany between the two World Wars, where life was grand, and musical. 

Seraphina Ferraro and Julius Ferraro- the brother and sister tell me they loved Mark Nadler’s production. “It shed light on the bohemian era lifestyle of the time that we don’t normally hear about.
Diana Pavel, Santo DiCondina and Marsy Binder enjoyed the production, which took Mark nearly 4 years to write. Not only was it entertaining, but it was educational as well.
 
James Duggan and Thom Cardwell. “The ending was a big surprise, on the level of “The Crying Game”, but we’re sworn to secrecy.
Larry Cohen and Barry Gutin of Brulee Catering.

Delicious food, with a great presentation

Jan DeMarzo and Dorothy Wilson – Love it, and would see it again. (Which she can as it runs til April 12.)
Karen Lotman, Producer (President at Karen Lotman Productions), Mark Nadler and David Schweizer, Director

Rosie Langabeer, Mike Toub and Vena Johnson. The gals are both in the production. Mike enjoyed it, he loves cabaret, especially a well acted, well sung production. Go see Mark Nadler at the Prince Music Theater. You won’t be disappointed.
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Philadelphia

Party Pixs: “Game of Thrones” inspires Duvel USA and Ommegang Brewery creation of Fire and Blood Red Ale

Season 4 of HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones”
gets underway Sunday, but it’s not the kind of show anyone should
undertake lightly. For the full “Game of Thrones” effect, HBO is doing
its best to simultaneously keep you informed and take away all your free
time by way of a weekend-long marathon of the show’s first three
seasons.

Duvel USA and Ommegang Brewery have introduced Game of Thrones, Fire and Blood Red Ale which

they debuted at Iron Abbey in Horsham last week to fans of the show as well as to Ommegang Brewery.

Owen and Stephanie get into the spirit

 Yikes, don’t try this at home.

 

 Italo Serpa, Igor Serpa, and Gustavo Souza.
 Danielle Amat and Glen Jaeszhke.
 Dennis and Toni Muir
 Best Dressed: Stephanie

Duvel USA and Ommegang Brewery’s Fire and Blood Red Ale: Was named after the motto of House Targaryen, Fire and Blood is inspired by
Daenerys Targaryen and her three dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion.
To celebrate the rebirth of dragons, three different labels were created
by the Game of Thrones visual effects specialists, each depicting one
of Daenerys’ feared dragons. Randomly distributed amongst the cases,
each case will contain all three bottles.

Rui Lucas General manager of
Iron Abbey and Leslie McDonough Marketing Manager at Duval Beverage.

Teresa Ruiz, Rachel Vollmer,
and Regina Murray.

 Mark Blanton, Scott Toth, and Chad Ackerman.
Stephanie Fryling and Alycia
Thomas.

 
The beer went on sale March 31, in time for the debut of Season 4, Fire and Blood and is available at local stores. Pick up a case for Sunday’s premiere.
 Another winner. WOW he looks great.
Follow Ommegang
on FB
Thanks to Mike Hirata for shooting this client event for PhillyChitChat.com

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Philadelphia

Rags & Thread Can Customize Your Denim – Read All About It….and the Kickstarter Party

 Last week Rags & Thread held a Denim Kickstarter campaign Kickoff Party at Stratus Lounge

Nearly 100 people came out in support of the kickstarter event, and heard about the various levels of membership

Get a pair of custom denim jeans for $90 on our Kickstarter campaign! (Ian’s wearing a pair – here with his Glammie and Mom.) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1832693254/customized-premium-demin-by-ragsandthread
Check out more photos of the event here on my Philly.com column. 
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Philadelphia

“Live with Kelly & Michael”, 6ABC Adam Joseph and viewers of 6ABC

Yesterday I headed to the  “Live with Kelly & Michael” show in NYC with 6ABC Adam Joseph, Clear Channel’s Nicole “Nik the Web Chick” Michalik.,Kristy Sevag (SevagPR)
and Mike Monsell, VP / CSD at WPVI. It was fun to go inside the studio, as I had been a paparazzi at their stage door for many years when I photographed celebrities in NYC btwn 2007 – 2010

 and 60 viewers of 6ABC. Nearly 20,000 people entered the contest to secure a spot. Very impressive.
 Kristy Sevag (SevagPR) team is checking in the guests at the meeting spot, Sugarhouse Casino

 Adam was our host, and what a great guy, he made muffins for everyone and handed them out. Sweet.

  He chatted with everyone, signed autographs and posed for selfies.
We’re lined up at the ABC Studio in NYC and I had to put my SLR away. The following are from my new phone the Samsung Note 3.
There’s Gelman. He is a no nonsense guy. He’s telling us how to applaud.
Everyone is into Social Media now. The future is now. At the show you’re allowed to photograph with your phones. People are not too insane about it, and it’s not obtrusive, I was probably the worse person doing it – LOL. NO FLASH PLEASE!
The studio is very intimate, Kelly and Michael are seated nearby by and you can check out all the nooks and crannies, and nuances of what they are saying.
Daniel Radcliffe was the first guest. He’s appearing in the new movie Frankenstein, and on Broadway.
Seriously Nick Cannon, that “leopard” hair? During the commercials Kelly and Michael chat and pose with many of the audience members. It’s very nice.
 After the show Michael and Kelly were getting ready to do an interview with Adam when Adam’s brother Hank called. Kelly chatted with him for a bit. They met before. It was cute. This freed Michael up to pose with the fans.
 
 Then the interview, which will be aired today on 6ABC at 4PM.
Rumor has it that Michael is going to do double duty at GMA and his own show. Guess he’ll have to jet to the studio by 9AM as it’s at 68th and Broadway, and GMA Studios are at 44th and Broadway.
Photo Credit: David Russell/Disney-ABC Domestic TV – That’s me in back row 3rd from right.

I’ve photographed Kelly Ripa several times; once one of my shots was in Us Magazine. It was from this event I went to.

 Thanks to 6ABC for inviting me to join them on the jaunt to see “Live with Kelly and Michael”
So fun with Adam Joseph and Clear Channel’s Nicole “Nik the Web Chick” Michalik
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Philadelphia

Photos: Luke Palladino Plans To Open Namesake Restaurant On Hot East Passyunk Avenue (& Live There Too!!)

Luke Palladino is an established restauranteur is South Jersey, and is excited to announce that he is opening a new concept in Philadelphia, Pa. The restaurant is to be a fine dining establishment (Italian, steak, seafood) with a liquor license on the hottest street in Philadelphia, East Passyunk.
 (OCFRealty)
 Situated near the intersection of Broad Street and Passyunk Avenue, the restaurant will take over the space previously occupied by the restaurant Colombo, which was destroyed in a fire in August 2012.   Recently Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation (PARC) lead by Sam Sherman Executive Director, bought the property as part of their efforts to improve East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District – PARC has leased the building to Palladino.
The new restaurant will be situated at the new “Gateway to Passyunk” Plaza, which undergoes construction in June 2014, with a completion date of September 2014, in plenty of time for the November 2014 grand opening of Palladino.
Palladino’s represents Luke’s first restaurant in Philadelphia itself. His other restaurants are:

Luke Palladino Harrah’s Resort (opened 2011), 200 Seats, Upscale Italian, Atlantic City, NJ
 This restaurant will feature lunch and dinner service daily, as well as a late night bar scene, with indoor seating for 80 and outdoor seating for 40. The restaurant has a secure parking lot directly across Broad Street, valet parking, easy access from a Septa station, and is within easy access from Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Ballpark, and the Wells Fargo Center.

 Luke’s Kitchen & Marketplace (opened 2012), 120 Seats, Casual/Quick Serve, Atlantic City, NJ at one of my favorite places to stay, Revel Resorts.

 
  Luke Palladino Catering (opened 2010), Full Service Catering Operation, Linwood, NJ

  Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian (opened 2013), 80 Seats, Upscale Italian, Linwood, NJ
 

Palladino (l) is no stranger to the Philadelphia area, and has been looking to open a restaurant here for quite some time. Throughout the years he has also participated in several charity organizations including PAWS and Vetri’s Great Chef’s Event. He plans to relocate to East Passyunk with girlfriend and marketing manager Kristine
Kurilko. PARC the landlord
will renovate two apartments upstairs into one for the couple. Luke
wants to not just open a restaurant but be part of the East Passyunk
Avenue community, as well as the community at large! He will engage in events, take part in festivals (first up The Flavor’s Festival April 26, which I’ll be photographing, as well as his opening party in November 2014),
engage with the civics and neighbors and really become part of the hot and happening East Passyunk neighborhood!!
(Media requests may be directed to: Aversa PR kory@aversapr.com (215) 840-9216)

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Philadelphia

KELLY DRIVE AND MLK DRIVE 2014 ROAD CLOSURES

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation

2014 M.L. King Drive Event Closures tentative
Day Event Time

 April 5, 2014 MLK Drive Seasonal Weekend Closure Begins 6 AM to 5 PM

April 6, 2014 Hot Chocolate 5 and 15K 6 AM to 11 AM

April 12, 2014 Walk Against Hunger 6 AM to 11 AM

 April 13, 2014 Dash For Organ Donor Awareness 6 AM to 11 AM

April 19, 2014 Run for Clean Air 6 AM to 11 AM

April 22, 2014 UCP Run/Walk 7 PM to 8:30 PM

April 26, 2013 Out & Back 4 Mile Run 7 PM to 8:30 PM

April 26, 2014 Sandy Rollman 10K 6 AM to 11 AM

April 27, 2014 March For Babies 6 AM to 11 AM

 May 3, 2014 MS Walk 6 AM to 11 AM

May 11, 2014 Race for the Cure 6 AM to 11 AM

May 17, 2014 RAPCS Bike & Hike @Black Road 6 AM to 11 AM

May 18, 2014 ADL Walk 2 PM to 5 PM

June 1, 2014 US Pro Bike Race 6 AM to 3 PM

June 8, 2014 Oddyssey Half Marathon 6 AM to 12 PM

 June 8, 2014 Strides for Stroke Walk-a-thon 6 AM to 12 PM

June 15, 2014 Run For Your Life 6 AM to 12 PM

June 21, 2014 Philadelphia Triathlon – Sprint 7 AM to 2 PM

 June 22, 2014 Philadelphia Triathlon 7 AM to 2 PM

 July 4, 2014 July 4th Celebration 6 AM to 12 Midnight

July 19, 2014 Back on My Feet 24 hour 10 AM to 10 AM

July 20, 2014 Back on My Feet 24 hour Until 10 AM

August 9, 2014 Fun Run 7 AM to 11 AM

August 17, 2014 National Veterans Wheelchair Games 6 AM to 11 AM

 August 30, 2014 MIA Concert 6 AM to 11 PM

Last Sunday of August August 31, 2014 MIA Concert 6 AM to 11 PM

September 13, 2014 Undy 5000 6 AM to 12 PM

September 21, 2014 Rock n Roll Half Marathon 6 AM to 12 PM

September 28, 2014 The Parkway Run 6 AM to 12 PM

 October 4, 2014 Step out for Diabetes 6 AM to 12 PM

October 5, 2014 Suicide Prevention Walk 6 AM to 12 PM

October 11, 2014 Walk for Parkinsons 6 AM to 12 PM

 October 19, 2014 AIDS Walk 6 AM to 3 PM

October 25, 2014 Domestic Violence Awareness Walk 6 AM to 12 PM

October 26, 2014 JDF Walk To Cure Diabetes 6 AM to 12 PM

October 26, 2014 MLK Drive Seasonal Weekend Closure Ends 6 AM to 5 PM

November 2, 2014 Race For Hope 5K Run/Walk 9 AM to 12 PM

November 8, 2014 Y12 K Walk/Run 9 AM to 12 PM

November 22, 2014 Philadelphia Marathon 8K & Kids Run 9 AM to 12 PM

November 23, 2014 Philadelphia Marathon 9 AM to 2 PM

November 27, 2014 Thanksgiving Day Parade 9 AM to 2 PM

The above special events are held on M.L. King Drive in addition to the Drive’s normal closures for

recreation activities on Saturdays and Sundays 6 AM to 5 PM, lower portion of M.L. King Dr.

from Eakins Oval to Sweetbriar Dr. reopen to traffic at 12 Noon between April and October


2014 Kelly Drive Event Closures tentative

Day Event Closure Time

April 1, 2012April 6, 2014 Flick Horvat Regatta Partial 6 AM to 5 PM

April 15, 2012April 13, 2014 Flick Horvat Regatta Partial 6 AM to 5 PM

April 19, 2014 Kerr Cup Partial 6 AM to 5 PM

May 6, 2012May 4, 2014 City League Championship Regatta Partial

May 10, 2012May 8, 2014 Dad Vail Partial 11:00 AM

May 11, 2012May 9, 2014 Dad Vail Partial To
May 12, 2012May 10, 2014 Dad Vail Partial 6:00 PM
May 17, 2012May 15, 2014 Stotesbury Regatta Partial 11:00 AM

May 18, 2012May 16, 2014 Stotesbury Regatta Partial To

May 19, 2012May 17, 2014 Stotesbury Regatta Partial 6:00 PM

 June 2, 2012June 7, 2014 International Dragon Boat Festival Partial 6 AM to 5 PM

1st Sunday of June June 3, 2012June 1, 2014 US Pro Bike Race Full 7 AM to 3 PM

June 24, 2012June 22, 2014 Philadelphia Triathlon Full 6 AM to 11 AM

July 4, 2014 Welcome America Partial Lower 24 Hours

July 4, 2014 Independence Day Regatta Partial 10:00 AM

july 5, 2014 Independence Day Regatta Partial to

2July 6, 2014 Independence Day Regatta Partial 6:00 PM

September 16, September 2012 21, 2014 Philadelphia Distance Run Full 6 AM to 12 PM

October 6, 2012 October 4, 2014 Dragon Boat Regatta Partial 5 AM to 5 PM

October 13, October 2012 11, 2014 Navy Day Regatta Partial 6 AM to 5 PM

October 16, October 2012 19, 2014 AIDS Walk Full 8 AM to 11 AM

October 27, October 2012 25, 2014 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta Full 6 AM to 5 PM

October 28, October 2012 26, 2014 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta Partial 6 AM to 5 PM
 November 4,November 2012 2, 2014 Race for Hope Partial Lower 8 AM to 9 AM
3rd Saturday of November November 17,November 2012 22, 2014 Philadelphia Marathon 1/2 & 8K Full 7 AM to 3 PM

3rd Sunday of November November 18,November 2012 23, 2014 Philadelphia Marathon Full 7 AM to 3 PM

Dad Vail, Stotesbury, and Independence regattas are multi-days closures – starting Thursday after AM rush hour and remaining closed until Saturday around 6:00 PM.

Full closure means that the entire length of Kelly Drive – from Eakins Oval to Ridge Avenue / Lincoln

Drive – is closed.

Partial closure means that only a section of Kelly Drive is closed – generally from Fountain Green

Drive (south) to Strawberry Mansion Drive (north).

Categories
Philadelphia

Video & Photos: PATTI LABELLE Makes an Appearance at Keven Parker’s Soul Cafe One Year Anniversary

Legendary PATTI LABELLE Makes an Appearance at Keven Parker’s Soul Cafe One Year Anniversary at the Reading Terminal Market on Friday afternoon.

 Arriving at 3PM for her 12PM to 3PM appearance, all was forgiven as Patti looked flawless
In her white coat, stylish brown hat and the cutest purse. Here she is with good friend, KeVen Parker owner of Soul Cafe as well as Ms Tootsie’s on South Street.
Patti greets the fans, making her way over to the Cafe to thank them for coming, she talked about what a good friend KeVen Parker is, as well as his mom. Then she belted out one of my favorite songs.
BTW Patti LaBelle, flawless even without make up on.
Then head on over to Philly.com to see another photo I took.
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Philadelphia

About Last Night: Purple Dish It Up With The Ladies of the Culinary Art of Philadelphia

LIVE from the ‘purple carpet’, Philadelphia’s strongest advocate for victims of domestic violence Women Against Abuse kicked off Dish It Up 2014 last night at the WHYY Studios in Old City. The only fundraising event and food competition that celebrates our city’s women-owned restaurants and women chefs.

 Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran (Marcie and Val have participated in #DishItUp for the past 4 years and told me that it’s a great honor to be recognized for doing something they love, and the event is a wonderful celebration of women and in the culinary field.)
– two pioneering entrepreneurs whose seven restaurants and boutiques on
13th Street in Philadelphia have helped transform the once desolate
neighborhood into a trendy Midtown Village – have been selected as the
2014 inaugural honorees with 6ABC’s Melissa Magee
Main Course
Daniela D’Ambrosio, The Pickled Heron
Stacey DiPlacido, Fitzwater Cafe | Bridget Foy, Bridget Foy’s
Kate Jacoby, Vedge | Rachel Klein, Miss Rachel’s Pantry
Moon Krapugthong, Chabaa Thai | Karen Nicolas, Citron & Rose
Jess Nolan, Brauhaus Schmitz | Aimee Olexy, Talula’s Garden
Susan VanVreede, Distrito
 Chef Caleb from Barbuzzo whips up a delight.
Women Against Abuse, a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency, is Philadelphia’s
leading domestic violence advocate and service provider and among the
largest domestic violence agencies in the country.
 In the VIP party, all of the Safran/Turney restaurants were represented included the latest dish, Little Nonna’s.

 Drew Lazor, food writer and Matt Siwek, Miles Catering

 Maria Papadakis on the purple carpet
 
Pam Kingsland, Pamcakes with her tasty treats, unfortunate I can’t have any as I’m on my one millionth new diet, which is Paleo – The Caveman Diet. They didn’t have cupcakes in the Caveman era. But I was hanging with Nathan Learner and he told me they were delicious.
 Katie McDermott and Jen Kremer, Sweet Freedom
There was a dessert competition too.
Dessert
Pam Kingsland, Pamcakes | Jen Kremer, Sweet Freedom Bakery
Toni and Chrissy Walton, Sweet T’s Bakeshop
 Rachel from Miss Rachel’s Pantry. It’s a Vegan catering & meal delivery company located on East Passyunk Ave.
 Monique Berry and Melissa Falello
 Lauren, Allison and Laura – Vedge (Hmm I’m draw to vegetables lately, is the universe trying to tell me something?)
 The Face of a Vegetarian: Susan and Bill Henley.
 Senator Anthony H. Williams and James F Campenella
 Chef Jen Carroll was the inaugural Purple Dish Winner in 2009, and returns as a judge in tonight’s competition. Other judges included Drew Lazor, Natalie Maronski, chef de cuisine, Volver
Caroline Russock, City Paper food editor
 Macy’s was one of the sponsors, and these models
are walking Social Media billboards. It’s interesting to see how Twitter is taking over the world. Oh are you following me yet, you should @iphillychitchat I’ll tell you things, like last night M Night had his wrap party for Sundowning at The Stratus Lounge, I tweeted last night.
Bridget’s Foy’s of South Street. Great tomato soup. Fun low key place. Has an outdoor patio that faces South Street. Great people watching in the warmer weather & delicious food.
Millennial Fashionable
 Kate Olmann, Jason B. and Erin McKenna
 Krystal Souvanlasy, South Street Headhouse District, Melissa Bocage, Heather Yocum
TONIGHT: Fourth Friday Relaunch in South Street Headhouse District
The Purple Dish Award goes to Aimee Olexy of Talula’s Garden and Pam Kingsland of Pamcake won for best cupcakes.
Categories
Philadelphia

UNION TRUST BOUGHT BY THE PARKWAY CORPORTION

Back before the cupcakes became the rage, steakhouses were the rage and it seemed like one was opening up ever other week.
 One of the grandest opening parties had to be the Union Trust party.
The well heeled, the who’s who, 
Uche Ojeh and Sheinelle Jones, Fox 29 & Good Day Philly for one more day
 
sports and news figures, the movers and
shakers walked the red carpet of the new carnivore/seafood steakhouse
that once housed the Kellemer Jewelers store before they moved uptown. 
The economy was not kind to the opulent steakhouse, as well as several behind the scenes dramas, and it closed at the end of 2012. (the beautiful interior was done by DAS Architects)
The building lingered for awhile with rumors rampant that the owners would try and open the place (or maybe the Cheesecake Factory would open there), but then in the spring of 2013 the facade began to fall apart and L&I posted signs for them to correct the problem or they would tear it down. (OK as if that was really going to happen.)

The building was sold in December 2014 to 715-717 Chestnut Street Corporation, dba as Parkway Corporation – FOR $4.2 Million

Parkway headed by magnate, owner Joseph Zuritsky also bought the adjoining parking lot next door to Union Trust. (It used to be a 5 Star).

Don’t fret, they’re not tearing it down, it’s becoming a catering hall and Finley Catering will be taking over the operations. A Finley catering source told me they will be gutting the entire building to create another spectacular event space for me to photograph the well heeled, reporters and sports figures as well as my people. Look for the new rental space to be available for the busy holiday season.
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Philadelphia

About Last Night: Cocktails & Bites with the Ambassadors of The Wistar Institute at Rosa Blanca

Cocktails & Bites with the Ambassadors of The Wistar Institute at Rosa Blanca last week.
Guests gathered for an intimate cocktail party to launch a new
focus on the Wistar Ambassodors program and to meet the president and CEO and hear about the importance of Wistar Foundation.


Janet Fiore, Russel E. Kaufman, M.D. is President and CEO of The Wistar Institute and Eden Gruber

 

Ambassadors are a group of young residents of the Philadelphia region between
the ages of 25 and 40 years old who want to learn more about the bold
new advances in cancer research at The Wistar Institute and find new
ways of raising local and national awareness of these efforts.

 Joy Deibert, Elisabeth Hill and Emily Gerstal

 Jason and Rachel Cerva,

Josie  Burri, Manager of Events and Donor Marketing and Laura Torchin

Michael Magnatta, Allie Fumo, Allison Becker
Ben Leach and Jessica Martinez
AMBASSADORS – Stephanie Desjardins, Katie Adams, Jen Guarino, Elaine
Battaglia, Gabriela Guaracao, Katie Griffin, Dr. Russel Kaufman, Lynsie Solomon,
Rachel Luber, Alexa Lustig
Noelle Burg and Jenny Perkins
Lynsie Solomon. Chair and Evan Solomon
Gabriela Guaracao and Mathew Fontana
Guest, Katie Griffin, Krista Guidi

Josh and Noelle Burg
Katie Adams and Joy Deibert (Photo bomber Jason Cerva)
Stephanie and Garret Desjardins