Philly Chit Chat

Collingswood Ballroom

On May 5th Ronald McDonald House of Southern Jersey hosted Wine Women & Shoes FunRaiser. The night began with each guest receiving a glass of champagne as they arrive.

CBS3’s Jim Donovan emceed the fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in South Jersey.

There was a Market Place for guests to shop, silent auction and raffle prizes, stations of appetizers and passed hors d’oeuvre.

The concept of Wine Women & Shoes is the brainchild of Napa Valley vintner, Elaine Honig, concieved about 2 decades ago. While chatting with a girlfriend about the growing popularity of wine and food pairing events, they jokingly said, “wine and shoe pairings would be a lot more fun!” And they were right. WW&S events are now in 50 cities across the country, and they have raised more than $22,000,000 for women and children’s causes.

Wine Women & Shoes fundraisers create an opportunity for partnerships between charities, wineries, shoe and accessory retailers, corporate sponsors and women in the community. They are so much fun.

Thanks to Seagrass Boutique and Caroline’s Fashion Luxuries for dressing the models

Then there is the very popular “Key to the Closet”

They sold 100 – $100 keys to win what is in the closet. Each person that purchases a key will be given a blinky ring to wear through out the night. Guests try out their key to win fabulous prizes with values up to $5,000.

Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the event, and raise critical funds for the Ronald McDonald House of South Jersey. Thanks to Andre Flewellen who photographed this event for PCC.

The University of the Arts Performance Unleashed fundraiser was a success and over $400,000 was raised for student scholarships.

The evening began with a cocktail hour in their newly renovated Student Center. Then guests headed upstairs to the auditorium for dinner, performances, an awards presentation then a live scholarship auction. Proceeds from the event will support and enhance the student experience, where a $100,000 was raised in the auction live as we sat there. It was exciting and gratifying that UArts has such amazing supporters.

Two outstanding members of the community were recognized and honored, the 2023 Excellence in the Arts Hamilton Award was presented to Ed Satell. At the event it was announced that the Ed Satell Scholarship Fund was initiated. It will undoubtedly provide much-needed financial assistance to many passionate students. Also honored was Adam Blackstone ’04 (Instrumental Performance), who received the 2023 Alumni Award. He has served as musical director for acts such as Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5 and other artists. Recently, Adam cultivated the explosive Super Bowl 56 Halftime Show featuring Dr. Dre, Enimem, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige. He couldn’t make the awards as he was in Europe working on a project with JayZ

On April 20th Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia held their annual fundraiser at a private club outside of Philadelphia. Beyond the Bell highlights the school’s mission by incorporating career-connected learning, fieldwork, and internships into their academic and co-curricular programming. Providing students with early exposure and experience in various career fields can help them make informed decisions about their future career goals and give them a head start on building the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve those goals.

Thanks Andre Flewellen for shooting this event.

Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia is taking a proactive approach to preparing its students for success in the 21st century workforce. By providing them with meaningful career exposure and experience, as well as opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school, the school is setting its students up for a brighter future. Help Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia reach their goals.

The Philadelphia Music Alliance, a community-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Philadelphia’s rich musical legacy, announced their 2023 Walk of Fame inductees during a press conference today at the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Established in 1986, the Walk of Fame, a creation of the Philadelphia Music Alliance, is a must-see tourist attraction on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts.

The list of honorees was impressive: Leslie Odom, Jr. is a talented actor and singer, known for his work in “Hamilton” and “One Night in Miami.” Governor Rendell served as the Governor of Pennsylvania and was also the Mayor of Philadelphia, he and his former wife Judge Midge Rendell were instrumental in creating the Avenue of the Arts, where many of our musical and theatrical shows take place. The Bacon Brothers are a musical duo comprised of actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael, grew up on the 2100 Locust Street. Their father was the great Philly City Planner Ed Bacon, who I got to meet several times. The Tymes are a Philadelphia-based soul group that had several hits in the 1960s. John DeBella and Patty Jackson are both well-known radio personalities in the Philadelphia area, and James DePreist was a renowned conductor and music director. It’s great to see such a diverse group of musicians and public figures being recognized for their contributions to Philadelphia’s rich musical heritage.

Michael and Kevin Bacon, have a band called The Bacon Brothers and were honored with a plaque on the Avenue of the Arts.

“The Walk of Fame is the City’s most impressive public monument to the people who have made Philadelphia a great music city,” said Mark Schulz, Managing Director of the Philadelphia Music Alliance. “Our 2023 inductees have deeply influenced how music is experienced not only in Philadelphia, but around the world. We are excited to honor these incredible artists, bands, and personalities on Broad Street this April.”

The Walk of Fame is an important part of Philadelphia’s cultural heritage and a great way to honor the city’s musical legacy. The plaques are located along Broad Street’s Avenue of the Arts the series of over 100 bronze commemorative plaques honors Philadelphia area musicians and music professionals who have made a significant contribution to the world of music.

Larry Magid received a Founders Award for creating the Philadelphia Music Alliance.

One of my first jobs after high school was working for Herb and his brothers at H.A. Winston’s in Cherry Hill. I had a bare minimum idea of what was happening with his other business, which he started with Larry Magid at Electric Factory. I did know that we got to see the Michael Jackson video Thriller before it debut to the public, at our holiday party in 1983.

All proceeds from the gala support the new PMA Music Education Fund.

Can someone please work on the much promised Sound of Music museum. It’d be great if we could do it before everyone from the Sound of Philadelphia goes to the big juke box in the sky.

The Queen Patty Jackson: Congratulations on your honor, especially being the FIRST women from radio to be inducted in the Philadelphia Music Alliance walk of fame. Much deserved. I’ve always been a fan of Patty’s , and over the years have become a friend of Patty Jackson. I admire her work ethic, here resilience, her grind not only through out her career, but especially since her stroke 8 years ago. Kory and I went to see her in re-hab a few weeks after her stroke, before many people even knew she had a stroke, and she was determined to return to work, to continue to serve and make a difference I recalled that night, the chat we had, and shed more than a few tears of happiness to see her on the stage last night, triumphantly celebrating her presence, her win over adversity and securing a place in herstory at Broad & Pine!!