Categories
Philadelphia

No Reservation hosted a Reservation Lunch at Ocean Prime Last Week

New York Times best-selling humorist Josh Piven (l) (Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook) gives theater audiences a best-case scenario this holiday season with the World Premiere of No Reservations at
Adrienne Theater. Piven trades the volcanoes, quicksand, and alligator
wrestling for holiday survival among the mistletoe, scrapple, and
paparazzi.

 

Penned by the author of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook and directed by Allison Heishman (center sitting) (Artistic Associate at Azuka Theater) , the production runs November 26 through December 15, 2013 at Skybox @ The Adrienne Theater. 
The ensemble cast of Philadelphia favorites features Jared Michael
Delaney, Wendy Staton, Brian McCann, Mary Beth Shrader, Colleen Corcoran
 and Brandon Pierce. Tickets are available now for $18 to $25 at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/449685. (Source)

Last Sunday there was a media cocktail party held at Ocean Prime in Center City before we all headed over to see the play. Aversa Pr’s Sarah and Dana checked in the guests.

Adam Hayal and Nate Olyugle
Josh Piven and Robin Bloom,  WHYY 
Robert Mendelson, Phila Tribune Photographer and blogger from  LeAnne, Tinsel & T
Robin Austin getting the scoop for Tony Bruno
Have you tried the calamari at Ocean Prime, some of the best.
Jason and Marlo Dilks of Slice Pizza
Maggie Grittin-Smith and Jarod Delaney
crab cakes
sliders
Jamyra Perry (Finished Christmas shopping online) and Yael Johnson
Amanda and Geoffrey Gambier
Retired New Jersey Superior Court Judge, Victor Friedman and writer Sally Friedman
Nathan Lerner, Montgomery County News
Sandy Smith, Philadelphia Real Estate blog

Kory Aversa, Aversa PR introduces author Josh Piven to the crowd.


 Mike and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Mike laughed continuously, as did the three ladies in the front row, who reminded me of my grandmother. It’s a fun and funny show, you’ll enjoy.

The cast of No Reservation. Check out Miss A’s review here.
WHEN: December 11th – 15th, 2013
2:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. showtimes.
WHERE:
Skybox at the Adrienne Theater
2030 Sansom Street, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, Pa 19103
Ph: 215-567-2848
TICKETS:
$18 to $25 tickets. Please click here for tickets.
– See more at:
http://askmissa.com/2013/12/09/holiday-comedy-reservations-adrienne-theater-philadelphia-needs-fixed/#sthash.rp0Xdr4K.dpuf
WHEN: December 11th – 15th, 2013 2:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. showtimes.  WHERE: Skybox at the Adrienne Theater 2030 Sansom Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, Pa 19103 Ph: 215-567-2848  TICKETS: $18 to $25 tickets. Please click here for tickets.

Categories
Philadelphia

WIN TWO TICKETS TO SEE THE CHARMS OF FAIRMOUNT PARK (GIVING AWAY 3 SETS OF 2 TICKETS For 12/12 – 12/15)

WIN TWO TICKETS TO SEE THE CHARMS OF FAIRMOUNT PARK (GIVING
AWAY 3 SETS OF 2 TICKETS)

The Historic Holiday House Tours showcase the Charms of
Fairmount Park (Cedar Grove, Laurel Hill, Lemon Hill, Mount Pleasant,
Strawberry Mansion, Sweetbriar and Woodford). Tour the six gorgeous houses this
weekend (Dec. 12-15) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Use the Complimentary Pass
(pictured below) to see all six locations. Enjoy the historic houses on your
own time, but don’t worry about missing out on information shared during guided
tours. Hosts are at each location to answer questions and talk about the
uniqueness of each house. Historically inspired recipe cards will be available
at each house, too. Also free parking!
Want to tour the Charms of Fairmount Park? Click on the
Rafflecopter widget below. You can tweet about the ticket contest and follow
@iPhillyChitChat on Twitter to enter. Contest runs until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday,
December 10th. All winners are selected at random through the widget.
Tickets must be picked up at the desk at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave before Dec. 15th.
For more information on the tours visit ParkCharms.com. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Categories
Philadelphia

MY SNOW DAY or MY WALK TO THE SOUTH STREET TREE LIGHTING, and THEN BACK HOME – First Snow 2013

Jewelers Row (visit my advertiser Safian & Rudolph at 7th & Sansom)

 Christmas Village at Love Park
 4PM 15th & Market – The snow took everyone by surprise. I didn’t see one snow/salt plow on my walk from the Art Museum all the way to the South Street Tree Lighting.
 so surprised how many people on bikes were able to navigate the roads, especially the food delivery guys. My hat is off to you.

 It’s still Fall technically

 Kahn Park at 11th and Pine
 Alley off 11th near South Street

  The Magic Garden on South street, I was making my way down to the tree lighting.

 The best shoveled walkways were Planned Parenthood
Spruce Food Market
 
 the 300 block of Camac Street
The Union League

 
Mercato and Del Frisco’s also had nice clean sidewalks

 Rittenhouse Square

 Last night I covered the South Street Tree Lighting with Santa. The column should be up at Philly.com shortly. I’ll link it here.
Categories
Philadelphia

Shopping for a Good Cause – 12/11/13

Finish your holiday shopping, give to a great cause and support your
local Philadelphia shops all in one night! Kick off, gift bag pickup
& champagne toast at Knit Wit, 1729 Chestnut Street at 6pm. Shop at
participating shops on Chestnut Street; Knit Wit, South Moon Under,
Charlie’s Jeans, Beans & Rittenhouse Sports Specialties. End the
night with us for bites & bubbly at Ocean Prime, 124 S. 15th Street. 
(I’m a committee member)
Categories
Philadelphia

NO RESERVATIONS SOLD OUT IT’S FIRST WEEKEND & Contest Giveaway

Hey, I am short on time today and wanted to write about the No Reservations Media Party last week but will do it tomorrow, but in the meantime head check out the info here and then a review at the bottom. Don’t miss this very funny play, that’s here thru December 15.

New York Times best-selling humorist Josh Piven gives theater audiences a
best-case scenario for a surefire hit with the world premier of No
Reservations. This highly original madcap holiday comedy satirizes our
celebrity-obsessed, media-saturated culture & asks what the age-old
story of Christmas might look like today. Written by author of The
Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook and directed by Allison Heishman,
the play runs November 26 until December 15, 2013 at Skybox @The
Adrienne Theater

Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/events/228987641.html#ixzz2mbOfHrvb
Review in the South Philly Review
I have two pairs of tickets to give a way for the Historic Homes in Fairmount Park Tours. Send me an email and at the end of the day I’ll have that magic online random thing pick one of you.
Categories
Philadelphia

Stag & Doe Shopping Nights begin TONIGHT in Chestnut Hill

Stag & Doe Shopping Nights begin TONIGHT in Chestnut Hill

December 4th, 11th, 18th shops will stay open until 9 p.m. as part of

Holidays on the Hill
Philadelphia, Pa – December 4, 2013. Beginning Wednesday, December 4, Chestnut Hill will host three
special holiday evenings in December during which retailers along Germantown Ave. will stay open until 9:00 p.m. and restaurants will offer special holiday promotions. Stag & Doe Nights are a beloved tradition in Chestnut Hill and will feature music, carolers, a visit from Santa, and lots of merriment. FREE parking is available in the 6 parking lots along Germantown Avenue on Wednesday evenings and every weekend from November 23 through December 31.

December 4th, 11th, 18th shops will
stay open until 9 p.m. as part of Holidays on the Hill

@chestnuthillpa #HolidaysOnTheHill #BeEnchanted
www.facebook.com/chestnuthill.pa

Philadelphia,
Pa – December 4, 2013. Beginning Wednesday, December 4, Chestnut Hill will host three special
holiday evenings in December during which retailers along Germantown Ave. will stay open until 9:00
p.m. and restaurants will offer special holiday promotions. Stag & Doe
Nights are a beloved tradition in Chestnut Hill and will feature music,
carolers, a visit from Santa, and lots of merriment. FREE parking is available
in the 6 parking lots along Germantown
Avenue on Wednesday evenings and every weekend
from November 23 through December 31.

Chestnut Hill is hosting several pop-up shops during
the holidays as well.  The Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society (PHS) opened its annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop at 8433 Germantown Ave.
on November 8.  The PHS store is offering
terrariums, candles, gifts, and other popular holiday items. Other new pop-up
shops open in November and December include From Bali to Bala, Bohemian Pink,
Pennsylvania General Store, Onice, and Hillsley Hood.
Highlights of Holidays
on the Hill include Stag and Doe Shopping Nights on Wednesday evenings,
December 4, 11, and 18. The Chestnut Hill Holiday House Tour will take place on
Saturday, December 7.  On Sunday
afternoons, December 8, 15, and 22, between 12:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m., Santa
and musicians will stroll along Germantown
Avenue. On Saturday, December 14, the Chestnut
Hill Community Association will present a Holiday Parade from 9:00 a.m. to
10:00 a.m. along the Avenue. In addition, a glass blowing demonstration will
take place in the 8400 block of Germantown Avenue between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00
p.m.
Sponsors of Holidays
on the Hill include Chestnut Hill Hospital, Chestnut Hill Business
Association, Chestnut Hill Business Improvement District, Chestnut Hill Parking
Foundation, Woodmere Art Museum, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Morris Arboretum,
Valley Green Bank, State Farm Insurance, Gravers Lane Gallery, and Philadelphia Magazine.  For more information visit www.chestnuthillpa.com/chestnut-hills/holiday-festival.
Categories
Philadelphia

GREEN TREE SCHOOL & SERVICES OPENS THE DOORS TO THEIR DREAM HOME

A little over a year ago Green Tree School broke ground in Germantown at 1196 E. Washington Lane, embarking on a new chapter for a really amazing educational institution for children.

Green Tree School is a Philadelphia-based private school serving autistic children and their families

Not only did Green Tree School move, but it’s also changing it’s name to Green Tree School & Services (GTSS)
Julie Alleman, COO, Pa State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, Tricia Wellenbach, CEO and Craig Williams

Chris Cummings, Robin Eglin and Craig Williams
Julie Alleman, COO, Sen Robert Casey and Tricia Wellenbach, CEO on tour of the new state of the art building.
Sen Robert Casey, Congressman Chaka Fattah, Tricia Wellenbach, CEO, Pa State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, and Councilwomen Cindy Bass
Daralene Jones NBC 10 greets the gathered guests

Daralene Jones spoke of many different programs Green Tree promised. It’s a special place with a very ambitious vision, and the vision comes to life today.
Some of the Green Tree School teachers
Julie Alleman, COO
guests at the opening
The new school will also house a Behavioral Health Services, an On-Site
Outpatient Clinic, and their training and consultation programs.
Patricia D. Wellenbach

U.S. Sen. Robert Casey (D-Pa.)

 
Maria Wing,
Patricia D. Wellenbach
and Al Motley
State Rep Kinsey and Eugene Albert (VP Community Outreach for Cliveden )

After the opening ceremony there was a luncheon reception
The guests went on tours of the new building.

Teachers and students in the new  Green Tree School & Services gym. Check out the teacher on the left hand side kicking up her feet.
Categories
Philadelphia

DeSean Jackson’s Big Blow Out Birthday with Ashanti, His Mom, Homies & Crazy Birthday Cakes,

DeSean Jackson celebrated his 27th birthday on Sunday by recording his
first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2010 in the Eagles’ 24-21 win
over the Arizona Cardinals. Jackson, who needed 15 yards to reach the
mark, topped it with a 25-yard catch in the second quarter. (Philly.com)
These photos are all from either DeSean Jackson’s Instagram, his Friends or his Mom’s.

 Then he got suited up to go out and celebrate his birthday with
 His mom Gayle and homies at Del Frisco’s at 15th & Chestnut Streets, you know the place across the street from the Wendy’s where Kanye took Kim last week.
 Looks like there was another special gal there too, singer Ashanti.
 Besides having steak, seafood and sides, they served up some pretty fantastic birthday cakes.
One at DelFrisco’s

 The other they brought to the club – Whisper
 Thursday you can help DeSean Jackson celebrate his birthday at Rumor Nightclub (15th and Sansom) in Philly. Tell my buddy Tee Fish I said hi.

If that doesn’t work for you, there’s a meet and greet with JacPot at the Sports Vault Shop in KOP. Tonight that Foles guy will be signing, for a price too.
Sports Vault is proud to present the Philadelphia Eagles Nick Foles in a public autograph signing event.

The Nick Foles Public Autograph Signing will take place at Sports Vault,
King of Prussia Mall Location, on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, from
7-9pm.

Sports Vault Shop

Categories
Philadelphia

After School Musicals Needs Your Help to Put On A Phila School District Wide Project

After School Musicals
Presents
HAIRSPRAY
A Philadelphia School
District Wide Project
Greetings,
My name is David Pershica and I am writing to you regarding
an exciting new endeavor that I am spearheading, that I thought you would be
interested in supporting.
I have started a new non-profit organization that provides
arts programming for Philadelphia High School students that don’t have
performing arts programming in their schools.
In May of this year, I am presenting the musical Hairspray that will be performed and
designed by high school students.
My mission is three fold:

1.    
To provide high school students the opportunity
to design and perform in a musical.

2.    
To present the production at a high school that
needs to upgrade their performing arts facilities.

3.    
To give the students the opportunity to work
side by side with theatre professionals from Philadelphia and New York City.

This inaugural production will be
presented at the Paul Robeson High
School in West Philadelphia. 
So far, I have the support of the
Philadelphia School District, the PTO, 
District Community Partnership program, and over 175 students have sent
me emails asking to be involved in the production.
This is a huge endeavor that
requires a lot of financial support. 
This new non-profit is based on a business model that will leave us with
a hefty surplus.   Our initial start up
costs are $20,000, but we will end up with $30,000 by closing night of the
show.
Because our business model is
based on support from the community, I’d like to ask you make a donation on
this Giving Tuesday.  Just click the link below.  Any amount is greatly appreciated.  And
remember, no donation is too large!
https://www.wepay.com/donations/after-school-musical-hairspray
Deadline for this donation drive,
is Friday, December 6 at noon.
Thank you for your generous
support of this exciting new project.
Best wishes for the holiday season,
David Pershica
After School Musical
The
Painted Bride Arts Center is our very generous Fiscal Sponsor.
Categories
Philadelphia

AVANCE has a new GREEN Door and Hot Wheels to film in Philadelphia

So sad to hear about actor Paul Walker’s untimely passing. He was an intregal party of the Fast and Furious movie franchise, which was filming sequel #7 in Atlanta right now.  For years other movie production companies have wanted to compete or topple that franchise, and the movie “Hot Wheels” has been hot on it’s heels to do so. Just last month the movie was attached to director/stunt man Simon Crane. As I’ve reported in the past, there are two movies in the works to film here in Philly. One of them is Hot Wheels, which is set in Illinois, and sounds like it’s going to have a lot of outdoors filming. Here’s a little info on the Hot Wheels movie, I don’t think you’ll find anything about it being attached to Philly yet as that came from a tipster or three a few months back: 

The former Le Bec Fin at 1523 Walnut Street I hear is scheduled to open Friday, December 6 under new ownership and name: Avance. Two-star Michelin chef Justin Bogle will be at the helm chef for what promises to be a
progressive American restaurant. (Foobooz has some more info on the eatery)