Philly Chit Chat

Just Announced: Fly Me To The Moon as you transport yourself to another time and place with the Rat Pack Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the one and only cool cat Sammy Davis Jr.

PHILADELPHIA — April 17, 2023 — Get ready to swing with the coolest cats in town! Guests will enjoy dinner and a tribute to the 1960s music era when Strictly Sinatra Presents: The Rat Pack transports them back to the time of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. at Rivers Casino Philadelphia on July 28. Tickets for The Event Center show start at $59 and go on sale Friday, April 21, at 10 a.m.

Enjoy Dinner Before the Show — 7:30 p.m.

Guests will enjoy a sit-down dinner, included in the ticket price. The menu features a generous portion of baked ziti with a meatball, preceded by a Caesar salad and bread course. Dinner also includes a glass of house wine and limoncello gelato for dessert.

Strictly Sinatra Presents: The Rat Pack — 8 p.m.

This electrifying show will bring the Rat Pack to life, courtesy of some of the most talented tribute artists in the business. Michael Dutra, who has been recognized as one of the top Sinatra tribute artists in the world, leads the ensemble. The show features Dutra’s smooth vocals as he sings Sinatra classics such as “My Way,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Guests will feel like they’re watching Ol’ Blue Eyes himself.

Two Shows with Jeffrey Osborne at Rivers Casino Philadelphia on June 16 & June 17. He has a new CD out “A Time for Love” , but you know he’s going to sing On The Wings of Love. I just saw him 2 years ago at the Dell, and he was amazing. Very personable, and entertaining. You’re going to enjoy this special night.

One of my favorite late night spots in the City to eat, especially Chinese food, is Mian at Rivers Casino. One warning, unless you’re really hungry, an entree will do as their portion sizes are big, but do get the egg rolls. So good. If you were there last month, you saw me eating there at least twice, near midnight.

For more goings on at Rivers Casino Philadelphia head to their website, or their Social Media, they’ve been paying out slot jackpots all month long. When I was there a few weeks ago, a women won $15,000- on a $2 bet.

Good afternoon. Hope you had a wonderful weekend, and you were able to see the Cherry Trees as well as the other bloomers. (There’s still daylight til 7:25pm) After the Phillies were cancelled because of the storm of the century, I took the afternoon off to capture a most spectacular showing this year.

Another sure sign of spring… the Swann Fountain at Logan Circle has been filled and turned on. In no time flat people were wading in the water, despite the chill in the air. It’s a Philly Thing, no really.

Faherty – funky, fun men’s women clothing boutique.

A Walk Up Walnut: Rittenhouse Row is hot, hot, hot again with many new stores opening like Brooklinen, an upscale bedding store, Glossier, a make up, skin care shop, Gorjana, a fun, fine jewelry boutique and soon to be Mejuri a fine jewelry boutique. They are currently hiring. as well.

Joybird, a furnishing store recently opened, not to be confused by Allbirds a shoe store just up the street. BTW Thanks to several notable Philly building’s who have dimmed their lights in order to protect the birds during their spring migration as part of the Light’s Out Program.

KOP Mall: It’s been announced that Versace is opening soon at the King of Prussia Mall, and I hear DIOR is opening as well but there is no info on when or where, but I hear they’re hiring.

Doug Deitch, Cocktails with a Kick Committee Chair, Meg Kane, Starfinder Foundation Visionary Leader award in honor of Tony Williams, Host City Executive, Philadelphia Soccer 2026, Zion Nwalipenja, Starfinder Foundation Youth Participant and Katerina Bezhani, Starfinder Foundation Alum.

Congratulations to Meg Kane – President & CEO – Signature 57 for receiving Starfinder Foundation‘s Visionary Leader Award for her commitment to the future of the #Philadelphia region!

“As our Host City Executive, Meg has accomplished so much in helping to secure our bid for the 2026 World Cup, and we know her hard work is going to have a lasting impact on our city and youth. We couldn’t be more proud to have her on our team.” Starfinder Foundation. (I normally shoot this event, but I was away so they were nice enough to send me a photo from the event. It’s a great organization, their mission: Starfinder is a sports-based youth development organization using soccer to inspire social change and transform the lives of youth from underserved neighborhoods in the Philadelphia region.)

The NBC10 crew was spotted at Top Tomato Bar (delicious food, and dancing late night) on Friday celebrating Marvin Gomez and Isabel Sanchez‘s birthday organized by party princess Karen Hua. On hand for the celebration Sheila Watko, Frances Wang, Christine Abreu, Michelle Rotella, Aunyea Lachelle, Miguel Martinez-Valle and beau Ray Smeriglio.

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That’s all for now folks. Be sure to keep an eye out for more spring happenings around town, and as always, stay tuned for more of my adventures in the City of Brotherly Love here and on Social Media. Thanks HughE

Taste America, presented by Capital One, is a nationwide initiative to bring together chefs, special guests, and diners from across the country to celebrate the local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities came to Philadelphia last week.

On Wednesday, the James Beard Foundation revealed its list of restaurants and chefs being honored at the 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards and Chef Nok Suntaranon, chef and owner of Kalaya Thai Kitchen Philadelphia was on the list.

Now in its 10th year, Taste America takes on expanded shape with the TasteTwenty—a group of 20 chef teams from 20 cities across the country working together and championing the James Beard Foundation, including Philadelphia’s very own chef Chutatip ‘Nok’ Suntaranon of Kalaya, hosted 400 guests at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Darnell’s Cakes
Presented by Capital One
Negroni Bar > Grapefruit Custard with Shortbread Crust and Campari Glaze
**Vegetarian and nut-free; contains dairy and gluten

Chocolate Cake with Nutella Buttercream and Toasted Hazelnuts
**Vegetarian; contains dairy, gluten, and nuts

Homemade Banana Pudding with Toasted Sugar Cookies
**Vegetarian and nut-free; contains dairy and gluten

Have you heard: Visit Philadelphia^® and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) announced the launch of their first-ever joint destination marketing campaign, “Come for Philadelphia. Stay for Philly.” This fun, lighthearted campaign puts the city’s confidence and attitude at the forefront as it aims to drive visitation to the region across all travel segments — leisure, business and group — in 2023 and in the lead up to 2026, when the city will host major activities around America250, the FIFA World Cup and the MLB All-Star Game.

Karli Lubin and Rachel Greenlee

Morgan and Kyle Mann

Tonii Hicks (pictured here with her teacher, renowned chef herself Charisse McGill Philadelphia’s ‘French Toast Lady‘ (On Thursday the Sixers honored McGill and Lokal as the 2023 honoree of the team’s annual 76ers Buy Black Program.)

Tonii Hicks Beard House Fellow 2022
Presented by VISIT Philadelphia
Counterkake > Pound Cake Bars with Raspberry Jam Cream
**Vegetarian and nut-free; contains dairy and gluten

Eli Kulp and Marisa Manatta are co-hosts of the Chef’s Podcast, which will be recorded live at the 2nd Annual Manna dinner on April 26. I went last year and it was deliciously fun.

Thanks everyone for popping in today. Sorry for my few and far between posts. We’ve been busy here at PhillyChitChat, shooting lots of events. After I shoot an event, I prepare photos for my outlets, then I either post here, or shoot another event and then I get behind on posts here. For example the James Beard Event published in CBSPhilly, in Metro Philly and I submitted photos for PhillyStyle May Issue and Mainline Today for June’s issue. Normally I wouldn’t post here, but there was a lot of extraneous news attached to this post, like the Visit Philly new campaign, the Manna Dinner and of course my friend Charisse being honored by the Sixers.

The Philadelphia Chapter of Little Smiles hosted their Annual Little Smiles Gala on Saturday night March 25, 2023, at the Springfield Country Club. Thanks to Andre Flewellen who photographed the gala.

The Little Smiles Stars Ball is a one-of-a-kind event! Modeled after a Hollywood award show, Stars Ball celebrates incredible children from our very own partner facilities just as we would celebrities! Our children are all nominated by the facilities that we work with for their inspirational stories that have touched the lives of so many.

Yet, their stories are never the same, leaving us in awe of their perseverance. During Stars Ball, our very own STARS get glammed up to walk a red carpet lined with fans and paparazzi. They also get to sign their autograph and take pictures along the way. In addition, the event features a program including highly-anticipated live and silent auctions.

Nargiza Bakaeva, Christine Salerno, Miriam Raines, Nancy Converse, Sydney Hancock, and Susanne Fassino

Samiyah Then-Rabell, Micherly Rabell, Hector Then, and Sabastian Then-Rabell

Stacey Gilroy became part of the Little Smiles family in 2012 when her daughter, Maeve, walked the red carpet as one of our Stars at our annual Stars Ball. That night, Stacey began asking “what can I do to help? How do I get involved?” And the rest is history. From putting together the swag bags for the ball, to assisting with shopping for requests & junk food runs, collecting Halloween costumes, selling tickets for events, fundraising, volunteering at Monte Carlo Night and the Stars Ball…the list is endless. Stacey has been a major supporter of Little Smiles and a champion for the kids we serve. We are forever grateful for all the time and energy Stacey pours into the organization. We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this year’s Big Heart Award. – Little Smiles

“You just had to be there!” This is the phrase many will use when talking about Stars Ball 2023! What an amazing night! No words will do it justice says Felix Agosto about the magical night.

On Thursday, March 16, as basketball enthusiasts gathered for the first day
of the NCAA’s March Madness Tournament, so many disappointments on the court, but there were no disappointments as the

Philadelphia law firm Zarwin Baum hosted their annual party for over 1200 guests at the Crystal Tea Room in Center City, while raising crucial funds for Philabundance.

The Zarwin Baum silent auction is always so impressive with its items ranging from sports memorabilia, a night out on the town and so many unique items like the one Kate Marlys won – a SLIME party. Oh I hope I’m invited, at least to take photos. So fun!!

The atmosphere featured NCAA games on wide-screen TVs throughout the room for the six-hour party. Cheesesteaks, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and wings were all on the menu, it’s a Philly Thing!!

Hughe, Chris Harper, Alicia, Dayna Leaventon, Denethia Durgin, Caroline Foley, Jermaine Jenkins, Ary Modesto and Rob Santorsa (Photo by Andrew Bergman)

Jennifer Gomez and Priscilla Jimenez, ESQ. you have to check out her IG where she gives you thoughtful advice, even Khloe Khardashian took notice.

It was great to have so many sponsors come on board again, it’s beneficial to the hosts as well as to get the word out about services companies have to offer.

Amanda Arroyo, MSW and Michael Newmius, FS Investments
BTW Michael is hiring https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelnewmuis/

Chloe’s 7th Birthday Benefiting the Chordoma Foundation is coming up

Academies Annual Gala is Coming Up

Last night Drew and I were at the FS celebrating the good news, when an engagement popped happened nearby. https://www.instagram.com/p/CqLE4IqDtT4/

Thanks Zarwin Baum for another fun March Madness for a Good Cause Philabundance