Philly Chit Chat

The New Year is nearly a week old. How are those resolutions going? Today is the day I am starting my resolutions, as I have all my “family and friends” parties out of the way. It’s odd I was able to quit drinking those two decades ago during the holidays as I saw disaster looming, but as for my “diet” I needed to get passed my cousin Debbie & Dave’s family reunion which was Sunday. Now I am ready for another serious try and losing some weight. January and February really are good months to start that as my social calendar is fairly light, except for every Saturday night. This week there’s the Lemon Ball, next week the Auto Show & Hair of the Dog, then it’s the Academy Ball.(ooh BTW I wrote this for Monday and well forgot to hit publish. It’s all good. Have a great day, oh and check out my PhillyMag column today for the Michael Vick Team Vick Cocktail Party. Go to PhillyMag.com after you read this, and you’ll see they put my photo on the left hand side with a link to my columns. I love it, so much easier to find them now. You’ll like the stories, and a list of a few upcoming events with interesting peeps. Plus Kiajfa looks fabulous!!)

Here are a few shots from New Year’s Eve that didn’t land in my other outlets for one thing or another. Thanks to the Penns Landing Corporation for inviting mike and I to the party on Penns Landing to see the fireworks and enjoy some treats. Mike and I are huge fireworks fans. We’ve seen the show from every conceivable angle on Penns Landing, but from the VIP tent area, and it was quite a treat.

The theme of the early fireworks was “THE
FIRE WITHIN”, which when explained to me seemed as if we were to
metaphorically burn sage to rid ourselves of any bad entity that
enveloped us in 2012. Out with the old, and in with the new

 It was there I ran into my good friend Greta Greenberger, City Hall Tour Guide Rm 121. I’ve spoken about Greta before, which was about how we’ve been friends for over 15 years. Before I was PCC I lived vicariously through her tales of the City, events and people never thinking that one day I would be covering them. Sadly now I don’t see her as often as I did in those years. We’d have lunch at least once if not twice a week, and occasional see each other outside of the day. In fact the other day I came across a few photos of her and her husband Greta I had taken over the years, as you know I am preparing for a 5 year retrospect of pixs from PCC for a show at Replicia Creative on 18th St on 1/16/13 at 6PM, hope you’ll come by. (The photos will remain up there for a month in case you can’t make it.)

Alan and Greta Greenberger circa 2003 at one of my famous dinner parties, which I never have anymore. Altho another 2013 Resolution is to re-connect with friends, call my current friends, and create a few new ones.  Building my business didn’t allow much time for actual friend time, although I have met a lot of nice people.

 Tom Corcoran, President of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation,
Michael DiBerardinis is Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community
Resources in Philadelphia and Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for
Economic Development

 Meryl
Levitz, President & CEO at GPTMC, Mayor Michael Nutter and Joan
Reilly, Chief Operating Officer of Mural Arts 

New Year’s Day I woke up bright and early and headed to Center City to catch
the Mummer’s Parade, a tradition I’ve done since I was a kid. I like to
watch the parade for a bit, then hit up some parties and watch the rest
on TV all the way up to the Fancies inside the Pennsylvania Convention
Center. First I walk along the route to see who who’s out and about. I
heard my name and there on top of the SugarHouse bus travelling up Broad
Street was singer Eddie Bruce, with granddaughter Mady and her bubby
Kristi Horwitz. Starting tonight at 8PM, and every Thursday night, at
SugarHouse Casino it’s Eddie Bruce & Friends.  Thanks to SugarHouse Casino for the Fireworks and the Mummer’s Parade.

Inside the Kimmel I found Helga Bacon (l) guarding the Sharpies so that
guests could fill out the gigantic 2013 Resolution Board. Dafni Comerota
and her daughter Elise. Last night I saw the Le Miz 25th anniversary
production which is part of the Kimmel Center Broadway Series. It was
the first time I’d ever seen it, and it’s as good as everyone says. It
will be interesting to see it as a movie now. (Jan. 2-Jan. 13) http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=4396 edit

 

In the afternoon I headed to Tania and Marc Schades annual party at the Ritz
Residences. Delicious food by Miles Catering, and the company was the
best. I settled in in front of the TV and finished watching the last two
hours of the parade.

This past Saturday night I went to a birthday party, and ran into two attorney’s I used to work for in my previous life as a paralegal at Kohn, Swift & Graf. Barbara L. Moyer, with hubby Colin Gibson, and Hadley Perkins Roeltgen with hubby Michael  Roeltgen.  So fun to catch up with them. Tonight (1/7/13) I begin my winter “social calendar” with the Michael Vick Team 7 Charity event at Tashan conveniently at 7. Find that column in PhillyMag tomorrow, and check out the Jen Carroll party & other chefs I ran into on New Year’s HERE

 CTO Artists would be perfect for your next event. Crooner Eddie Bruce and his band were the band of choice at the Papadakis/Kent Wedding in November. Plus they have 2 other bands to choose from, as well as DJ’s and other options. Check out their site for Info and music samples: Here

I’m on the internet a lot, it’s my job. I come across funny and interesting articles and usually share or retweet them, but I’ve come to find some of my readers aren’t on Twitter, or Instagram. So once in awhile I’m gonna share these funny and interesting social media tidbits here on PhillyChitChat. YOU CAN CLICK ON PIXS TO MAKE LARGER, just sayin’

Recently I’ve mentioned on Twitter how Sabir M. Peele @MensStylePro is one to watch. He’s got a great social media prescence and blog about fashion. Fashion he wears, and that others wear. His wife takes most of the photos, and is pretty fashionable herself. Check out Sabir Christmas morning. Now that is enough to scare Santa away.

Seems actor and singer-songwriter Logan Henderson had a problem with American Airlines and he let his over one million readers know it. Two days later AA made it all better and tweeted it so. I like how he used very similar wording for both tweets.

 Opps Jimmy Contreras thinks Steve Highsmith needs a stylist. Guess his sweater was taking all the joy out of the Mummers Parade.

 

 So funny Michele Paiva has learned a lot during her flu stint. Last week Philebrity noted that Philly is knee high in the flu epidemic. Remember wash your hands, and if you’re sick, stay home. I will I promise.

 The Shops of Liberty Place are having lots of sales, especially at Express where I got a shot of a lady that seemed at any moment she’d fall into the sales box.

 Philly Inquirer’s Craig LeBann reviewed Sbraga again, and again gave them 2 Bells. In honor of the review @benfileccia is wearing his @craiglebann 2 Bells proudly on his lapel . I just found out that the twitter name for Sbraga is @Sbraga_Dining in case you ever go there and want to tweet about it. It was the first time I ate there and it was delicious. Really. I went with my friend Carol Drumstas and she concurred. Tasting menu was $49 and we were full.

Oy did I mention I got a little behind. This is one of those events that I wanted to originally put on Philly.com but it ran close to the weekend and then Thanksgiving week, then after the holiday’s it was just too far from the event. Then I got bombarded during the holidays, but the message is loud and clear with this event and is always timely:  It’s the Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center 4th Annual Men’s Event at the Prime Rib

Anytime I see my accountant I want to give him a plug, can you imagine what a pain it is to work with disorganized me: Morris Gocial CPA/CFF CrFA CVA and Joe Weiss | Electronic Ink

Awards given that evening:

The “Spirit of Commitment Award”
will be given to Men’s Event Co-Chairs, Edwin “Tucker” Boynton and Albert Pizzica, M.D., presented to an individual to recognize outstanding commitment to supporting the work of the Kimmel Cancer Center through personal and professional contributions
dedicated to finding a cure.

Albert Pizzica, Jay Mohr, Natalia Pestell and Dr Richard Pestell

Meet my newest advertiser  
H. Bandi Jewelers 
at     648 South Street  in  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147  
(267) 639-2844 – Tell them you read it on PhillyChitChat. Thanks

I’ve never seen a party get as hyped as the TriStateNYE New Year’s Eve Party at the Linc on New Year’s Eve. I couldn’t make it as I don’t do take jobs on NYE cause I have my traditions, but had I been able to sneak away this would have been the party I would have gone to. My buddy, 2nd photographer Mike Hirata  sent me a few shots of the red carpet as he attended. Don’t judge Mike on the quality of the pixs after LeSean McCoy. I wanted to try out a different resizer and oy, it’s terrible. Won’t do that again. Anyway here goes with the party at the Linc Co-Hosted by LeSean McCoy. Please send me links to other snaps shot at this party, I haven’t been able to locate any.

A creative, passionate clothing designer  Alloyius McIlwaine, founded his clothing company in 2000, and has really exploded his brand in the past few years. Don’t take my word for it, check out his site here, Culture Clothes,  with his beautiful, talented sister TV host Kharisma McIlwaine

 215NYE Red Carpet Host Syreeta Martin (also of Sincerely Syreeta)
interviews Ashley Johnson of PHL17.

WOWSI, stylish singer Lauren Shaye brightens the  Red Carpet before entertaining
the crowd.

 Last night I caught Les Misérables at the Academy. It was the first time I saw it. I love musicals and plays, but for some reason I just never saw the play that everyone in the world has seen nearly as many times as Phantom of the Opera, which I have seen about 4 times. (For the record I’ve seen Wicked 5 times, Rent about 7 times)

I got a tip that Captain America Chris Evans was at Opening Night last night with his girlfriend Minka Kelly. it must have been super low key, cause hardly a peep is on twitter. Thanks to a tipster who sent me the pix above.  I’m guessing that the duo was there to see a friend in the play in Philadelphia, as they already saw the movie a month ago according to Chris’ tweet “Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway” And you know what was amazing, the movie is out. It’s #3 at the Box Office and the place was SOLD OUT. It’s a fan favorite. There are still a few tickets left, and you’ll recognize the songs. Mike came home and played, on Youtube, “I Dreamed a Dream” by every conceivable artist. Now I’m humming it.

Carly Aquino got this shot of Chris Evans and tweeted, I think he was with his girlfriend. The play was great, very epic and more than just about someone stealing bread. I was surprised at how quickly the nearly 3 hour musical zipped by. The cast was phenomenal, and the audience gave them 3 standing ovations. I hadn’t been to the Academy in awhile, and couldn’t remember how the seats were. They were nice, and much roomier on the ends, for us hefty people who didn’t start our New Year’s Resolutions yet. Check out Les Miz at the Academy of Music which runs through January 13th.

Oh I forgot this gem from moi and Laura Burkhardt’s annual drive through NJ to see Christmas lights. This house was on Mercer Street in Cherry Hill. He had a nice disco ball on the porch.

 So excited to be invited to The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation tent to watch the annual SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.

If you’re a long time reader of PCC, you know I love fireworks. Every year I watch both sets of the New Year’s shows. It was fun to see it from this angle ie right in front of them. Great to see fun people too. It was the first time I photographed an event since 12/20, I was a little rusty – LOL Check out PhillyMag.com today to see who I saw where.

 After the Penns Landing Fireworks, I headed over to a charity event to photograph it’s cocktail party. Then to Jen Carroll’s New New Year’s Eve Party at the Waterfront Square Condos. Every condo has a view of the City and water. Love them.

 Jen’s condo faces north, but this is the view you see from the balcony and living room windows. Spectacular.

 Sunny, moi and Jen trying to symbolize 2013.  I know I got the O’s down, but what are they doing.

 New Year’s Day. I love the parade, but much rather shoot the people watching the parade. This year I felt the crowds were down a bit. I think people had party fatigue since most folks were off work for nearly 2 weeks before New Years Day, and some had to work on 1/2

 Oh those Froggy Mummers. This guy fell down and had a hand injury I was told. What you can’t see well are the huge smiles on both the Froggy faces. What a bummer of a day to be carted away from the party.

Fail, Fail, Fail. The bleachers and crowds in front of the Union League. I don’t mind the bleachers, but they should not let people stand behind them leaving a one person path. It’s dangerous and it’s a slow move. I Instagrammed this shot and called it “Bottoms Up”

 Inside the Kimmel Center. They have a wonderful tradition of opening up so folks can use the bathrooms, get warm, and enjoy free performances. Oh and did I mention the hot chocolate and Garces snacks.

 Don’t forget these shows coming:
   
PIFA 2013 (March 28-April 27) tickets go on sale Jan. 23 to public
http://www.pifa.org/

·        
Le Miz 25th anniversary production should be on everyone’s To Do this New Year  (Jan. 2-Jan. 13)
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=4396

·        
And, comedian Louis CK performance at the Merriam, Jan 16-18, is another hot ticket item you don’t want to miss
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=4581

·        
*New
show added: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Merriam, Jan. 30,
program includes Philly native hip hop choreographer Rennie Harris’ Home;
and Philly Premiere of new work, Takademe, by Robert Battle, the
new artistic director of Alvin Ailey making his debut in Philly with
the African American modern dance group.

 

 Every year they put up a Resolution Wall. It’s very popular, and every one seems to air their resolution laundry. I felt it was too personal, I’ll just share mine on Twitter and here.

 They leave it up for a month or so, so you can run down there and get an idea of what others are going to do to make the world a better place. I like the one that say “come to the Kimmel Center more.” More fun in 2013 – I want to be their friend. “Do better at math.” and my favorite “Live in the Moment.”

 Mine is to buy a new camera, this Nikon D7000 is killing me. Do you see how it back focuses. Ugh. I’m sending it back. Anyway this is Hilda Bacon and avatar?

 Finally I headed over to the Schade’s annual New Year’s Mummers Watching Party. I ran into this folks in the lobby who read PhillyChitChat and watch me on Fox 29. Hi!!

Happy New Year mates, and welcome back to the new year, refreshed, renewed and rested PhillyChitChat/HughE Dillon. So excited to cover Philly for you, in addition to giving you tidbits about our fair City as well as the folks who live or work here. Remember to also follow me on Twitter (iPhillyChitChat), Instagram (PhillyChitChat) and subscribe to FB Philly ChitChat, as I am at the capacity of 5000 followers. Thanks, onward….

Executive Leaders Radio,  hosted their 2nd annual CEO Philanthropy Awards breakfast to
recognize which recognized 20 CEO’s for their leadership, devotion and commitment to their
communities. These awards not only recognize their devotion to
supporting their communities by giving back, it also looks at how they
themselves have been role models within their companies and communities.
The event was held at the Navy Yard on December 4, 2013 (and as I explained last week I got a little behind with my updates. None the less this event is timeless and all about the generosity of others.)

Richard Cohen, Withum Smith & Brown and Anthony Mongeluzo, Pro Computer Services and Gary Bagin, Stradley Ronon

 

This husband wife team are not only philanthropic, by creative too. What an enjoyable speech they gave on business sense and giving back. So funny too. Marty Tuzman/Jenkintown Building Service and Eileen Heisman/National Philanthropic Trust 

 Torpey White, Director | Governance, Risk & Compliance & Service Organization Elko & Co, Carl Webster, Easter Seals and Ron Clarke, Century 21 received an Executive Leaders Radio CEO Philanthropy Award!

Caitlin Crowe,  Manager, Donor Development and Special Events – The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Anthony Falco,CEO and President, Strategic Wealth Management and Strategic Benefits Group. Falco was Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of The Year raising the most money for the organization in 2012.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! What an amazing year I’ve had. My business and brand just exploded and I was swamped. A wonderful thing especially in this economy. It’s so sad that our country is taking so long to recover, and it’s so sad what’s going on in society. Sometimes it’s hard for me to write about people, and glamorous events with so much strife in the world, but my friend Phyllis tells me people want an escape, they want happy, they love the local angle on life that I write about. So I will keep on keeping on. Thank you for all your support over these past five years and giving PCC it’s best year ever with nearly 1.5 million views in 2012.

 

What a great year of celebrations for this milestone. Thank you to Cashman & Associates for throwing the 5th Anniversary PhillyChitChat party and for the nearly 250 that came out to support it. Thank You Reserve Steakhouse for committing to my party, I was sad they closed a few days later. I had so many people contact me to throw parties there as they loved the space. I couldn’t understand why they were contacting me (I was away at the time) and then I read they went out of business.  There’s one final event coming up 1/16/13 at Replica Creative. It’s a retrospect of photos I’ve taken over the past 5 years of YOU. So I hope you’ll come by. 33 s 18th Street 6PM – 8PM Wed 1/16/12.

Here are a few of the photos and events I attended this year. The Barnes Opening. I love the building, I love the event space, I love the grounds, I’ve never toured the art exhibit except in it’s old home in Merion. This year I’ll make sure I check it out.

 

Padraic Jacob Maroney had a fun 30th birthday party at the Vesper Boat House, and invited his family and friends. He’s been a long time movie critic for Edge Philadelphia, and the evening had a movie theme to it. He created this poster of himself for his friends to sign. I just love it.

 Hopeless romantic Erin Elmore finds met the love of her life, Craig Spitzer, through friends.

 Congratulations to Jill Rizen and Andy Hennig on their marriage over the weekend in Miami, here with Elaine Graber.

 take an exercise class. If you haven’t met the guy or
gal of your dreams yet, you need to add some new friends to your life.
There’s a whole new pool of possibilities. Go out with that new friend
who says lets get a drink together, or have coffee. That’s how I did it.
You meet, they meet your friends you meet their friends and who knows
what could come of it.

 Nearly every morning I capture the sunrise from my living room window. i post the shots on Twitter & Facebook, and my newly discovered Instagram. Follow me on Instagram at PhillyChitChat

 Jason Cichonski (Ela) getting a smooch from his biggest
fan Nicole with Ilana Waber and Sam “is that an IPhone in your Pocket”
Shoap. Check out my full column in Philly Mag coverage of the event HERE

 Thanks to the producer & director – Tommy Oliver (l) of 1982  (with Hill Harper (C) and Wayne Brady (r) for allowing me to photograph the film set in West Mt Airy, this past summer (it was one of those 100F days too.) When they broke for lunch I got a tip about Miley & Liam eating at Capital Grill and I hurried to Center City to capture them leaving on their 2nd day in the City. That was a great day for me.

 What an awesome year of film making and paparazzi shots for me. So much fun, and just a little stress.

 

So nice to get to know Alicia Vitarelli this year, with husband Matthew Pantaleno, Kristen Insalaco, Weber Shandwick/Revel Resorts, 6 ABC anchor Brian Taff, and producer Mara Webb Taff.  Highlight of my year was being one of three photographers (no other photogs shot the event) hired to shoot the opening weekend at Revel Resorts with Beyonce in concert. Beyonce & Jay Z like to review the photos before they got sent out to the press. Photographer Kevin Mazur (WireImage) told me he took 3000 pixs of Beyonce the first night of her opening concert at Revel, and after the review he was only allowed to release 6 to his agency, but they were spectacular. (I submit my celeb pixs to WENN. The photo above did not go there. I actually took it on my pocket camera just for my own memory. Beyonce is an amazing performer.) (unpublished til now)

Chris Gabello never takes himself seriously, but he does take his work very seriously.  We’re going to miss him here in Philly, as many high profile clients in NYC saw his photography talent and has whisked him away. He’ll still have a studio here in Center City, staffed with lots of talented photographers, but he’ll be doing most of his work up in the Big Apple where he and his wife Krista now live.(We started in the biz at the same time, and I will always treasure those first growing years.) (unpublished)

 

 Thanks to all my clients whether you hired me or advertised with PCC. January 2 will be my 2 year anniversary of monetizing the blog with advertisements and by being hired to shoot events (When you hire me, you get to keep the photos and I’ll also write your event up here on PCC). Before that my blog was a hobby as I had a job as a paralegal. When I was laid off I pursued my hobby as a job. I was unsure if someone could money that way as there weren’t very many people who did. For me it was like the book said. Do something you love, and the money will follow. It’s great to do something you love, and make money while doing it. I wish everyone could do it. It makes life so much more enjoyable. I would at least recommend you find a hobby you love.(unpublished)

 This is my absolute favorite photo in 2013 of PhillyChitChat. Butch Cordova was doing a promo for Boconcept furniture on Chestnut Street by living in their store window. Each day someone from a different decade would visit him. I stopped by for the ’80s with Jade Starling. I pinch myself that I know Jade Starling, I was clubbing in the ’80s and I danced night after night to some of Jade Starling & Pretty Poison’s songs. So many great memories there. In 2013 she has a new dance CD coming out called “Dance Revolution” Also Jade Starling performed at one of the many parties people threw PhillyChitChat this year. Thanks to Noel Zayas and Garden Wellington for putting that shindig on for me.
(BTW Gabello shot Butch’s 2008 Straight & Gay Calendar)

Joseph Neubauer, former chief executive of food services giant Aramark, and Aileen Roberts, who is actively involved in the community and Philadelphia philanthropy, received the Philadelphia Award for their work on the new Barnes on the Parkway.- The Philly Post – HughE Dillon Joseph Neubauer checking out his award as Aileen Roberts gives her acceptance speech. (shot with natural light. This is definitely one of my favorite shots – unpublished)

 Made in America’s Anheuser Busch Clydesdale come to Fairmount. This is the owner of Bishop’s Colalr. (unpublished)

I was honored to be in Maria Papadakis’ wedding, but I struggled with the decision as I wanted to capture every joyous moment of the day, like when she exited the limo at the church. I was able to sneak out the door of the church and capture this on my pocket camera before the wedding planner yelled at me. It’s one of my favorites of the day.

Happy New Year, and thanks for all your support not only here at PhillyChitChat, but my other media outlets:  Follow me on Twitter @iPhillyChitChat for the latest celebrity sightings, events to attend, and interesting tidbits. Then look for the photos & story on PhillyChitChat.com, in my columns on PhillyMag.com (The Scene), Liberty City Press & Philly.com (Out & About) or check out my Society/Celeb segments on Fox 29’s Good Day Philly. Check out the sidebar for things to do today and tonight. Also check out my other entry today for Mummers info, including the live stream for those who want to watch from home.