Philly Chit Chat

No longer will the gardens of the Rodin be as daunting as
French artist Auguste Rodin’s ”La Porte de l’Enfer’ or Gates of Hell at the entrance of the famed artists museum.
The grounds in which the Thinker resides has just emerged from an extensive renovation.
Today leaders of the city’s cultural and philanthropic communities celebrated the rejuvenation of the Rodin grounds including the courtyard and exterior gardens, which now enhance the entire block between 21st and 22nd Streets on the Parkway. The three-year collaborative project restores the site’s harmony of art and nature.
At the ceremony were
Constance H. Williams, Chair, Board of Trustees, Philadelphia Museum of ArtGail Harrity, President and COO, Philadelphia Museum of ArtDrew Becher, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural SocietyMichael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources, City of PhiladelphiaDonald Kimelman, Managing Director of the Philadelphia Program, The Pew Charitable TrustsTimothy Rub, Director and CEO, Philadelphia Museum of ArtGail Harrity, President and COO, Philadelphia Museum of Art speaking to a reporter about the new landscape
A Media Day is when an organization, whether it’s a restaurant, store, event, moment, new item or in this case a museum, invites all the press to check out their brand spanking new something, usually before the public which is how we like it. Then each of us usually write a piece on the “story”. I like to tell the behind the story story in addition to promoting said event, highlighting what I think might interest you. It’s kinda fun to be the first to see a product brand new spanky sparkly like the grounds of the Rodin Museum.
Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources, City of Philadelphia and Drew Becher, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Although many agencies were involved in this project, the PHS worked alongside OLIN landscape architects coordinating with the placement and design of the gardens, and will manage the maintenance going forward.A media tour of the restored interior and exterior gardens led by OLIN landscape architect Susan Weiler (blue dress)
Timothy Rub, Director and CEO, Philadelphia Museum of Art chatting with guests as a photographer captures the moment and a STARR Restaurants Catering server returns glasses to the kitchen.
Olin’s designed pays homage to the simplicity and complexity of both Paul Philippe Cret and Jacques Greber, the collaborators on the original building of the Rodin museum in 1926
One of the most dramatic changes to the garden is the return of the sculptures that were always meant to be placed there like “The Burghers of Calais” repositioned here in the east garden where it was removed in 1955. Two free standing, life size bronzes, The Age of Bronze and Eve” will be placed in the niches in the front of the building, where they were originally designed to be placed.

Admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of $5 to view the collection. The Rodin Museum is one of the gems along the parkway. They received several hundred visitors a day, but now with the rejuvenation and future projects, especially having the Barnes as a neighbor, I suspect that number will go up. So my suggestion is to go right now to really enjoy the museum at your leisure.
John mans the Rodin Museum gift shop. It’s a snazzy place with lots of info on the museum there.
The larger Thinker sculpture is only $100. There’s snow globes, paper, post-its, books, magnets and posters.
When I was a paralegal I walked by the Rodin to and from my home past the museum.Which reminds me the back path shortcut to Whole Foods, and the Parkway, which used to be a beat up road and dirt, is now a paved pathway for the peeps from Fairmount and North Philly to use. It really does cut off 3 minutes of your walk and is so much prettier than the Wawa and the Precinct.
Anyway, the new grounds are beautiful and I am excited to experience the museum and beauty of the grounds again. I have many photos of the Thinker in every season, as well as the gardens beyond the wrought iron gate, in fact my favorite shot was after an ice storm at sunset and it hangs on my wall in my living room. I have a personal connection with these grounds, and now I am excited to see the results after years of renovations of the Thinker and now the gardens. Walking home, or wandering around it will definitely be a must stop for reflection, reading and catching a few rays. The bad news is after 9/6/11 the museum will close until the Spring of 2012 so that it can undergo a renovation as well as reinterpret the collection. The gardens and grounds will remain open during what would normally be museum hours.

On one very hot Saturday a fashion show took place on chestnut Street with the following designers:

The Art Institute and Iconz Talent Agency present to you it’s first

annual fashion show, The Heart of Fashion.

Tristan, Urban Romance, Kharisma McIlwaine, CBS 3/The CW Philly 57, Aja Chavis, Wildfire Publicist (Happy recent birthday!!) and Joell Amber,

Some of the proceeds of show will be rolled into a scholarship that will assist 2 aspiring design students to continue their education. “Our goal is to serve as a platform for the up and coming designers in the Philadelphia market for not just this year but years to come,” says Kevin Stone, student of The Art Institute.

Dean Ashley, Student Relations Director of the Art Institute of Philadelphia adds “We are really excited at the opportunity to showcase our students and with this fashion show, we will be able to help others learn the principles and theories beyond their designs and that… is The Heart of Fashion.”













Waheedah WHY PR and Odessa

One of my favorite designers of late is Camelita Couture. She never disappoints with

color, style and cut. She’s adorable too.

Square 1682 Executive Chef Guillermo Tellez (on left)was inspired by his Maltese/Yorkie mix, Milee, to develop a brunch menu for dogs. It launched on June 25.
Doggie Style and its local rescue arm, Operation Ava, will be partnering with Square 1682, bringing shelter and rescue dogs to each week’s brunch, for a little exposure, as well as a doggie kissing booth that will benefit Operation Ava. (Marilyn S D’Angelo)
Every Saturday throughout the Summer, you and your furry friends can have brunch at the tables along side Square 1682

Kendra Kubala with Cody
Anna Schneider – Doggie dishes are priced at just $4 and are all served with a bowl of filtered Natura water as well as an organic treat from Doggie Style, a local boutique pet supply chain.
Humans are allowed to eat, too. Enjoy $10 bottomless mimosas and Wild Huckleberry Pain Perdu. Pups enjoy an array of beef stew, beef tartare and “Mexican” dog-friendly dishes, served with a crisp side of Natura filtered water and an organic Doggie Style dog biscuit. Fun fact: each dish is named after a Square 1682 staffer’s pet.
Mark and Danya Henninger, and Mikoto
BYOD Brunch at Square 1682
When: Saturdays beginning this weekend, June 25
Where: 121 S. 17th Street
Cost: Pay as you go; dog dishes are $4 each
More info: www.square1682.com (UWISHUNU)

Just a bunch of thoughts, info and pictures in this entry:Tourist please sit down.and wear shoes too. This is Philly not the beach. I’m saying this for your own good.
Speaking about the beach, Audrina Patridge and her BMX biker boyfriend Corey Bohan seem to have things back on track. Saturday night they partied partied at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey with party promoter Mike Fazio, of Fazio Producations. This Friday check out his fashion show with Aci Nae (South Philly) which will be held at the pool at Harrahs
Tonight at Arrow Swim Club it’s Splash: Industry Tuesday’s @ Arrow Swim Club Please join 3 Nerds LLC, every Tuesday starting July12th for – SPLASH: Industry Tuesdays @ Arrow Swim Club. NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED, $5 entry fee. Please provide proof of employment at any restaurant, bar, nightclub etc. (And you can swim. I certainly will be making it over there to grab a few shots, who wants to go?)
Yesterday I was in Rittenhouse Square. Lately it’s been looking more like Haight Ashbury. I thought it was announced at the Ball this year there would be a park ranger about.
Phillies Financial Day with Shane Victorino, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley was hugely successful. Next up for these folks is the Ryan Howard Celebrity Server night at Morton’s on July 21, 2011 (Same night as PhillyChitChat’s 4th Anniversary Party at Opa. 1hr open bar, food & me. Please send me your email the first 50 people I will put on the invite list. Subject 4th Anniversary.) Also 8/11/11 is the Hamels Foundation Diamond and Denin Gala. (Seriously it’s almost sold out. I think this year is going to be spectacular. G-N Kang has been working tirelessly to create a night of memories.)
Sherry Tickets is leaving Philadelphia after 65 years. You can still order tickets online or over the phone from them. Or visit them at their Wilmington Store.
Here’s a shot Inside Edition sent me (They do that randomly). Perez Hilton says: Over the weekend, Nadya “Octo-Mom” Suleman and her brood of 2-year-olds flew from New York City to Los Angeles. For those of you who don’t know, that’s a 6+ hours flight, which would drive a parent with one child absolutely insane, let alone eight. So there Nadya is, with eight kids in business class, all of them screaming their heads off. The flight has ben delayed two hours and this woman just can NOT quiet her children. The wails and screams of her children started to disrupt the other passengers, including 3rd Rock from the Sun star Kristen Johnston. After enduring the children for an hour or so, she marched over to the Octo-mom and demanded she keep her kids in check. Octo scream what would you do, which Kristen responded, get more help.Hmm calamari & pizza at Serafina at Rittenhouse. It was good. The restaurant was PACKED. I’m a little deaf now though, but with all that delicious food there was a lot to say. I can’t wait for cooler weather to have the windows open. Lots of good people peeping: Bethann Platt, Kate Wilhelm, Mark Focht and the lovely hostess Courtney Grant were in the house.After dinner Maria Papadakis and I took a stroll along Rittenhouse Row and ran into a whole bunch of people. Tim Lucey, Erin Elmore (On the eve of her trip to Croatia), Nina Tinari (Just got back from Aspen), Sabrina Tamburino-Thorne (Is somewhere different every weekend), Michael Schulson, Aly Green, and Maria. See everyone Thursday at Philadelphia Style Magazine’s Hot List Party.

Zarwin, Baum hosted a cocktail reception on Wednesday, June 22 to welcome Shareholder Darwin Beauvais to the Zarwin family. The event was attended by over 125 clients, close friends and local politicians.

Darwin concentrates his practice in zoning and land use, as well as local government affairs. As part of his practice, he works closely with elected officials and municipal agencies for the benefits of clients.
Prior to coming to the firm, he was legislative counsel to the Majority Leader of Philadelphia’s City Council.
In addition, Mr. Beauvais is one of the few attorneys in the region who is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, or “LEED® AP,” which qualifies him as having a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles.
Darwin and Kim Beauvais have two children and live in Philadelphia.
Abe Dialle, Shelly Hollingsworth and Giuffre Hollingsworth
Harris and Iris Olen
Lou Linsley, Floss Barber and Patrick McGrath
Mickey McLaughlin, Lissette Gonzalez, Norman Zarwin and Seth Williams
Aida Starta and Stacey Kracher

Steve Lloyd, Maria Quattrone and Jimmy Melasecca
B*Smith Catering prepared a delicious spread for the guests
Mary Pat Kessler, District Attorney Seth Williams and Kelly Boyd, KB Consultants. Happy birthday Mary Pat!
Carol and Nino Tinari with in the green shirt the next City Council District 6 (D) Bob Henon
Harriet Lessy, Shariff Street, Salaam Muslim and
Mary Pat Kessler, Darwin and Kim Beauvais and councilwomen Blondell Reynolds-Brown
Brad and Crystal El of Boaz and Ruth. Stylish and snazzy, don’t you think?
Bill Hart, David Oh, Herb Reid Jr and Herb Reid III. Mary Pat Kessler, Seth Williams and Kelly Boyd.
About Zarwin, Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, P.C.
(Above with DA Seth Williams)
Zarwin, Baum, DeVito, Kaplan, Schaer & Toddy is a dynamic 50-attorney full service law firm that services Pennsylvania and New Jersey from its four regional offices that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010. The Firm has prospered based on a commitment to provide the highest quality legal service while still maintaining economic efficiency. Bringing years of practical and sophisticated experience to its vast array of practice areas, the firm is able to respond quickly, effectively and efficiently to the needs of its clients.

Eight food carts and trucks competed Saturday at the Vendys, an offshoot of the popular New York City cook-off that started in 2005, at the Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties.
All proceeds benefit The Food Trust, a local non-profit striving to improve the nutrition of under-privileged children and adults.
a sold out crowd of 500 peeps showed up to the first annual event in Philly. Other such events have been held in NYC for over 11 years, and just started in LA last year.
Guru of Quizzo Johnny Goodtimes was the Emcee (2nd from left) with guests including Guru of Food Arthur Etchells, Foobooz, Michelle Cassidy, goddess of Yelp and Jessica Yuspely
By the way if you were wondering what that lady’s hair with the cool red white and blue mohawk hair on July 4th would look like a week later, see above.
People watching: Food loving judges. What did Michael Solomonov give Jen Carroll & Drew Lazor?
A Goose: James Beard “Best Chef, MidAtlantic 2011″ winner, Chef Michael Solomonov is the executive chef at Zahav, Philadelphia’s renowned modern Israeli restaurant looks well rested now, but his wife is due to give birth any day, Drew Lazor, the food editor at the Philadelphia City Paper aand my bud 10 Arts Chef Jen Carroll.
Remember the guy who was first in line at Krispy Kreme a few weeks ago well he’s working for Sweet Box now. He tells me he is enjoying his weekly dozen, shares them with friends and the homeless. Sweet Box won best dessert. Sweet!!
These hats are still popular, just sayin
The Vendy’s were one of the most covered events in recent history since Burger Brawl. Today there will be at least a bakers dozen of blogs & news stories with photos and stories from the Vendy Awards.
The Phillies were on the big screen, which was right above the stage. There was great entertainment on the stage including
Mayor Nutter is almost in as many places as I am. I think he finally knows my name.
flat top
turf
Yelp it was hot out
but stylin was still happening
Mohammed and Freddy – winner of NYC’s Vendy Awards for their truck: Kings of Falafel.
Ann Vuong is giving two thumbs up to
Gigi and Big R’s soul food truck which took home the city’s first-ever Vendy Award. Here a few of the mainstays from the grill are being enjoyed by Allie Harcharek and Mikey Il. Check out his shots from the event here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeyil/5920631919/in/photostream

Last night I attended the opening of the 17th Annuat TLA Entertainment QFest 2011

Over 100 films will be screened at the Old City Ritz theaters over the next 11 days.

Yesterday PCC celebrated it’s 4th Anniversary. One of the first events I covered was the GLBT film festival and it really opened the doors that lead me to where I am today. It’s where I met Philadelphia Inquirer’s Michael Klein at a reception which lead to my photos being in his column for the next 3 years until he retired that column earlier this year. Today I went to the launch of his new site today of his new site Philly.com/Food. It was a huge success with 4 local chefs and proceeds benefiting Philabundance, MANNA, and The Food Trust. Also there was his wife Jen, who is expecting their first child or two in a few months. Above DJ Marilyn Russell from 95.7 BEN FM checks for rain at the VIP cocktail party which was held before the kick off of the night.
At the party was actor Charlie David, who was in the opening night film “Judas”. You might remember Charlie from his last visit in 2007 to promote two of his films “Kiss The Bride” and “Four Letter Word”
Sean Paul Lockhart was also on hand. Not only was he in last nights opening movie, but he is receiving this years Rising Star Award. They call him the Tracy Lord of gay film making, as he was a very popular porn actor and it was later discovered that he was only 17 when he made some of his first movies.
Then it was off to the theater..
Mayor Nutter came by and read a proclamation. Here he is with the cast of Judas Kiss. Director J.T. Tepnapa directs a very talented cast including Charlie David (Mulligans, Kiss the Bride, Dante’s Cove), Sean Paul Lockhart (Another Gay Sequel, Milk, I was a Teenage Werebear) and Richard Harmon (“The Killing”)
Ben FM win a car, listen everyday

Gloria Casarez, Donald Carter and Kelly Burkhardt,
Marilyn Russell Introduces the opening night film Judas. Many of the films are playing two or three times for your convenience

Then it was off to the 33rd floor of the Loews for another fabulous partywith hot hot GLBT peeps including
Carol Coombes, Managing Director of Philadelphia QFest, Claire Kohler, QFest Managing Partner, Claire Kohler says there’s something for everyone this year at the festival.
PhillyGayCalendar is covering ever aspect of the festival. They have great videos and shots of all the action every day.

Center front: Joe’l Ludovich is an award-winning producer and film maker. She currently teaches at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, filmmaker Tiona McClodden, the writer and director of the highly-acclaimed full length documentary, black./womyn and Professional Blogger and Social Media Manager LeAnne Lindsay
Natalie Hope McDonald, Freelance writer as well as the editor of G Philly, a new series of blogs from Philadelphia magazine. and Meg Rider.
Check this link for more pictures taken Opening Night at QFest as well as throughout the week Online Album

Since writing last week about Kokopelli, a few things occurred, I’ve had a few meetings with the owner and also the new gm Eddie Rios and have a better understanding of the new direction I mentioned in my blog post, one being the grand opening of their new club KIVA LOUNGE at the 1904 Chestnut Street address tonight.

You’ll recall in a few posts I did over the year, they have held several events in the upstairs club area including the CCTC sponsor party, various charity events and special happy hours. But the club was never branded, often being referred to as the club upstairs, and it was never fully utilized. Now it’s going to and in a big way as it will be named Kiva Lounge and be open every Tuesday through Saturdays with DJ’s providing music to groove by from 10PM til 2AM. Eddie tells me look for Top 40s on the weekend, and special nights during the week like Latin Night etc. At some point on Monday’s there will be an industry night too. The Tequila Bar on the first floor serves appetizers until 1AM

Tonight – FRIDAY JULY 8TH 2011
Wiggle Productions & Hidden Dimension Present:

GRAND OPENING KIVA LOUNGE with Superstar DJ: JUNIOR SANCHEZ-(BROBOT/X-MIX PRODUCTIONS/NYC)
http://soundcloud.com/juniorsanchez
World-renowned DJ-producer Junior Sanchez hardly needs an introduction. Like his friends Erick Morillo and Harry “Choo Choo” Romero, Sanchez was bred in New Jersey’s seminal ’90s Latin house scene. He started out spinning at legendary NYC hotspots like Limelight and the Shelter. These days he has risen high above the underground to become one of the most recognizable DJ names in the international scene, remixing artists such as Madonna, Shakira, Placebo, and countless others.

DEEP C-(Tigerhook/FOH/ROC)
http://soundcloud.com/djdeepc1 (I love these sound clouds)
One of Philly’s most well known names in the dance music scene. Chris has steadily risen from his days in the early 1990s with the renowned Wamdue Kids to his current place as one of the city’s most consistent party rockers.

DJ FREEDOM-(Wiggle Productions/Undaground Set)
https://www.facebook.com/djfreedom
As a House music fanatic and veteran dj DJ Freedom began his record spinning journey in the early 90s.

DJ ELEVATION-(BSP)
http://bsp.org/djsproducers/dj-elevation/

KIVA Lounge 1904 Chestnut St.- Located above Kokopelli Philadelphia PA 19103 215.557.7510 9pm – 2am $10 Before Midnight Menu Until 1am Guest List & Bottle Service Info Contact: 856.571.7205

Sound Reinforced by A.T.E.
Lasers by BSP.org Live broadcast on bsp.org Sound Function Friday’s

(I’m still pulling for me Oldies night. Calling Jerry Blavet are you there?)

*************

Update on the Opening of Kokopelli restaurant.
Kokopelli will re-emerge on Monday August 1. The menu will be similar as the one before (Southwestern) but gone will be the concept of tapas and in it’s place will be a 3 course menu with “bigger portions at a better value”, GM Eddie Rios tells me. The restaurant hours will be Tu – Sat 5 – 10PM, with a Happy hour in the Tequila Bar from 5PM – 7PM. Plus there will be a late night “Happy Hour” menu served in the Tequila Lounge until 1AM.