Philly Chit Chat

PhillyChitChatter: Celebrity Sightings in and around Philadelphia:

Last week was busy, busy, busy with celebrities making appearances in the Philly area.
I stopped by Sigma Sound Studios earlier in the week to catch the action of the new Charles Dutton (“Roc,” “Get On the Bus”) movie he’s filming in our area. You’ll recall the last time he did a film in town it was called “The Gift” back in 2009. Then last fall I photographed him eating at Rouge on Rittenhouse Square. His new movie is called “Must Be the Music,” and also stars Rockefella Records Recording artist: Jadakiss, Tariq Trotter of Recording group, The ROOTS, Atlanta Housewives star, Lisa Wu, Recording Artist Trina and recording artist Recording Artist Pleasure P. Filming continues this week at Sigma sound and (Above: Roz Fulton, Casting Director, Charles Dixon, Madison Hunter and Shonse Hawkins. with the tiger eyes.)then will resume on the streets of Philly in the first week of May in the Italian Market, and at Broad and Spruce.
Rebecca Minkoff was at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd on Thursday for a meet and greet. Her full Spring 2011 Collection exclusively at the store. With Gail Slogoff, Jen Abrams and Damian Oto of Saks; Rebecca has now created a men’s collection that is also sold at Sak’s: Designing Ben Minkoff, named in honor of her grandfather a WWII fighter pilot, was a natural next step for me. We had an abundance of requests to create a men’s line and felt it was the right time to introduce the collection to our customers.” I love the bags myself. In the above picture she’s preparing to sign a baseball that will be auctioned off at the Hamels Foundation Diamonds & Denim Event on August 11 at the Crystal Tea Room.
Charlie Sheen’s “My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option Tour,” made a stop at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City Saturday night. A handful of my friends wasted their money going, and for the most part hated the show. Except for my buddy G-N Kang who brought Jon and Julie Dorenbos with her for a backstage meet and greet. Sporting a Shane Victorino Phillies Jersey that Sheen traded for his “Duh, Winning” T-Shirt, Sheen started by telling the crowd of the victorious tour he has had had already, except for Detroit. During his show at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, Sheen called up on stage comedian/roast master Jeffrey Ross. And by all accounts, Ross was the funniest part of the show. Ross cracked, “I’m used to roasting classier people like Flava Flav and Courtney Love. After the show, Ross tweeted that he “considered roasting @charliesheen a public service.” It’s the most bizarre time when Charlie Sheen and his crazy can go on tour for the world to see. If only Anna Nicole Smith thought of this…Also down the shore Carson Kressley stopped by one of my favorite breakfast places Teplitzky’s at the Chelsea Hotel for breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday. Look for Carson to be in the Philadelphia area on May 7 for the sixth annual Black Tie and Boots Ball at Bryn Clovis, Brushwood Farm in Malvern. The Ball benefits the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Foundation.
Friday Eagles tight end Brent Celek will be selecting the menu for his upcoming “Top of the Town Tasting” fundraiser event on June 13th. Brent will be joined by the Loews Executive Chef, Tom Kriebel and board members from the Take Flight Foundation – Brent’s nonprofit organization that provides opportunities, support and resources to seriously ill and physically challenged children in the Greater Philadelphia area. Brad Waxman, of Southern Wine & Spirits; Jay Devine, Devine & Powers, Tom McAloon, Walmart, Brent Celek, Bernie Shields, M&T Bank, Rick Staub, GM Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Jay Devine and Brent Celek. Brent was telling me GN & I that he wasn’t in love with the design of the sign on the outside of his new bar, 879. I said why don’t you create a sign using the colors & type set on the Eagles uniform’s that make up yours and fellow Eagles player & co-owner’s Todd Herremans numbers. Brent said sold, he loved that idea. So look for a sign change. Speaking of 879 – Damon Feldman sent out a press release tonight claiming that two of Jersey Shore’s Snookie’s exes, Dennis Figeroua and Jeff Miranda, will meet in a celebrity boxing match at some time in the future, but they’re not listed on the above flyer. What is listed is the current 879 sign because the press conference will be held at 879 this Wednesday. You’ll also meet TV Star from Bay Watch and upcoming Celebrity Rehab on VH-1 Jeremy Jackson will be Celebrity Referee and available for pix and auto graphs. All the action starts at 7:45PM.

On Wednesday, April 13 (BTW Happy Birthday Dad, miss you), Friends of Luxe Home Philadelphia and the Center City Opera Theater enjoyed cocktails and French cheeses while listening to a sneak preview for Danse Russe, an original opera commissioned for the 2011 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. The party was well attended by fans of Opera, people in the arts and longtime customers of the store, and featured delicious food, several pop-up aria performances, and a special PIFA preview of world premiere opera “Danse Russe”,

Katelyn Goodman and Sarah Connors
Rhoda and Joseph Ilustre, Buzz Lefelman, Jian Chen and Krista Hafler
Gloria Esposito, Laurel Fairworth, Bethann Platt, Jan Reisner
The world premiere of a new one-act, vaudeville-style opera, Danse Russe, with music by Pulitzer-prize winning composer Paul Moravec, based on an original libretto created by Wall Street Journal drama critic and biographer Terry Teachout. Danse Russe tells the story of the creation of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring through the eyes of its creators: Diaghilev, Nijinsky, Monteux and, of course, Stravinsky. Morelos Deblosi and Robert Deblosi with Baghan Zielinski and Maria Parisi Vicker
Center City Opera Theater strives to: (1) Present opera productions of the highest professional quality, specially conceived for an intimate setting, and featuring newly commissioned works, as well as more traditional operas; (2) Recruit new audiences for opera through the immediacy of these intimate performances, as well as through affordable ticket prices; (3) Provide opportunities for emerging opera professionals (singers, directors & designers) who are becoming known nationally for their excellence; (4) Fill a large and growing void in arts education in the region with comprehensive, onsite educational programs and a wide array of internships.Above: Matt Maness, Chris Lorge, Jason Switzer, Paul Coruju and Jeff JacobsCaroline from the Center City opera performs a solo that will be included at the performance at the Kimmel Center next week. I hear the Perelman Center seats will be arranged in a cabaret setting with tables which is great. I am a huge fan of cabaret and wish Philadelphia had a permanent performance space for cabaret.
Steven Metzo and Maureen Brown

Joy Kurtz, Education director CCOT, Eleanor Levie, Amy Chmielewski, Costume Designer CCOT

Robert Reynolds and Carrie Brescia
Todd Bergman, Christy McTyre, President of Langmore House Interior Design at Langmore design group,LLC. and Andrew Kurtz, General and Artistic Director is founder of the Center City Opera Theater.
Eileen Barbash and Mark Barbash tell me that they furnished most of their house with furniture from Luxe Home. They were falling in love with the couch they were currently sitting on too.
Cristina Motaneri and Brian Petit
Craig Arthur Von Schroeder, Brooke Dillon, Aaron Pierce and Sarah Connors. In a 2009 interview with Philadelphia Inquirers Elizabeth Wellington Craig believed that T-Shirts should not be seen underneath button down shirts, but Saturday I ran into him and he has relaxed on this issue. Aaron marches to the beat of his own style and believes to each his own. I personally have never seen Aaron without a stylish sport jacket, and when asked how many he owns indicated it was a collection that rivals Imelda Marco’s shoes.

Yesterday afternoon I was invited to sit in at the open rehearsal with Questlove and Keren Ann as they prepare for their PIFA concert . The Root’s drummer and American journalist ?Questlove will join forces with French chanteuse Keren Ann for a one-time only performance on April 17th at the Kimmel Center.

The theme for PIFA’s celebration is “Paris: 1910-1920″, a time and place when creative emergencies virally influenced the state and production of creative arts today. In this video Questlove explains how he took a classic song and interpreted it with the current music today. He mentions important it was for him to attend the Philadelphia School of Performing Arts in preparation of his career. Above at the Larry Gold Studios in Center City are bassist and producer Anthony Tidd, producer James Poyser and ?Questlove. Also in the room were Larry Gold, Daniel Felsenfeld, David Murray, and Richard Nicols. Plus a myriad of reporters and bloggers. I always love watching Bobbie Booker from the Philadelphia Tribune, Sarah Glover from the Phila Daily News, Marnie Hall of Philly.com, Jeff Fusco, Getty Images and Laiya Stclair from Buttercup Records, work. I’m really in awe of their talent. Sarah’s multitasking now with both a camera and video, Jeff works with two camera’s and Bobbie and Laiya had great questions for the team.
At the end of the session I ran, literally as it was rush hour and I didn’t see a cab or bus getting me there any quicker at rush hour, to the reception held at The Star Group and hosted by the Pennsylvania Ballet for choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who is here working on a world premiere production with the Pennsylvania Ballet for the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts.
He was as beautiful and charming and the women at the party were swarming him like bees to honey. It’s a good thing his squeeze, the very pregnant Natalie Portman, didn’t accompanying him or she would have been toppled over. I did however hear that she was going to be at the ballet so when I was offered a ticket I quickly ran over to the theater for a glimpse like a giddy school boy. It turned out that she would be attended at intermission so that she wouldn’t cause a stir as she walked in. She would be seated at the back.Well I only wanted to stay til intermission as I had Ryan Dorsey’s birthday party to shoot at midnite & needed a disco nap beforehand. Could I possibly sit in her seats til them? Sure enough that’s what I did. When I left at intermission I saw a commotion and only a few moments after the commotion walked by me did I realize it was Natalie Portman, Benjamin and a few other people I recognized from the cocktail party. That would be my only glimpse for her time here although someone sent me a tip the night before when she was at the rehearsal, but I chose to go to the gym instead. Friday she returned home to NYC and Benjamin left for Russia to work on his next project, this morning. Above L-R: Artistic Director Roy Kaiser (celebrating his 30th year with Pennsylvania Ballet and his 15th as Artistic Director), famed choreographer Benjamin Millepied, Anne Ewers President & CEO of Kimmel Center, Inc, and Michael Scolamiero Executive Director of Pennsylvania Ballet since June 1997. (This is what you would call the money shot.) You can still catch The Pennsylvania Ballet as it honors its Balanchine in Building on Balanchine tonight and Saturday. Info Here.
Also check out:
Gospel Concert – Friday, April 15 @ 6:00. We’re having a free gospel performance in the Kimmel Center Plaza featuring over 200 singers from Enon Baptist Church, a very well known entity in Philadelphia. The singers will be positioned on the tiers of the Kimmel Center.

Remember Paris – Saturday, April 16 @ 3:00pm. This performance is a real collaboration. It features live organ music as the backdrop for two silent actors who re-create pivotal moments in European history in front of a film screen. Very cool! Unfortunately, the program has been marketed as an Organ performance and has not gathered much interest outside of the classical music world.
Thanks to my advertisers this Month: PIFA, The Corner, CTO Band, Arrow Swim Club, Pa Horticultural Society, Del Frisco’s, Kokopelli, The Sporting Club, Karen Gross, Anne Nikolaus Stella Dot Jewelery

Last week you’ll recall that I photographed Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling with Angel Porrino, from E!’s “Holly’s World” at Invincible Pictures in Northern Liberties as they shot a commercial for Flixfling. A few days later he turned up in Atlantic City with another stunning blond, Emily Conner.

Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling tells me that he and Emily went to see Don Rickles at The Borgata Music Box on last Friday night and The O’Jays at The Hilton on Saturday night.

Emily and Jackie with the O’Jays

Last week I attended The Art Gallery at City Hall to celebrate City Hall: The French Connection and the coinciding juried exhibition The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) presented two exhibitions in collaboration with the Kimmel Center for the upcoming citywide event , The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). City Hall: The French Connection, an exhibition of art and artifacts, is an introduction to City Hall’s French Second Empire architectural style. Something French, a juried group exhibition, features artwork with a French flavor. The French Connection exhibit runs from March 14 – May 20, 2011 in the Art Gallery at City Hall (Room 116), and Something French, located on the 1st and 2nd floor display cases NE corner, runs thru June 24th.Below Gary Steuer Chief Cultural Officer for the City of Philadelphia is greeting the packed house.
City Hall Tour Director (Rm 121 for tours), Greta Greenberger and Tu Huynh, City Hall Exhibitions Manager
City of Philadelphia, Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. OMG so embarrassed I told you all months ago I would be volunteering and giving the City Hall tours and you know what I have not had a chance. Working on my blog & doing event photography has kept me so incredibly busy. It’s a blessing, but I was surprised that I wouldn’t be eating bon bons and watching Wendy Williams on the couch in between entries. Oh well hopefully I will get it under control.
The exhibitions in City Hall are a collaborative effort between the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and the arts community. They are supported by an independent City Hall Exhibitions Advisory Committee made up of arts professionals and private citizens. In addition to the art gallery, other public spaces in City Hall feature artwork from Philadelphia’s schools, other city agencies, local non-profits, and community arts organizations on a rotating basis. For more information, visit: www.phila.gov/artincityhall or join us on www.Facebook.com/artincityhall and www.facebook.com/creativephl.
For weeks I have been excited to check out the Julia Child etching which is done in chocolate. So fun.Kari Kristine Scott is the artist and she’s done a little ode to St. Julia:
St. Julia, Show me the wisdom of good, well prepared fresh food eating in moderation. Help me slow my eating down so that I can taste and savor every bite. Allow me to eat rich, buttery and creamy foods as long as I eat them infrequently, slowly and in moderation. – Amen
Joan Smith and Leslie Kaufman served on the City Hall advisory for the art show.
Marilyn MacGregor and Janice Hayes check out some of the glass ware
This is my favorite piece. Participating artists included: Mary Brady Begnardi, Lisa C. Budd, Carl Frankel, Ellen Gavin, Janice Hayes-Cha, George R. Johnson, Jennifer Lipman-Bartel, Rob Lybeck, Anthony Masucci, Anne Saint Peter, Ron Tarver and Alexander Trejo.
Ellen Carlson and Patricia Gunter were excited to participate in many of the PIFA events.
Colleen Branch stands in front of her work. be sure to check out the show. Enter City Hall at the Northern corner and check in at the front desk where they will give you a visitors pass.
This feature is brought to you with the support of PIFA (Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts). If you’re interested in the events, and want to help ensure that PIFA becomes an annual event please Like their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter!

Every year the incoming membership of the Junior League of Philadelphia hosts a gala fundraiser, this year the membership decided to do something different and host its first annual Green Carpet Event: an eco-friendly fashion show featuring the latest fashion trends at the Piazza in Northern Liberties. Proceeds support their signature focus Project GREEN: Using Nature to Nurture. The idea was superb and I know that a lot of work went into the project, but mother nature did not cooperated and it was freezing; There was an open bar and everyone seemed to want a hot toddy at the same time.
There were sponsor vendors surrounding the perimeter of the event including Duke & Winston’s Seun Olubodun
Mary Ortiz and Rosa Martinez. I had to break it to them that there was no tent and that should pick up a pair of pants at one of the clothiers at the Piazza.
these two peeps are fashionably warm for this freezing cold night: Kelsey Clark & Rebekha Kocak sporting a JLMurfee $118 Lilly Pulitzer
Kaitlin Stadelman and Tara Stitchberry try their luck at the raffle
Check out those shoes, that’s what drew me to Jessica Carroll with her blue suede shoes. With her is Nicole Wiley.
Lately I’ve been running into these two ladies, they’re big fans of Table 31’s Thursday night’s Ladies Night party, check it out tonight, it’s Rachel Branson, Esq. and Quinette Roberson.
Hot, but then again brrrr at the same time as the models wore designs from: Arcadia Boutique, Priscilla of Boston, Lilly Pulitzer, The Junior League Thrift Shop, Whitney Eve, Onassic Clothing LLC, Sagets Mens Formal Wear.
Sexy and walking at 30 MPH
Dressed for the evening: DJ and Anne Nikolaus
Definitely Lilly Pulitzer
Ought oh fruit of the loom peeking above the pant line. I guess this is the preppy rapper boxer look. Please make it stop, this underwear peeking out. Let’s make everyone think we’re going commando.
It wouldn’t be a Jr League event without a little pink, complimenting couple colors.
I love this dress with the silver belt

Dress for fashion in the freeze
One of the fun things was the models were members or member friends of the Jr League, so there was a lot of support from the audience.
I let out an audible gasp cause I was not a fan of this dress. Who would wear it? I said.
Haley Hill piped up that she loved it and would wear it in a second. So I am not the purveyor of taste, thank god.
Love this smartly dressed couple
Amber Goins on the catwalk
The Junior League of Philadelphia is one of the leading community service organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area, with a diverse membership contributing a range of personal and professional experiences. It offers tested and groundbreaking programs that focus on the intersection of wellness and the natural environment. Programs are developed to have maximum impact, using experts in the field and innovative partnerships.
It was good to see my buds Matt Carter and my smartest friend Andrew “Currently in Harvard getting my MBA” Rosenthal. Looking forward to his return to Philly when he’s finished.

Although the new Modern Greek restaurant-bar, Opa located at 1311 Sansom Street, seating about 70 people, has been opened for nearly two months, receiving rave reviews. But they held their Grand Opening on Monday night. It was hot, not only outside but the guests they gathered inside. The word “opa” is a traditional Greek exclamation of glee, used to express the carefree aura that embodies the Greek spirit. Owners, brother-sister team, George Tsiouris and Vasiliki Tsiouris with Garden Wellington-Logan and Noel Zayas
Breaking plates is also an act which implies abundance – “We have so many plates we can break them!” – similar to lighting a fire with a piece of paper money. Thom Cardwell breaks a plate for luck.
Vasiliki Tsiouris on left is joined by her parents Efthimios Tsiouris, Chrisoula Tsiouris, and Aunt Fani Zarvalas.

DJ Rahsaan – Afrotaino Productions
Allison McClellan, Erica Boland, Brett Coppol and Michelle Boyles, SouthPhillyPhasionista.com
Gloria Casarez and Louie Ortiz
George Tsiouris and Vasiliki Tsiouris with the Hamels Foundation G-N Kang
Opa’s appetizing menu includes traditional family recipes finessed and plated to contemporary standards. Among the mezedes include Gyros, served slider-style with grilled lamb, yogurt sauce, cucumber, onion and tomato; Octopus, cured, grilled and plated with a chickpea fondue and chili oil; and Zimi, a baked pita filled with feta cheese. Mezedes range in price from $3 to $14.
Matthew Vlahos, Lynsie Solomon, Jimmy Contreras and Evan Solomon
Karen Gross and Mike Donohue. Karen is at the Tin Angel on 4/22 to showcase her cabaret show. Also Eddie Bruce will be on the bill that evening.
Fashionista’s Ultimate Glam bloggers: Tiffany Dawson and Amber Hankins.
Francesca Rivetti, Zivile Pupinyte, Elena Brennan, Bus Stop, Ivy Glass and Patty Gilson
Executive Chef Andrew Brown has been cooking professionally for 20 years and his culinary philosophy is based on simple freshness. Celebrated designer Jun Aizaki (who did many of the Garces restaurants), transformed the formerly vacant space on Sansom Street with the Tsiouris’. ”We wanted to challenge how people generally associate Greek restaurants in terms of concept and design by creating a global platform for Greek cuisine that is both authentic and modern,” says Aizaki. The colors and decor reflect the Mediterranean sea.

PhillyChitChatter:

Philadelphia is buzzing this month, especially with the busy festival season under way ie The Philadelphia International Festival of Arts, The Philadelphia Library Festival and tomorrow as the Philadelphia Cinefest festival ends the Philadelphia Science Festival kicks off.
And at the end of the month, specifically Saturday April 30 get your party clothes & comfortable shoes out HughE as I will be running all over town to cover a few choice events. During the day there’s the PIFA Street Fair on Broad Street from Noon til 8:30PM, at the same time down in South Philly enjoy the Springtime weather and some delicious Philadelphia fare at Flavors of the Avenue. Celebrating some of South Philly’s best food and drink spots, the event showcases over 20 businesses all offering samples of their signature dishes and drinks under the cover of a big top tent. In the evening there’s First Lady of Philadelphia’s Lisa Nutter event. She’s the President and the Philadelphia Academies, Inc. PARTY LIKE A SUPERHERO – APRIL 30, 2011 at the Loews Hotel at 6PM. This year’s honoree’s Daniel K. Fitzpatrick and Citizens Bank, and our Honorary Chairs, Susan Taylor (former Editor of Essence Magazine), Wes Moore (author of New York Times bestseller – The Other Wes Moore) and Steve Powers, graphic artist, for one of the best fundraisers of the spring season. Finally Please Touch Museum’s annual Storybook Ball, which I have attended twice in past years, and I love. A night of fantasy with kids and parents all dressed up as their favorite character.

The Shane Victorino Foundation has teamed up with charitybuzz to auction off a Phillies fan experience you’ll never forget! The winning bidder and three guests will enjoy dinner with Shane Victorino, plus tickets to a Phillies game, complete with meet-and-greet before the game. Click on the link below for details and happy bidding!Sports Illustrated Cover Girl Irina Shayk at Borgata showing off her assets before hosting mur.mur on Saturday night with music by DJ Jesse Marco.
Also down the Shore, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling tells me that he and Emily Conner went to see Don Rickles at The Borgata Music Box on Friday night and The O’Jays on Saturday night. “After Don’s show we went back to his dressing room and met the legendary Tony O, Don’s closest guy. Don knows me and heard I was in the crowd. He said, “:Not working on a Friday, Jackie? Tell your agent there’s this great new invention…the phone.”

In 2001 I gave Les Paul a joke that he used every night from then until he passed on in June 2009. It’s perfect for Don, so I gave it to him.

“I tried that Viagra. Now I feel like a condemned building with a new flagpole.”
Big Brother Casting Agent Holds Open Call at CBS 3 This Friday
Big Brother is searching for television’s next reality star, and the show is bringing its search to Philadelphia to look for ideal housemates for Season 13. Big Brother Senior Casting Producer Tedd Schermerhorn is coming to Philadelphia on Friday, April 15, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. to interview candidates. The casting call will be held at CBS 3 studios, 1555 Hamilton Street (entrance on 16th Street between Callowhill and Spring Garden Streets) in Philadelphia.
Participants will get two minutes to tell Big Brother why they think they would make the ultimate housemate. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, 21 years or older, have a completed official application (available on http://www.cbsphilly.com), two pictures of themselves (one face and one full body), a copy of their birth certificate or social security card and a copy of a state-issued license or ID. Big Brother is the hit CBS reality television show that follows a group of people living together in a large house who are continuously watched by television cameras 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each series tapes for approximately three months and consists of 12-15 participants in the household. In the end, the housemates try to win a cash prize of $500,000 by avoiding periodic evictions from the house.