Good Monday morning. I hope you had a fantastic weekend. It seems a bit cooler this spring, but the beautiful colors have inspired all of us to go out and enjoy the day. Folks have been writing me to ask what is currently being built on the Art Museum Steps, it’s The Philadelphia Show (4/29 – 5/1)
Guess who I just met todayyyy! Rupert Grint (aka Ron Weasley) from “Harry Potter”! He’s gonna be in town for a little while cuz he’s filming a new movie. So, I was at the zoo, checking out the red pandas and all of a sudden, him, his girlfriend, and their baby were right next to me, checking out the red pandas too! I saw Rupert and I thought to myself “No. freaking. way. Rupert Grint’s actually here! And he’s right next to me!” (Instagram)
Rupert Grint has been in town for a bit of time filming M Night’s popular Apple TV series Servant, which is filming it’s final season, season 4. I just finished watching season 3 on Apple and am shook, can’t wait for season 4. Night has stopped production on Servant at episode 6 to begin filming his new movie “Knock at the Cabin”, starring Grint, Dave Bautista and Nikki Amuka-Bird. He will resume filming Servant in mid summer I was told, where he will film at his custom studio in Garnett Valley as well as on location on the 2100 block of Spruce Street. As I wrote on my Instagram 3/16/22, filming for Knock at the Cabin will be done in the Philly area, as well as in South NJ my sources tell me.
Say it ain’t so. Shakespeare & Co. has lost it lease and is now looking for space? What a unique bookstore. Sad to see it has to move. With all the empty store fronts the landlord couldn’t work on keeping them here? Such nice owners and staff too. Hope they find a suitable location.
Noelle Palazzo Burg, HughE Dillon, Lauren Conlon, Sue Jacquette, Kristin Daly, Kristyn Aldrich and Scott Brown participated in the CITRs Dancing for Character Charity Dance last month. The amateur dancers took time from their busy schedules as ace real estate brokers, student, moms, and entrepeneurs to learn to dance at the Danza Dancing Studio in order to seem like “stars” on the dance floor, and I’d have to say all of us succeeded.
Clay Hamlin is the CEO and co-founder of CITRS, as well as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Character. Its mission is of comprehensive character development. CITRS partners with school districts and youth organizations to develop character-centered environments where students thrive ethically, socially and academically and provides resources and tools to educators and organizations to help urban youth be successful in life.
The event was held at Cescaphe’s Vie on North Broad. They always do a great job with production and food.
Brendan & Tessa Petersen,Michael & Suzanne Bracci
Molly & Joe Dickerson
Karen Cox and Jen Su with Illustrator Denise Fike
Josianne Legare and Stacy Distefano
Chris Smith,Heidi Kivi,Maureen Burling,Stephanie Jacquette, Layla Peterson
Nichole Davis Moore, Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid Penn Vet and ,Nichelle Davis Ahmaddiya, Chief Operating Officer of CITRS
Fundraising is a hard thing to do. Kudo’s to Lynsie Feinberg on the tremendous job she did producing this event. She did an excellent job while managing so many movable pieces, and a pandemic as the planning for this event began in 2019..
Lauren Conlon
Stephen and Sylvia Fineberg
Chris Smith,Heidi Kivi,Maureen Burling,Stephanie Jacquette, Layla Peterson
Thanks to this crew for coming out to support me, as well as a few others who were camera shy, and those who donated and couldn’t be there. I appreciate it so much.
Thanks to PhillyChitChat team member: Andre Flewellen for photographing the event. It was sooooo hard for me not to shoot an event I attended, but he of course did a fantastic job capturing everyone and the elements.
There was a Tie for Winning Dance: Noelle Palazzo Burg and Sue Jacquette,
An Easter tradition returned to South Philadelphia for the first time since the start of the pandemic Sunday April 17, 2022, drawing hundreds of people excited to enjoy the festivities. The South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) returned with its 89th Annual Easter Promenade! Hundreds dressed up in their Sunday best, took photos with the Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail and grabbed delicious bites at some of South Street’s iconic restaurants.
The Easter Promenade, known for the extravagant Easter costumes, was led by Henri David, the fantastical Master of Ceremonies, also known for his exuberance and particular skill in throwing the most magnificent parties. The promenade hosted contests for people of all ages who wanted to dress up for the occasion. All contestants received an Easter bag with delicious goodies thanks to Frankford Candy. Nearly 200 infants, children, families and pets entered the contest for categories such as Best Dressed Family, Best Dressed Pet, Best Bonnet, and Best South Street Razzle Dazzle.
The Promenade ended at the new Headhouse Plaza (2nd and Lombard Streets) for the contest judging. The contestants of the Easter Promenade’s best dressed contest were judged by South Street business owners and friends such as Shannon Maldonado, Owner of Yowie on S. 4th Street, a SSHD business, Monica Monique, Owner of Oxymoron Fashion House on S. 4th Street, a SSHD business, Mark Squilla, Councilman of City Council’s First District, P.A. House Representative Mary Isaacson, and Jillian Pirtle, a Vocalist, Actress, and TV Personality.
Best Dressed Girl (Ages 6-10) – Lake Bryant-Pressley
Best Easter Bonnet – Terry Gsell and Luis Martinez
Hello readers, this past week I started a new series on Instagram “What Philly Wore” , which has turned out to be fairly popular. I was thinking on Fridays or Saturday I will post some of my favorite shots of What Philly Wore on ChitChat. I love the photo above. I stopped by the newly opened Van Leeuwen Ice Creamspot near Rittenhouse Square. Fox 29’s Good Day Alex Holley was “celebrating” her birthday with a namesake ice cream flavor, lavender birthday cake, probably not the official name but what I was tasting. It was delicious. The photo above are people waiting to come inside, with Sofia Pignitor, Cashman & Associates looking on (left).
How wonderful: One of the first photos I shot was this person walking down the street with angel wings on. If that wasn’t a sign of success, I don’t know what is…
If you write me like this young man, I will send you your photo….
A neatly and stylishly dressed man can be described as dapper.
Shoe Power with orange accent hair
These two didn’t know each other before I took this photo, but they do have similar taste. (WDAS Women of Excellence)
We are less than one month away from the second annual AACR Day of Giving. Save the date for May 6 as the entire AACR community comes together to raise critical funds for cancer research. Visit the link in our bio and help us reach our goal of 250 donors by donating. #researchsaveslives
The filming of a commercial in Rittenhouse Square. Not sure if it was part of the big production filmed in No Libs and Old City earlier this week, but thanks to my readers for tipping me off.
At the Young Friends Soiree at Barnes Foundation Thursday 4/14/22: Trell and Jus Rome
Never too much to wear something that makes others go wow. I wish I wasn’t running so late to dinner to meet Brandon Szeker at Mixto (hadn’t been there in a decade, still as delicious as ever), cause we all want to know where was she going dressed like this on a Tuesday night. She had just paid for parking.
What are you doing for dinner this weekend, how about Louie Louie
Two shereos who save lives through their work: Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress, activist and part time Philly resident who’s been married to Sen. Vincent Hughes for nearly 20 years (2005) and Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors COVID19 Consortium both were honored at the WDAS Women of Excellence luncheon.
Tulip Season
Thank You: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society planted 70,000 bulbs in Philadelphia’s iconic Logan Square this past fall season which are now reaching their peak bloom. They will wrap this iconic Philadelphia location in a beautiful array of rainbow colors, welcoming the spring season. These blooms are now at their peak and are expected to retain their beauty (depending on weather) through April 22, 2022.
The University of the Arts held a reception to showcase the Art Unleashed 2022 at the Art Alliance on Rittenhouse Square last month. Thanks to the UArts students, alumni, staff and faculty whose work was showcased as part of the four day sale. The artwork sold from this sale directly benefited the presenting artist and will further enhance the student experience at the University of the Arts.
Jeff Lutsky, Co-Chairman/Managing Partner, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP and Jud Aaron, Board of Trustees for the University of the Arts
Founded by artists in 1915 and located in the former Wetherill Mansion on Rittenhouse Square, the Philadelphia Art Alliance is considered one of the first multidisciplinary art spaces in the U.S. Its remarkable legacy includes presenting the work of visionary writers, composers, dancers, musicians, sculptors and architects from Igor Stravinksy to Gertrude Stein to Diego Rivera, among many other luminaries.
Vivian Gast, Bill Gast and Meredith Lutsky
Ralph Citino, Raj Tewari and Lawrence Taylor
Michael Cooke, Hollis Dana and Tyler Wilson
University of the Arts students entertained at the cocktail reception
UArts is a private university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,662 undergraduate students
President David Yager, president and CEO of uArts, Shaina Hamilton and Nat Hamilton
If you’re looking for a truly original theater experience, we have the festival for you! The Polyphone Festival of New and Emerging Musicals is a nationally recognized collaboration between UArts students and theater professionals from Philadelphia and beyond. Four fresh productions make up this exciting event, and tickets are selling fast! Don’t miss your chance to see these inspired plays April 12–17, 2022. Learn more and get tickets here: https://bit.ly/3jvYPrn
Hello my friends. I am slowly catching up, and you will see your photo/event soon. Life is great. I’m having a good time looking for my balance. Check out this fun event I covered over the weekend.
A sold out, fashionable, excited to be together once again group of women came out for the The 6th annual WDAS-FM Women of Excellence Luncheon, Saturday April 9th at Live! Hotel & Casino (900 Packer Avenue, Philadelphia).
There was shopping, and networking. Mingling and catching up. The ladies brought the fashion, and it was beautiful!!
These two got a kick out of twining, they didnt know each other but loved one anothers taste.
Award-winning actress, singer, author, and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph received the inaugural “WDAS-FM 2022 Women of Excellence Legend Award.” Ms. Ralph is married to Sen. Vincent Hughes, 7th Senatorial District in Pennsylvania and splits her time between Philadelphia and LA, where she is currently starring in the hit TV series Abbott Elementary. Her speech to the audience touched on many issues, stressing that women do not have to settle with what society tells them to accept. Strive for your excellence!! Also “you are in control of your health”, now more than ever the doctors aren’t as concerned. You can eat healthy, you don’t have to accept diabetes as a way of life. Exercise, etc. Live longer. She also said bad things happen, life is sometimes troubled, things don’t always go your way, but it’s how you react to it. She just continues to be positive and doesn’t react to negative situation – I hear you girl, she’s speaking to me too. I’m so happy for my friend, and her huge success. So glad to have gotten to know her over the past decade.
2022 Trailblazing Woman of Excellence recipient, the phenomenal Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of REAL Concierge Medicine and The Black Doctor’s COVID-19 Consortium. Dr. Stanford spoke about health inequities, and how she took things into her own hands to correct the imbalance. She was qualified as she had a proven record of providing medical care through her career. There are no shortcuts, and it gave her the foundation to which she was able to use it to save lives. She thanked her team, many who worked without pay as they worked feverishly to get people tested, then vaccinated. –
A true shero in every sense of the word!!
Tracy Davidson, Anchor, NBC 10 News Today, NBC 10 Philadelphia with a viewer
Other honorees included: Bumi Fernandez West, Chief Executive Officer of The Odunde Festival Tracy Davidson, Anchor, NBC 10 News Today, NBC 10 Philadelphia Anita T. Conner, Managing Partner, Anita T. Conner & Associates Tiffany Tavarez, Senior Vice President of Technology Diverse Segments, Representation & Inclusion (TDSRI) and Technology DE&I Council & Director of Communications, Wells Fargo Catherine Hicks, President of the Philadelphia NAACP and Publisher of the Sunday Sun Newspaper
Thank you WDAS for honoring these trailblazing women!!
Philadelphia City Councilmember Helen Gym, Maestro Louis Scaglione , City Representative Sheila Hess and Councilmember David Oh, who presented citations to Maestro Scaglione on the occassion of his 25 years of leading the PYO
For more than 80 years, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute has been home to Philadelphia’s most esteemed musical training for young musicians. Continuing the Institute’s legacy of great leadership, Maestro Louis Scaglione has dedicated 25 years of service to expand PYO Music Institute’s programs and reach hundreds of students each year.
The Legacy Gala is a black-tie evening with 250 people celebrating the 25 th Anniversary of Maestro Louis Scaglione with an art show and sale by Studio Incamminati in the Union League’s Library Lounge and Lincoln Memorial, in the ballroom for ceremonial presentations, 110 outstanding student musicians playing with Concertmaster David Kim, fabulous food and dancing to the Eddie Bruce Orchestra. Special Guests include City Representative Sheila Hess, City Council members David Oh and Helen Gym and city and cultural arts leaders.
The evening started out with a Reception and Art Show and Sale by Studio Incamminati. The art created during the reception was then auction off with the proceeds split between the art studio and PYO. Studio Incamminati is a nonprofit art school for Contemporary Realist Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded by the world renowned portrait painter Nelson Shanks in 2002
Leo Levinson, Lynn Levinson, Eric and Marylee Matzrin with Trang and Wayne Schuh
Ed and Kim Kocur
Anne Callahan (Always bringing the fashion) and Charles Croce with guest
John Lloyd and Christie Branigan
Karen Corbin, Chief Operating Officer at The Philly POPS and Joshua Thomas, Vice President of External Affairs at The Philly POPS
Porsche Hill and Banjani Hill
Sharla Feldscher and granddaughter Ryan
Maestro Louis Scaglione, Leona Shanks, Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia and son Alexander, a talented artist in his own right.
Mark Nicoletti, Mark Gisi and Christine Taylor
Ehren L. Valmé and Helen Wang
Frank Giordano, President and CEO of Philly Pops, Dotti Giordano, Violinist David Kim was named concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Matías Tarnopolsky, President and CEO · The Philadelphia Orchestra & The Kimmel Center, Inc.
Carl Dranoff, CEO of Dranoff Properties, in one of the sample units at Arthaus, a luxury condo building in Center City is located along the famed Avenue of the Arts directly across the street from the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
Arthaus and Boyd‘s partnered together to accessorize the home with clothing and compliments to complete the look of a lived in home. A reception was held to showcase the newly finished units, accessories and the nearly finished luxurious residential apartment building.
The Arthaus building Model is located in one of the finished units
Designed by internationally acclaimed architect A. Eugene Kohn , the residential building contains 108 condominiums in the 47-story, 524-foot-high tower and will be the tallest building on Broad Street.
Nick Pytel and Laura Burkhardt, Executive Director of the Avenue of the Arts
Josh Moore and Tom DeStefano
Missy Dietz and Steffani Bronstein of Boyds
Cindy Floyd, Paul Floyd, Janna Wolf and Bill Yang
Joseph Prim, Jeanne Prim and Dianne Semingson, Board President for the Avenue of the Arts
Michael Toub and Kristyn Aldrich
I saw this area at night, so a photo didn’t do it justice. What a beautiful outdoor space.
The Italian Mosaic behind the front desk was shipped over from Italy. It is gorgeous.
After harvesting your crops you can prepare them for dinner.
Arthaus is a beautiful addition to the residential scene in Philadelphia, and the capstone of the Avenue of the Arts.
Bruce Montgomery always gave one final instruction to his students and colleagues right before every production he directed: “Don’t be afraid to be magnificent!” As the iconic Director of Undergraduate Performing Arts at the University of Pennsylvania for 50 years, he mentored thousands of students and created singular opportunities for them to explore their talents, to hone their artistic skills and ultimately, to choose how to incorporate music into their lives. Many of them have gone on to huge careers in music, theater, and film.
Montgomery died in 2008, but his spirit lives on through the Bruce Montgomery Foundation for the Arts (BMFA) and the theater renamed for him at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts at Penn that same year. His influence still gives aspiring young performers the boost that can make all the difference in their early careers.
The Bruce Montgomery Foundation for the Arts provides financial support, through Springboard Grants, to talented individuals and student organizations of high school through college age, pursuing excellence in the performing arts. The Foundation has given $2,500 Springboard Grants to 30 recipients since its start. Grant winners have included instrumentalists and vocalists of all genres, composers, and schools and educational groups committed to advancing the arts.
THIS Saturday, April 9th the 2022 Springboard Grant winners will be named and celebrated at the Foundation’s annual fund-raising Winners Showcase event – returning live and in person after the pandemic’s interruption. The evening’s entertainment also features a line-up of three Broadway stars and Springboard Grant alumni whose careers are now taking flight. Hosted by New York Producer Stephen DeAngelis, the evening’s musical selections will feature songs from Broadway favorites like Wicked, The Lion King, Cabaret, Waitress, The Cher Show, The Wiz, and more, accompanied by Asher Denberg, Musical Director.
Reservations can be made to attend the 10 th Anniversary Celebration and the 2022 Springboard Grant Winners Showcase at https://www.brucemontgomery.org/event/2022-springboards-grant-awards-reception/ for $125.00 each, or $75.00 each for Young Friends (30 and under). The event begins at 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 9 th , at 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia, with dinner provided by 12 th Street Catering. Generous sponsors of the evening include: 2300 Arena, 12 th Street Catering, and Susan Beard Design.
600 supportive, loving friends and family of Jacquie Reynolds Beck and Kerry O’Riordan McAdam gathered at the Crystal Tea Room on Friday night, February 25, 2022 for First Annual Philadelphia Metsquerade Gala. This event is a fundraising gala to help find a cure for stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) which they both are living with. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go directly to METAvivor!
Kerry O’Riordan McAdam greeting the guests and tell her story. “No words could ever describe how grateful I am for every person who’s donated to our fundraiser so far no matter how big or small the amount was. I cannot believe we’ve already raised over $115k (now $404ks) towards metastatic breast cancer. That is HUGE! Jacquie and I have been able to name two grants after us with the money we’ve raised, both towards research that supports our specific subtypes – pretty cool!” DONATE
Candace Koltisko and Joseph Fernandez
Andreas Moerschel, Mary-Kate O’Riordan and Kieran Ryan
Asling Mauladad, Fahd Mauladad and Leon Armstong (I check Google it is her name)
Kristin Hartz, Jordan Harty, Rob Nolan and Ena Nolan
Philip Pappas and Stacey Smith
For those who don’t know, only ~3-5% of all breast cancer funding goes towards IV BC research, which isn’t enough. The only way Kerry, @jacquiebeck64, and all of the others others living with this disease stay alive is by the development of new treatments. The cancer is smart and the body becomes resistant to treatments. I’ve already gone through six different treatments and am currently on my seventh one. The more treatments you go through, typically the harsher the side effects, so I’m banking on a breakthrough treatment or cure in my lifetime.
