Lynn Rinaldi, GM Dolce coming to the W Hotel and Laura Burkhardt, Executive Director of Avenue of the Arts
Happy Friday. The weather was so beautiful this week. So many events are happening. It’s so great to see so many happy people out and about returning to life and each other. Yesterday I attended a few events myself. The Brandywine Realty Trust, Drexel Break Ground On The West Tower At Schuylkill Yards, then a fabulous new house on the market in West Mt Airy, which I will feature next week, and BalletX’s Summer Series happening right now at the Mann Music Center. I walked around the City on Wednesday and saw a few changes, new places, a sad closed spot and lot’s of pop ups to party at. Let’s Chat!!
Th Pod Hotel in Philly is not more, the micro hotel which opened before the pandemic in fall 2019, has changed flags and is now called Motto, and is operated by Hilton. The 31 S. 19th St. hotel
Pod Philly, the city’s first micro hotel, has changed flags and now falls under the Hilton umbrella. According to the Philly Business Journal “Defined Hospitality, the Philadelphia restaurant group behind concepts including Suraya and Pizzeria Beddia, operated three concepts at Pod Philly: rooftop Mexican eatery El Techo, a 140-seat ground floor Mexican restaurant dubbed Condesa, and an all-day light fare concept called El Café. Those offerings remain at Motto Philadelphia, with El Café already open and El Techo and Condesa reopening in June, said Cafritz.
Looks like the 200 block of S 17th St has found tenant for the long vacant stores next to Miel Patisserie 204 S 17th St. A CBD shop CBD Kratom, and City Nails on the Square which relocated from 100 N 17th St. There are a few others around town as well. Welcome to Rittenhouse Row!!
On Saturday, at 3PM The Lawn at Loveluck Pop-up beer garden opens at Love Park. Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran of Safran Turney Hospitality (STH) partnered with Terence Lewis, a longtime manager and beverage director for the pair’s restaurants who has worked alongside them for over 14 years. Popping up in late June through October, guests may visit The Lawn at Loveluck along the 15th Street side of LOVE Park. There’s lots of picnic tables, a few deckchairs, a food truck, bathrooms and fun to be had. Definitely a sunny spot, with a cool vibe to hang with friends. The only thing missing at this beachy bar is a mist’er for those hot days.
Uptown Beer Garden has moved downtown to 16th and JFK, across the street from The Lawn at Loveluck Pop-up beer garden. Uptown Beer Garden has a cool vibe, shady trees, intimate tables, friends tables, bathrooms and subs, hearty meals and beer. I like this vibe too, more of a date night, ladies night, upscale at uptown. Both Pop-up beer gardens are the perfect pair of fun this summer.
Welcome to my Neighborhood: Pier Bar in Fairmount, operated by Fare restaurant PIER BAR. At 2025 Fairmount Ave on the corner of Corinthian formerly the old Hickory Lane, Pier Bar will feature what is really lacking in our area, and in Center City, a small, local seafood restaurant (although I do recommend Seafood Unlimited in Rittenhouse as well)
I couldn’t find a website, so give them a call for info/reservations 215 763 – 7300. I’ll be back on Sunday for more chit chat. So much to talk about. If you’re not a subscriber sign up for my daily email blast in the top right corner or HERE.
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Realtors Take A Peek at Arthaus
Dranoff’s crown jewel property Arthaus opened it’s Doors to realtors in the area in anticipation for the showing of the property for potential buyers to live at the luxury building under construction on the Avenue of the Arts, which will be accepting residents in early 2022.
The soaring 47-story skyscraper with luxury condos and amenities is located at the corner of Broad and Spruce Streets, overlooking the Kimmel Center in the heart of the city. If you’re a view guy like me, the views from Arthaus the views from Arthaus are incredible of the Avenue of the Arts from the Linc to City Hall, to the Delaware Waterfront including the beautiful Ben Franklin Bridge to the Schuylkill and beyond.
Arthaus is comprised of 108 light-filled units, floor to ceiling windows, with more than 36,000 square feet of world-class amenities, including a unique rooftop greenhouse and more than 4,200 square feet of ground floor retail space. The building’s outdoor spaces will feature a year-round rooftop greenhouse, individual planting beds, a reflecting pool, lawn, and sun deck. Additional amenities include a 75-foot indoor lap pool and state-of-the-art fitness center overlooking the Kimmel Center, a tranquil library, board room, club room, dining salon, café with demonstration kitchen and children’s playroom.
Kristy Bergey and Carole Alston-Bissett 
Nina Pollutri and Manny Adams
Kelly Dalsemer and Alyson Bell 
Barbara Gall Sheehan, Carl Dranoff, and Marianne Harris
At a press conference in 2019 Dranoff said it was the goal of his team and architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox to bring a vertical tower that would be a sort of landmark for the Avenue of the Arts. The upper levels look like steps going to the sky, while the lower levels feature brick and clay tiles that relate to the Kimmel Center across the Street. For more information and to schedule a visit to Arthaus head to their website.
An enchanted evening where the weather cooperated majestically, guests had the rare opportunity to stroll the grounds during evening hours among the colorful spring blooms. All proceeds benefited the Annual Fund of The Andalusia Foundation, the nonprofit that works to preserve the gardens and buildings of this National Historic Landmark.
Ted and Carol Neilson, Villanova 
John and Sally Simkiss with Charles Keats
The “Big House” Reopened for Guided Tours | June 21, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
On Monday, June 21, 2021, Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum reopened the Biddle family’s early 19th-century Greek Revival home to guided tours for the 2021 season. The “Big House” has been closed since the spring of last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Visitors will be able to purchase tickets for small, guided tours of the “Big House” that will begin at designated times.
They will also have self-guided access to the 65-acre estate’s stunning native woodlands and spectacular formal gardens before and after their tour of the National Historic Landmark. This Bucks County riverfront estate, located just 13 miles from Philadelphia, is an ideal day trip for those looking to spend time outdoors with plenty of space for social distancing.
Steve Zettler, Cordelia Biddle, June Smith and Eileen Stoveld 
Categories
Sex and the City at Rouge
Happy Summer everyone. The City is sizzling after the lifting of the restrictions, especially in Rittenhouse Row along 18th Street. Last week Candace Bushnell stopped by Rouge to talk about her one women show “Is There Still Sex in The City” which is premiering tomorrow June 22 at the Bucks County Playhouse, in New Hope, Pa.
The event attracted many girlfriends, who were greatly influenced by the SATC story line as these two ladies mentioned in the Q&A part of the morning.
And the winner is: the Cosmo Frosé by The Library Bar at The Ritenhouse Hotel. The winner received a copy of Candace’s book “Is There Still Sex in The City” as well as a pair of tickets to the show, beginning tomorrow and running through July 18. More info on Candace’s one women show HERE
Pride Month has never been more visible in Philly than this year. Kory Aversa came to me about a month ago and said I haven’t read anything about an organized effort to celebrate Pride Month in Philly. I’m going to do something about it, and he did. He created the Philly Gay Pride website, out a call out to other PR folks to gather info on their pride events, partnered with lots media outlets and Philly Gay Calendar (and me) and wow a month full of incredible events for the community. It’s been fun. Leads right up to the 4th gayest holiday July 4th….
Parks on Tap is a cool traveling beer garden, with a chill vibe. This summer it’s set up a few locations through out the park including the hidden gem – Trails End, which is on the Schuylkill River Banks. To get there you can take the stairs at South Street, or the walking bridge next to CHOP Roberts Center. It’s to the left of the building. When you arrive on the trail head South towards the beer garden. You will see signs as well. Advice to the weak of bladder, the bathrooms are located near the South Street bridge, so it might be best if you go before you go, as it’s a 5 minute walk in either direction. OK let’s see who came out to celebrate Pride on Saturday.
The Laurel Rittenhouse has finally reached its condominium levels and earlier this month hosted the first Peek Event at the building. Guest were invited to tour one of the residential floors while the sales team brought to life each unit with the aid of floorplans and renderings. Of course, the spectacular views which owners will enjoy after moving next year, spoke for themselves.
The slender glass tower ascends 48 stories above the final parcel of land on historic Rittenhouse Square, reserving its uppermost floors for a private realm of exclusive condominium residences, lavish amenities and inspiring views.
It also includes Philadelphia’s first Equinox Fitness.
After the tour guest enjoyed refreshments, lively conversation and views of the square while being serenated by a live jazz band.
Vivian Michalopoulos, Eva Walker, Michael Ianni, and Amy
Lehman
f you missed this great event, reach out to the Laurel team directly:
Eva Walker |Director of Sales The Laurel Rittenhouse, a Southern Land Company Community
1845 Walnut St. Suite 1911 | Philadelphia, PA 19103
| O | 215-977-9777 | M | 215-913-5349
| E | Eva.Walker@southernland.com
www.southernland.com
www.thelaurelrittenhouse.com
The Pennsylvania Ballet made a triumphant return to live performances last weekend with it’s Spring Festival on Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6 at the
historic Red Rose Farm in Villanova!!
It was so wonderful to see Angel Correa, artistic director of the Pennsylvania Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet Executive Director Shelly Power who have really taken the Pa Ballet to the next level of creativity under their direction.
Pennsylvania Ballet. and his wife. The presenting sponsor is Independence Blue Cross..
Duane Perry, Arthur Kaplan,, Janet Haas and Angel Correa,
Pennsylvania Ballet dancers performed a repertory of ballets from the
company’s recently launched and critically acclaimed spring season, titled
Strength. Resilience. Beauty.
For more information visit
Pennsylvania Ballet or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for a behind the scenes look at our dancers in the studio and
onstage. For More Photos From This Event Head to CBSPHILLY and Metro Philly !!
Apple TV+’s psychological drama Servant debuted in 2019. Created by Tony Basgallop created the series Servant and it’s produced by local filmmaker M Night Shyamalan, who also directed a few episodes (As did his daughter, and his other daughter is involved in the production). It follows a grieving couple, Dorothy and Sean (Lauren Ambrose and Toby Kebbell), who bring Leanne (Nell Tiger Free), a nanny with a mysterious background, into their home. Rupert Grint also stars as Dorothy’s brother. I caught up with the cast filming in Fitler Square in April, and mentioned they’d come back in May and June. Most of the filming is shot in a studio in Garnett Valley, but when outdoor scenes are called for they return to the Fitler Square/Rittenhouse area to shoot them.
This week they filmed a carnival at their “home” block on the 2100 block of Spruce Street. They had some bad luck with the weather this week, but they finally were able to film the “Spring on Spruce” scene on Wednesday.
Nell Tiger Free, who plays Dorothy and husband Sean Turner’s nanny, Leanne, was spotted on earlier in the week walking through Rittenhouse Square with lunch from HipCityVeg on 18th Street, unnoticed. Head to Daily Mail for more photos from yesterdays shoot. (Getty [GC] Images)
Speaking of M Night Shyamalan he sat court side at the Sixers game on Monday night , not too far from Sixers owner Michael Rubin, Robert Kraft, Meek Mill and rapper Lil Baby. ( I love security holding back the fans behind them). A day earlier Rubin, Mills and Jay Z gifted Kraft a custom Rolls Royce for his 80th birthday. How did Robert Kraft and Meek Mill become friends? After the game Sixers Ben Simmons celebrated with friends at Steak 48. He’s there often, I wrote last month where he was there with his new girlfriend and family celebrating a big game May 4. Meek helicoptered back to NYC.
eclectic_and_nostalgic mentioned you in a comment: @phillychitchat HughE You are always in the know regarding things happening in our city. I just wanted to help you out. So exciting that THE Paulina Porizkova was in our area…last night chowing down on a Dalesandro Cheese-steak!!!
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More Fun Pride Events To Enjoy
The Pride Celebrations continue in June as Philly Gay Pride Month with a month-long celebration! FCM Hospitality and owner Avram Hornik announce that Lola’s Garden, Juno, Parks on Tap (two locations), Morgan’s Pier, Harper’s Garden, Craft Hall, The Garden at Cherry Street Pier and Rosy’s Taco Bar will all work in unison to help raise funds for LGBTQ Philadelphia-based charities through Philly Gay Pride Month Cocktails for a Cause.
All eight locations will feature a special-colored cocktail that matches up with the eight colors of the Philadelphia Gay Pride Flag. All eight cocktails to match the eight colors in the Philly-specific and inclusive rainbow flag will raise money for four different charities. One dollar from all eight cocktails during the 30 days of June will go to support William Way LGBT Community Center, Attic Youth Center, Philly Asian Queer and Galaei. This stance in social solidarity hopes to shine light to the various communities that the celebration of national Pride month helps represent, being mindful to include all groups that help make Philadelphia the amazing, diverse community it is. FCM Hospitality will compile donations from all venues and equally divide them between the organizations which were selected for their dedicated work and ongoing efforts to focus on intersectional populations. Additionally, FCM Hospitality will host the first-ever Philly Gay Pride Day at Parks on Tap at Trail’s End on Saturday, June 12, 2021, from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.
#loveislove Gay Pride Month Special Beer Release (also, Philly Beer Week)
Available at the Lab at Evil Genius and through GoPuff starting June 1st
Evil Genius Beer Company
Love who you want to, drink what you want to! Evil Genius Beer Companyy celebrates June as Philly Gay Pride Month with a special limited edition beer release #loveislove. This brand-new Strawberry Blonde Ale (6% ABV) is crisp with a hint of natural strawberry flavor. A portion from all sales will be donated to The Trevor Project, a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQIA+ youth. Starting June 1st, #loveislove is available in Evil Genius’ new 12 ounce cans at the Lab in Fishtown – and for exclusive delivery to your front door through a Pride partnership with GoPuff. The beer will also be available on limited release in drafts at the Lab and Evil Genius Beer Garden. Limited supplies of #loveislove will also be available at retailers and restaurants in Harrisburg and York, PA.
Friday, June 11, 2021, 10:00pm to 2:00am
Presented by BOS Philly
At venue Concourse Dance Bar
1635 S. Market Street, Philadelphia
267-534-4128
Tickets/organizer: http://bosphilly.com
Venue: https://www.concoursedancebar.com
Philadelphia, get ready to dance again! Timed with the reopening of Philadelphia bars and dance floors, BOS Philly will take over Concourse Dance Bar with Pride Night featuring DJ K!RK. Get ready for the first big party of the year! Celebrate Pride Month with the team that brought you Primal, Goldlust, Fairydust, and more! Concourse has become known for its Instagram-famous ball pit, this massive underground nightclub in Center City is decked out with eclectic, retro flair. Get ready to dance for the first time in a year and a half! This event is presented by BOS Philly at venue Concourse Dance Bar. Tickets are $25 or save $5 when tickets are bought in advance with promo code BOS2021. Tickets are available at: http://bosphilly.com.
Northern Liberties, the years of waiting are over and Philly’s hottest food neighborhood finally will get its bagel shop! Glu Hospitality debuts its first-ever breakfast and lunch concept Bagels and Co (1001 N 2nd St) with a grand opening celebration between Friday, June 4 and Sunday, June 13, 2021. On June 12th, Bagels and Co. will celebrate their grand opening with festivities all day with a free cup of coffee with any bagel or sandwich purchase. Bagels and Co. will stay open that day for a Grand Opening Public Party in conjunction with Northern Liberties Second Saturday and Artists at Work, with a DJ, featured artist at work, samples, giveaways – plus a local offer for the neighborhood with 10% off for any locals who show identification, mail or anything that says they are from No Libs and 19123 zip code – or from anyone that works in the neighborhood. More happening in the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District presents Artists at Work Celebrate Pride. On Saturday, June 12th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, head to various businesses in Northern Liberties for a celebration that features local artists showcasing and making their wares, including several featured LGBTQ artists.
Saturday, June 12, 2021 | 9:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
On Saturday, June 12, 2021, Come Alive 215 and Meet Philadelphia present a Pride Workout, Drag Show and Picnic Brunch – to benefit two essential local gay charities.
Double the trouble, double the fun, double the sweat!
Fitness experts Kim Harari and Shannon Brennan of Come Alive 215 just won Best of Philly for Best Virtual Workout Class in 2020 – and the duo are keeping things moving into 2021!
Their fitness classes are unlike anything else in the Philadelphia fitness market – and the electric workout experiences have gone viral! Now, the duo are headed back outdoors, with some of the biggest names in town – for Philly Gay Pride Month.
For food, the duo get some help from one of the single biggest names in town. James Beard winner Michael Solomonov will be providing brunch bites, along with other complimentary food and drink from the likes of Crystal Head Vodka, Athleta, NY Bagel Butler, Red Bull, Bean2Bean and more. Drag performances will showcase the talents of Vinchelle, Iris Spectre and Poochie, with beats from DJ Kat Bancer.
Tickets are on sale now for $65.00 with a portion of proceeds being donated to The Attic Youth Center and William Way LGBT Community Center. For details and tickets visit hellopride.eventbrite.com.