Leslie Odom, Jr. Helps University of the Arts Celebrate their 140th anniversary

October 24, 2016 by HughE Dillon

Leslie Odom, Jr. Helps University of the Arts Celebrate their 140th anniversary

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The University of the Arts hosted a Creative Black Tie Gala as part of a year-long series of events celebrating its 140th anniversary. The star-powered, Grammy-style gala featured Philadelphia native and Hamilton star Leslie Odom, Jr., and performances by some of UArts’ most renowned ensembles and was held at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, Sunday October 16, 2016.

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Brian and Sherry Effron, University of the Arts president, David Yager, Leslie Odom, Jr , Jeff Hammond, auctioneer extraordinaire, as well as emcee for the evening, and Jeffrey A. Lutsky, chairman of the Board of Trustees for UArts and Stradley Ronon’s managing partner.
Yager was officially installed the next day, October 17. “Mark today in your calendar, as we celebrate 140 years and this inauguration. We are standing at the threshold of something new… the University of the Arts will be what it has always been—distinctive and bold—and it will be like something we have never seen before. Because that is our obligation—and our passion—as artists and makers.” – David Yager

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Neil Kleinman is the director of the Corzo Center for the Creative Economy and a former professor of Multimedia and Communication at the University of the Arts, Kate Genzer and Richard Genzer, Genzer Associates

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Frank Giordano, President & CEO | The Philly Pops and Dottie Giordano

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Leslie and Al Borish

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The high–energy event wove together musical and theatrical performances, awards and remarks to create an impactful evening honoring the University community’s contributions to the creative economy. Mole Street produced the musical part of the evening.

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Brandy Tynes and Bernard Tynes

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Award winning Artists Nadia Hironaka, Chair of the Film and Video department at The Maryland Institute College of Art and Matthew Suib, Hironaka & Suib

are both alumni of The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

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Alyson Frank and Sherry Effron

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Aubrey Fink, Kim Fink, Karin Copeland and Sage Copeland.

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Leslie Odom Jr. with honorees Eleanor Davis and Stephen Tarantal.

Raised in Philadelphia, Odom made his Broadway debut as a teenager in “Rent.” He later performed in productions like “Leap of Faith“ and “Venice;” Odom also appeared on TV as Sam Strickland on the NBC musical series “Smash”, before but before appearing in the smash hit on Broadway “Hamilton.” Up next for Odom is the release of his Christmas CD “Simply Christmas,” on November 11.

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Beth Fredrick, Lisle Hummerston, Meghan Walsh and Francina Girard,

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Cheryl Hazzard, Alumni Board, Composer, musician, and scholar J. Donald Dumpson (he Curated the Papal Visit Choir With Aretha Franklin) and Valerie V. Gay, CFP | Art Sanctuary. Saturday night she performed at the PABJ Awards

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Anna Ready and Anna Clarke

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Before I knew it the gal ringing the chimes to signal the guests head to the ballroom passed by, and it was time for me to go….

Philadelphia

Effen Soggy Sunday Gossip with 50 Cents, Celeb Sightings, Weddings & Baby

October 9, 2016 by HughE Dillon

Good Soggy Sunday to you. Last week I was so crazy I missed out Sunday chats, but I’m here today to fill you in on what’s happening in our good town, who was spotted, got married, and had a baby. Plus a list of a few events happening tonight and this week. Hope you have a great day, if you want to stay out of the rain and go crazy the Brauhaus Schmitz Oktoberfest at the Armory has two sessions today. Plus they’ll have a screen to catch the Eagles game, but I doubt you’ll be able to hear it starts at 1PM. There’s also the Columbus Day Parade in South Philly, hosted by Alicia Vitarelli, 6ABC with co host duties by the Geater with the Heater, Old City Fest is happening rain or cloudy today, with most of the action being centered at 2nd and Arch Street; Outfest is celebrating Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered Question (LGBTQ) pride in the Gayborhood – 13/Walnut/Locust/Spruce streets.

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@50cent hosted at 1925 Lounge featuring #EffenVodka with music by @djayeboogie and @djshortywop

50 Cents

Mina Say What from Power 99 was in the house

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Chase Lenfest spotted Nerlens Noel walking on Chestnut Street

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Dave Warren leaves Fox 29 and takes a job at a Miami CBS station. I was kinda surprised cause the last time I spoke with him he said he was staying in Philly and going into business. But I guess if I had an opportunity to continue in my field and live in Florida, especially before the Winter of 2016/17, that’d be pretty attractive too. I’ll miss you Dave and Alissa.

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Congrats to Brittany Ann Cormack, Costume Designer. She’s done costume design for many movies, including Voiceless, which was filmed in Philadelphia. Voiceless is about a young, reserved, war veteran, moves to North East Philadelphia to start an inner city community outreach and puts his life on the line to stand against an abortion clinic that moved across the street from his building. Next up for Brittany Ann working on “Beyond the Rye” with James Caan, Lacey Chabert and Armand Assante.

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Friday night I headed to Harp & Crown for the Friends and Family dinner. Delicious, different and delightful are the
words the describe the new eatery, which opens tomorrow. My favs on the menu, The Prawns, they are plated magnificently, the Farra Pasta is wonderful, I can’t wait to go back for more, the olives, the steak, everything basically. Plus they have a bowling alley in the speakeasy bar in the basement. There’s no password to gain access, just go down there or take the elevator. Harp & Crown, at 1525 Sansom St. (215-330-2800),

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One more day til Jessica Boyington returns to NBC10. People wondered where she was all week on the internet. She was on vacation, and by the looks of her traveling companion a 10 day vacation was beautiful. 50 Cent

Congrats you two

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Don’t take your organs with you

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A little late, but as gorgeous as ever. Hmm who do you think Killian Robert Gagnon born 10/1/16, looks like? Congrats Katie and Ryan.

HAPPENINGS

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50 Cents

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The Post Brothers always put on a good party.
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Philadelphia

Philly Gossip: Celeb Sightings in Philly, People in the News & Happenings

April 29, 2016 by HughE Dillon

Good Friday afternoon, how about a little Philly Gossip. Hope you had a great weekend. So much going on. I’m getting my first wordpress lesson today so hopefully I can figure out how to put these instragram and social media photos in with links so you can go right to these pages. Otherwise if you see something you like just google their names and their social media will come up.

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Celeb sightings I tweeted about this week. Seems Will Smith was in town. He was staying at the Ritz Carlton hotel but using the The Residences at the Ritz Carlton Gym. He was also spotted with a real estate agent at the Residences. Maybe that penthouse is finally going to be sold.

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Former President Bill Clinton was seen strolling through the Sonesta Hotel’s lobby after he had spent Primary night there. My mom stayed there last weekend too. That hotel has gotten so hot since it’s been rebranded, and refreshed. In June look for Ruth Chris steakhouse to open. 50Cent was in town on Monday to sign bottles of his booze EFFEN at the state store in Northern Liberties. He must have spent the weekend here cause Saturday night he was spotted at Coda.

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Monday night Chelsea Clinton was at Coda pimping for her mom Hillary Clinton (who stayed at the Sheraton Hotel the night before Primary Night), who was doing a MSNBC Town Hall Meeting at the Constitution Center (BTW that was taped. I guess it didn’t say so during the show. After I wrote my column on Bernie and his meltdown cause Hillary was still taping when he arrived for his segment, people were saying but Bernie was on stage first. I had noted that Clinton taped from 530 to 630pm, but was still on stage at 7PM, but I guess those readers didn’t realize that was 2 hrs before the show aired. )OK now that that’s cleared up, here’s what’s happening in the neighborhood. 4-29-2016 7-52-33 AM (Custom)

Congrats City Rep Sheila Hess for your story being published in Philly Current Mag 4-29-2016 7-57-40 AM (Custom)

So nice Yo Yo Ma posed with unsung hero Jim Sweeney who has worked backstage with the Phila Orchestra for 25 years 4-29-2016 8-01-19 AM (Custom)

Happy 50th Birthday Christopher Barlett, the unsung hero of Philly’s LGBTQ community service – The William Way Center. With him is Ernest Owens, Metro Philly columnist as well as GPhilly editor. He’s had quite a week himself as a shot of him at a Hillary Clinton rally appeared on NYTimes.com

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Perusing Instagram I came across this very interesting photo by Tismfu of 17th and Walnut. You can tell he’s a visitor cause he called it Walnut and 17th, natives usually put the number first. 4-28-2016 10-26-46 PM (Custom)

Congrats to Mark Marek and Dilara Deger on their wedding yesterday. Mark owns the popular Rumor nightclub (Say hi to Teefish at the door when you’re there) and the sexy, speakeasy lounge 1925 (formerly G Lounge).

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Congrats to Sue Daugherty, executive director of MANNA and her girlfriend Meg Paszko on their nuptials. 4-28-2016 10-29-04 PM (Custom)

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Happy Spring Awakenings to Stratus Lounge who had celebrity spinner Sam Ronson on hand, who shared time with DJ Royale keeping the dance floor packed. 4-29-2016 7-51-21 AM (Custom)