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
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.
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.
and was capped off with an in person gala on March 18 at the W Philadelphia on level 7, the Wet Deck Bar, overlooking the city scape and pool.
Amber Hill, Shanea Frazier and Devon Caudle
I love this colorful flower wall which will no doubt be used as a backdrop for years to come
Bobbi Booker, Radio Host, WRTI-FM (Philadelphia, PA) and Dosage Magazine and Foster Child
Tribaja is a proud minority and woman owned business founded by Shannon Morales in 2017. Shannon Morales started the company after experiencing unconscious bias in the workplace and set out to create a platform vetted with only the best work environments for underrepresented talent. Shannon Morales is a single mother, Afro Latina, and social entrepreneur. She was awarded “Culture Builder of the Year” in Philly tech, nominated for Young professional of the year, and is a first generation graduate.
Vernon recently launched a Street Photography program called “Shoot Cameras, Not Guns”
Vernon Ray had an epiphany after attending his younger cousin’s funeral. Seeing a young man lose his life, not much older than Ray’s son, it was time to give back to the community.
Ray launched Shoot Cameras, Not Guns, a program through his photography studio to teach children, teens, and even adults photography as an alternative to getting involved in street life.
“I called my brother, and I say, ‘Yo man, we got to do something man,’” Ray said. “Just like that, I just blurted out ‘shoot cameras not guns.’” according to the Philadelphia Tribune.
Dominique Fiorentino and Shannon Pepe
Queen Regina
Welcome Back to in person events.
Malinda Logan and Lee Avant
Isabelle Kent, Philly Startup and Dyshaun Hines, METRODAO
Stephie Celestin, Camillia Brown and Lynn Brown
Kharisma McIlwaine, a Philadelphia native, is a Multimedia personality, Writer, Community Ambassador, Singer and Film Maker and Kate Marlys of Philly PR Girl . The cocktail reception was the perfect gathering to celebrate the success of the 2022 Diversitech Summit, and kick off in person events. The W Hotel’s Wet Deck is Philly’s hottest new event space. Spacious, beautiful, indoor outdoor flexibility.
Last week Rebecca Segall, Owner and Director of Gross McCleaf Gallery (127 S 16th St) hosted a cocktail party celebrating the collaboration of artist Thomas Paul Raggioand CMMP. Thomas Paul Raggio’s solo exhibit will be on display featuring CMMP garments highlighting the lining collab.
Seasonally, CMMP partners with a US-based contemporary artist to design exclusive linings for our blazers and suits. For SS22 we decided to partner with Thomas Paul Raggio, a philly-based contemporary artist and fine art lecturer. His use of color and clean geometric images are the perfect contrast to our suiting. (note the lining of the coat which matches Raggio’s painting above the jacket.)
Artist Tom Raggio and Nadine Raggio
Thomas Paul Raggio: In The Valley
“I contemplate every color, mark, and placement of the line to formulate what I call rhythmic velocities: relationships of color and motion that give life to the composition, creating a heartbeat. I am interested in the duality of math and design: through repetition, a line made of color becomes a rhythmic pattern. This concept is found when composing music, organic landscapes and architectural structures. By referencing these sources, my abstractions transcend their formal components, reaching beyond a minimalist canon.” – Thomas Paul Raggio
Gross McCleaf Gallery Team: David Heshmatpour, Emma Rose Cook, Rebecca Segall, and Morgan Hobbs
Vicky Leno, Kristin Camel and Vanessa Daboli
Rachel Zimmerman, Artistic and Executive Director of InLiquidand Chris Poehlmand, owner at CPLIGHTING
Sabir Peele wearing a sports suit ironically on brand.
JP Calabro and Robert Robinson
Gross McCleaf Gallery has been an esteemed fixture on Philly’s gallery scene for more than 50 years, but with the recent retirement of longtime owner Sharon Ewing and the new ownership under PAFA graduate Rebecca Segall, the contemporary gallery is prepared to take on the next half-century with a refreshed—and decidedly modernday— perspective * source. Look for more exciting exhibition openings, and receptions.
According to Variety…. Philadelphia born Lee Daniels will direct “Demon House,” based on the story of an Indiana family (Ammons) that has claimed to be a victim of demonic possession. Several Hollywood players, including MGM and Miramax, were vying for rights to the Oscar-nominated director’s upcoming project. Netflix’s $65 million price tag — a hefty sum covering the film’s production budget and buyouts — secured the sale, according to Deadline Hollywood, who broke the news of Netfliks purchase.
I had mentioned in December Lee Daniels would be filming Demon House in our area after attending a Phildanco event where Daniels was to be honored, but wasn’t able to make it. At that event Sharon Pinkenson announced he’d be back in our area to do this film. Thanks to the GPFO and all the work they do to secure these projects.
Idris Elba in Concrete Cowboy starring Caleb McLaughlin which filmed in Philly August 2019
Demon House reunites Daniels and Andra Day, who recently worked together on Hulu’s musical biographical drama “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Rounding out the cast includes Glenn Close, Octavia Spencer, Rob Morgan, “Stranger Things” actor Caleb McLaughlin (who filmed Concrete Cowboy in 2019) and “King Richard” breakout Aunjanue Ellis.
The Bagan family moved into the house after the Ammons and did a documentary on their experience. This was their promotional poster.
Here’s my scoop: Look for Demon House to begin filming in our area at the end of April and continue until June. It’ll be filmed in Philadelphia, Sun Studios and my sources tell me in New Jersey.
The Philly Home Show March 18th through 20th and 25th through 27th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Discover. Plan. Do. Two weekends only for great deals, new ideas, and practical advice, with trusted, local experts that can make your dream home a reality;
provided
Bugsy Drake of “The Queen of Theme” is widely known for her role as Chief Stew on Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean, Christine “Bugsy” Drake, can be seen dazzling luxury yacht guests with her signature tablescapes and over-the-top theme parties.
Bugsy will be appearing in the Affinity Furniture booth (#824) Saturday, March 26 from 12noon-1pm. She will be signing books and meeting fans. While there you can admire her beautiful tablescapes created using Affinity Furniture tables Philly Home Show
Happy Valentine’s Day. Hope to see you tomorrow at Love Park for the Power99, Love & Grit Wedding Pop up between 10am and noon. Three couples are getting married.
You don’t have to have an Instagram account to look at these stories
Congrats Brianna Dugan and Pat Schultz who I caught getting engaged yesterday at Elfreth’s Alley. I was there with a Meetup photo group I belong to. If you want to meet new people, or hang with people with your same interests, there is a Meet Up group in our area for you. Brianna and Pat met on Hinge, so if you’re looking for someone to date that sounds like a good way as well.
‘Servant’ created by Tony Basgallop and executive-produced by The Sixth Sense writer-director M. Night Shyamalan started filming Season 4 this week. Has been the case in past seasons they started production in the neighborhood where it’s set, Fitler/Rittenhouse Sq., before it heads into Night’s replica neighborhood in a studio in Delco.
The Apple TV+ thriller Servant returned for its third season on Friday, Jan. 21, with actors Lauren Ambrose, Toby Kebbell, #NellTigerFree, and #RupertGrint coming back for the next chapter of the psychological drama. Watch it!! Then next year the final season of Servant will run. The episodes
You don’t have to have an Instagram account to look at these stories
I photographed the action on Tuesday and Friday this week. Soooo cold Tuesday, spring like on Friday. But the episodes filmed were in the “fall” season. Note pumpkins and leaves.
Little Susie’s has opened at 2nd and Chestnut Streets this weekend. Can’t wait to try some of their pies people rave about. Mushroom & Swiss Pie, Glazed Cherry Pie, Apple Pie, Pork Roll & Cheese Pie. Lot’s happening in Old City lately. Last month I wrote about Riversward Produce opening on Bread Street soon. Last week Frame restaurant opened. I’ll have photos from that event this week.
Thanks to Steven Singer and Slice Pizza Philly for treating the front line workers at Pennsylvania Hospital this past weekend with 350 heart shaped pizzas.
Two local small businesses are teaming up with the most unique Valentine’s Day gifts in the region. Steven Singer Jewelers returns for Valentine’s with their signature 24 kt. gold-dipped roses, including a new color with Emerald City Green. Singer is open at their location at 739 Walnut with special Valentine’s Weekend hours. SliCE is also taking orders and delivering heart-shaped pizza grams now through Valentine’s Day in Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Center City, South Philly, University City and Washington Township. Together, the two have joined forces and Singer is donating part of the proceeds from Valentine’s gold-dipped rose sales to support SliCE and feed over 750 health heroes and frontline staff heart-shaped pizzas this week at both Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Pennsylvania Hospital. On Valentine’s Day itself the two will again team up and three lucky heart gram recipients will find a special gold-dipped rose with their heart-shaped pizza.
Steven Singer Jewelers, at 8th and Walnut Street, for in-person shopping as well as their fast and free shipping year-round. Singer’s most popular and well-known item across the city, region and country is their 24 karat gold and platinum dipped roses – Singer’s best selling and most popular products. Singer specifically selected this item to help give back as it is a signature seller that everyone has come to associate him and his company with. The roses are also a very relatable symbol we can all rally around and come together as a community. For many families, there are generations of family members who have been collecting the roses and who are passing them down to their children and grandchildren. Each rose is a one-of-a-kind and comes with a lifetime guarantee. They come in a variety of exclusive colors starting at just $59.
Steven Singer Jewelers is donating a portion of proceeds from Valentine’s sales of his famous 24 karat gold and platinum dipped roses to thank frontline essential hospital workers and first responders – and at the same time support local, independent restaurants during a crisis for their industry. Valentines leading to Mother’s Day is one of Singers’ biggest times of year for the gold-dipped roses – and he wanted to again thank them as they continue to battle COVID 19. This is a win-win to help hospital employees and a way to help SliCE as they work hard to stay in business during the pandemic.
The joint was jumping this past week as Craftsman Row Saloon, at 112 S. 8th Street, debuted their Mardi Gras theme bar/eatery on Thursday. It had all the feels of a great New Orleans party. As with their pop up Christmas themed bar, decorations got you in the mood for some delicious southern delights.
Wednesday night they hosted a media/influencer dinner.
Craftsman Row Saloon is owned by brother-and-sister restaurateurs George and Vasiliki Tsiouris, co-owners of Midtown Village’s popular Drury Beer Garden that currently features their beloved Greek cuisine with the Opa Pop-Up.
Guests enjoyed Dirty Rice with Shrimp, Ground Beef, Peppers and Onions, which was delicious. Diners were delighted with King Cake Sweet Potato Fries, which really tasted like pancakes at dinner. Sweet was an understatement. Regular menu items are also available like the Dorito coated mozzarella sticks, award-winning burgers, and fiery buffalo mac-n-cheese.
Martin Alfaro , Al Dia News and friends . I’m excited to quietly announce that I will be having a new photo column at Al Dia. I had one about 5 years ago with Liberty City Press, which was an insert in Al Dia, but the editor I worked with left the field. I’m so grateful for Martin to reach out to me as I love delivering great content to the Latino community, and all those who read Al Dia. They have great content, and a beautifully organized website.
Amaris Pollock who dined with Chef Barbie MarshallJamarcus Henderson dining with media magnificent Ernest Owens
Craftsman’s Row Over-theTop Theme Milkshakes were transformed for the season: King of Bourbon Street – Bassetts vanilla ice cream, king cake, white chocolate, cinnamon, powdered donut, caramel drizzle, beads, festive sprinkles (boozy option also available) Bourbon Street Inspired Cocktails Cereal Milk Punch – bourbon, cereal-milk, nutmeg Masquerade Hurricane – light and dark rum, orange, pineapple, lemon Smudge Kit Margarita – tequila, sage, triple sec, lime
Michael Newmuis, Chief of Staff at Visit Philadelphia at Craftsman Row Saloon. Of course I tried to get him to move his head ever so slightly to the left without him knowing… hehehe It was an enjoyable night trying all the new dishes and shakes.
NBC10 co workers Sheila Watko and Lucy Bustamante celebrate the evening, and were still sporting smiles hours later despite Lucy’s car being towed and the dynamic duo had to bail her out of the PPA impoundment. I want these two at my next party. They knew the assignment.
If it wasn’t exciting enough that Main Line Today and Today Media announced the 2022 Main Line Today Restaurant Week running February 21st through March 6th, 2022. The 14-day culinary celebration will bring together and showcase the talents of top chefs, restaurants and purveyors in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties, I found a few spots which will remind you of summer while we ride out the winter weather.
Over 30 restaurants are lined up for this 14-culinary festival that was designed to support the restaurants during these challenging times, raise up the suburban dining scene in the Philadelphia region, and bring attention to the culinary riches from BYOs to full service restaurants – and everything in between.
The 14-day culinary celebration will bring together and showcase the talents of top chefs, restaurants and purveyors in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course prix fixe menus for lunch ($26.95, plus tax, beverage and gratuity) and dinner ($39.95, plus tax, beverage and gratuity). Restaurants can choose what works best for them, offering lunch, dinner, or both—dine-in or takeout. Foodies from across the tri-state area are invited to save the date, make their reservations, and come hungry for the tastiest weeks of the spring.
Rosalie 139 East Lancaster Avenue – Just last week Rupert Grint was spotted eating here. He’s in town filming M Night Shyamalan’s Servant Season 4
“Main Line Today Restaurant Week is a 14-day celebration of our region’s top chefs, restaurants and purveyors,” said Main Line Today Associate Publisher Marie Edwards. “We couldn’t be happier with the final list of restaurants that really showcase the amazing culinary talent in every pocket and corner of the Main Line and Western Suburbs. We want to make a real and genuine difference to the smaller and independent mom-and-pop restaurants that have been profoundly affected by the pandemic.
For its second year, the Main Line restaurant community joins forces with local media and businesses to showcase the culinary talent that makes the Main Line and western suburbs such a diverse and rich dining destination. Efforts are designed to rally diners and foodies from around the region to support the most notable restaurants, bars, eateries, BYOBs and takeout spots. While all restaurants in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties are invited to participate, there is a special focus on independent and locally operated restaurants.
Amis Trattoria 138 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 140, Devon, PA 19333
Main Line Today Restaurant Week is supported by sponsors Firstrust Bank, Comcast Business, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and others. Save the dates and follow @mainlinetoday #MLTrestaurantweek on social media for updates and previews. For more information and registration forms, visit www.MainLineToday.com/Restaurant-Week or call (610) 325-4630.
