Sly and the Family Creed Take On Philly Once Again, Press Stops, Screenings and After Party

November 9, 2015 by HughE Dillon

In 1976, Rocky Balboa triumphantly ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and became “The Italian Stallion” underdog of legend. Now, actor Sylvester Stallone returned to where it all began to promote the franchise continuation with Creed. He was in Philly on Friday for a whirlwind tour which included press conferences, screenings (UA Riverview & Cinemark University City) and an after party at Top of the Tower.

Earlier this year Philly’s favorite Hollywood son, Sly Stallone, returned to the City of Brotherly Love to film another in the Rocky franchise – Creed.

You’ll recall I chronicled the filming on PhillyChitChat, Fox 29, Philly Mag and had a few pixs in the Philly Daily News, Liberty City Press and Philly Metro. Michael B Jordan, director Ryan Coogler and Sly outside of “Adrian’s Restaurant”. I’m not going to link to those sites as I don’t want to spoil the movie, which will be released on 11/25/15.

Word started to leak out mid-week that the cast of Creed was going to

hold a press conference at the top of the Art Museum Steps.

A few notables in the press came out to cover it

The Mayor was on hand to greet them. There’s Joan Rivera in the back on the left. He just began working in the special events department at City Hall.

I spotted Sharon Pinkenson, Executive director of Greater Philadelphia Film Office. Her office does an excellent job at wooing productions to our City. (Today M. Night Shyamalan‘s “Split” with James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, Jessica Sula and Haley Lu Richardson, in Philly now through 12/19/15)

Then the moment came for the cast to exit the Art Museum and take to the stage. Looking fly was

Michael B. Jordan, check out those red bottom shoes.

Sly Stallone waves to the crowd

Vince Papale introduced the Mayor and cast, which was an interesting choice of people. Maybe because he was an underdog like Rocky, and the film Invinceable, about Papale’s life story filmed in Philly, was a triumphant.

Sylvester Stallone Michael B Jordan, and Tessa Thompson waiting to take the stage

Tessa’s character uses the word Jawn a lot in the movie. Thanks to Mina Say What who filled me in to what Jawn meant
Tessa Thompson, Mayor Michael Nutter, Michael B. Jordan Writer/Director Ryan Coogler, Producer Irwin Winkler and Sylvester Stallone,

And what tense jawn shouldn’t be used in like when Tessa called herself a Jawn Women at the press conference. Maybe that’s why the mayor is laughing so hard. Tessa said that Philly was her favorite co-star in the film. I saw the film, and I agree with her.

We’re embargoed about what we can say about the film, but I do believe it’s one of the best Rocky movies. Sly did say that Creed would be a new franchise, just like Rocky.

Mayor Nutter honored each of the Creed stars with a replica Liberty Bell.

The bells were inscribed to each of the actors

The cast of Creed presented the mayor with a framed rendering of a mural, created as a special tribute to the city, that was before the Art Museum press conference at the Front Street Gym in North Philly, a location that features prominently in the new film. The cast signed the mural, as well as the framed art work.

They also gifted the Mayor with a “Creed” jacket.

These two make a cute couple – they definitely have chemistry. (later in the evening these two would attend the UA Riverview screening with fans)

After the stage press conference, there was time for a video conference with the news

Then the three settled down for an interview on the Art Museum Steps with a gorgeous view

of the City. I think this interview will be used when the movie comes out. It was interesting how they positioned the stars to capture the City. It was a perfect day for filming the interview, overcast is much better than bright sunshine. Plus at noon the sun would have been in front of us and the glare would have killed any decent shots. (later in the evening a party celebrating the film was held at Top of the Tower on the 51st Floor – it’s opened on weekends for brunch for the rest of us as well as can be rented out for special events), which is the “red, but looks brown” building in this shot.

After the interview Sly signed for fans before leaving the Art Museum Steps

The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema movie is set to be released on 11/15/15, the day before Thanksgiving Day, the 40th anniversary of the first fight in the first Rocky movie. I saw that first Rocky on Thanksgiving day with my Aunt Rosie, cousins Bob & Michael and my brother Ray. This movie captures the same excitement, and will create memories for a new generation.
Check out the Philly Metro for another photo and article on those darn Rocky step changes the Art Museum hopes to do. #JustSayNo
And I have more pixs in Philly Mag

The Buzz: SHANE VICTORINO SNUB, MAYOR NUTTER, TIPPI HENDREN, PINK POPS, Dave Akers, Doughnut Day, Roberto Capucci

June 3, 2011 by HughE Dillon 2 Comments

Last night when I walked into Rouge a guy came over to me and said Shane Victorino is at the table by the window and wants you to come over and say hi. Shane had asked him to tell the bald guy to come over. Well at the same time I walked in Mayor Nutter walked in too and I pointed out he probably meant that bald guy. After I took this shot of Uri and gang outside, I heard Shane, who was sitting in the window, call my name out. I went over and he said “HughE why did you ignore me earlier when I sent my friend over to get you.” I said oh, it’s been a long time since anyone called me the bald guy, I’m so used to getting called the big guy I forget that I don’t have hair too.” Above Kelly Ganczarz, Kent Jevremovic, Uri Jacobson and Lianna Shablin.Speaking of Shane Victorino, The Shane Victorino Foundation All-Star Celebrity Fashion Show is August 25 at the Union League. Last year at the event Sabrina Tamburino bin on and won a walk on role on HBO’s Entourage. Here she is above on set 2 weeks ago in hair and make-up getting ready for her close-up. Is that Adrian Grenier in the background?

Look for Arrow Swim Club to make a surprising announcement soon, so if you were planning to join now is the time. This was a shot from Memorial Day. Nice crowd, and there were still lounges available.
Today Is DONUT DAY and Krispy Kreme will give one free doughnut to anyone who walks into the store and says, “Happy National Doughnut Day.” The limit is one per customer.
Wharton’s Mike LaMonaca went to San Francisco on a biz trip and took a side trip up to see where Alfred Hitchcock’s famed horror movie “The Birds” was filmed at Gaffney Ranch on Bodega Head. Tippi Hedren, star of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” and mother of Melanie Griffiths was there at an event and Mike met her, got a graph & this picture.
Bree Olsen, who is appearing at Cheerleaders tonight, stopped by the Preston & Steve show yesterday. Preston is making sure everything is intact after being one of Charlie Sheen’s Goddesses for a month.

Philadelphia born singer Pink had her baby girl, Willow Sage Hart last night.
My sister Crista came to town with her adorable kids, Michael & Bo and we went to The Please Touch Museum. My sister loved it so much that she almost bought a membership, but then remembered she lived in Charlotte, NC and would be busy with a toddler next year. Crista’s due in August and is having a girl. Congratulations to Philadelphia Daily News gossiper Dan Gross & wife Holly Mahar on the birth of their new baby girl last week. Also congrats to my “co-worker at NBC10” Deanna Durante and husband Tim Swan who are going to be first time parents in 9 weeks.
Jill Rizen stops by the Philadelphia Eagles kicker Dave Akers event at the Cescaphé Ballroom last night to lend her support to his charity that helps children and their families being treated at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia through his David’s Locker program.
Last night Italian fashion designer Roberto Capucci was honored at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is exhibiting 90 of his couture designs thru Sunday, some of which were worn by Marilyn Monroe, Gloria Swanson and Esther Williams all of which were exquisitely marvelous in design and color. Roberto Capucci, greets Susan Corbett, First Lady of Commonwealth and Chair Pennsylvania Council for the Arts as Gail Harrity, President and COO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. First Lady Corbett is wearing a Capucci inspired design but no one I asked knew the label and she was too tall for me to peal back the collar and check.
Whisper was closed Thursday night because of an issue with the city ownedpiping . Everything is dandy now and the club will be open for the weekend.

I stopped by G Lounge’s RAW Thursday (The once monthly art/fashion show/music night) to check out my former co-worker Grey Papa and the band he plays in “Tara Girl.” It was the first time hearing Tara Girl and I say sign her up – She’s got a great, powerful, soulful voice. You can check her out on Youtube HERE, and next week I’ll chat a little more about the whole RAW Thursday outing.