Old City was energized on Friday as First Friday resumed a few months ago, and really seems to be hitting it’s stride again this year. So many art galleries and shops were open, attracting locals and art enthusiast a like. I headed to The Museum for Art in Wood and the opening night of The Mashrabiya Project
Anila Quayyum Agha stands next to her work”Charred Gold,” is a Mashrabiya made of charred block is, each embellished with words in English and Urdu describing emotions. .
The Mashrabiya Project is a community-focused, shared experience that links the heritage of the mashrabiya, a screening element with ancient origins, to responses in art and design that reflect considerations of space and seeing in contemporary life. The Project—the first in the U.S. to examine the mashrabiya as both an architectural object and a locus of metaphor—presents an opportunity for dialogue and connection across cultural and geographic borders.
Hoda Tawakol ,Majida Khattari,, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Anila Quayyum Agha, and Jennifer-Navva Milliken, executive director and chief curator of the Museum for Art in Wood,
In newly commissioned works, six artists from the Muslim world— Anila Quayyum Agha,, Nidaa Badwan, Susan Hefuna, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Majida Khattari, and Hoda Tawakol created societal and cultural concepts evoked by the mashrabiya.
Bill Gehrman, Owner & CEO · En Route and Tracy Buchholz Director of Public Relations En Route
Amrut Mishra and Micki Burdick enjoying the exhibition
Hoda Tawakol, Zaid Alrawi and Yarub
Guests view Majida Khattari‘s “Orientalismes revisités à Philadelphie” in which a series of photos displayed on a video screen must be viewed through a mashrabiya. Many of the photos are local artists or art lovers in the Philly area.
Leila Cartier, Executive Director of CraftNow takes a photo of herself in Majida Khattari‘s “Orientalismes revisités à Philadelphie”
Patricia Fowler, Esq., President, Museum for Art in Wood greets the guests.
Guests relax on the sofa while enjoying the exhibition
Lindsey Bedford, with FringeArts is the new Director of Marketing and Communications and Rachel Zimmerman, Artistic and Executive Director of InLiquid
Ruth and Rick Synderman
“The Mashrabiya Project” is on display at the Museum for Art in Wood until July 23 and is free. The Museum also have other exhibitions on display, and a great gift shop. So many unique items.
Disney100: The Exhibition invites guests to step into their favorite Disney stories across ten galleries throughout a 15,000-square-foot exhibit space featuring innovative and immersive technology. The Walt Disney Archives spent the past five years curating a collection of more than 250 rarely seen original artworks, artifacts, costumes, props, and other memorabilia for the exhibition celebrating 100 years of The Walt Disney Company.
The vast majority of objects are from the Walt Disney Archives, with a selection of artwork from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library, and Pixar Living Archives, as well as props and costumes on loan from Marvel Studios.
Larry Dubinski is the President & CEO of The Franklin Institute and Becky CLine, director of the Walt Disney Archieves.
Disney100: The Exhibition is created and curated by the Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions. The Franklin Institute is proud to present and play host to the world premiere of Disney100: The Exhibition in the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion and the Mandell Center. PECO, the Premier Corporate Partner of the Franklin Institute, is the Local Presenting Sponsor of the exhibition, and PNC is the Associate Sponsor.
Margaret Hughes, First Deputy City Representative at City of Philadelphia, Angela Val, President & CEO of Visit Philadelphia, Gregg Caren, President & CEO Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jennifer Nagle, Interim President & CEO, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation and Sheila Hess, City Representative in the Office of City Representative
Visit Philadelphia’s Binh Nguyen and Jasmine Armstrong with Mickey Mouse
Thursday night the Franklin Institute hosted an invite only preview party to friends, sponsors and folks in the hospitality field.
For more than 50 years, the Walt Disney Archives has carefully safeguarded the most treasured items from The Walt Disney Company’s history, including original scripts, movie props and costumes, Walt Disney’s correspondence and script notes, theme park artifacts, merchandise, millions of archival photographs, and many of Walt’s personal effects.
Michael Newmius, FS Investments with the team from 6ABC
Founded by Disney Legend Dave Smith in 1970, the Walt Disney Archives is a vital resource for every part of Disney, as well as an important research center for Disney scholars, researchers, and writers. The Archives also shares its countless pieces with Disney fans everywhere through its exhibitions and close association with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.
Natalie Egenolf, Lipstick League Podcast and Nyla Koncurat, Board ChairBoard Chair Friends of the Rail Park
Thanks for being PhillyChitChat readers
During the evening guests enjoyed a Sushi station and caricature drawings
Miller Parker, and Marjorie Ogilvie of the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center, guest and Charisse Lillie
Jim Werner and Mike Sheridan, Co-owners of Fagabond, a site for gay men who love to travel and who do not want to leave their sexuality at home.
Tajiri Smith, Co- Founder & Managing Partner at The Job Plugs and Karla Andude, Deloite met in August 2020 on the AC beach during the pandemic. Karla struck up a conversation with Tajiri asking him 3 questions of compatibility, after a few moments of course. Was he a sports fan: Yes. Ok they’d have something to talk about. Who was his favorite team, if he picked the Patriots she was going to pass on him. Turns out his favorite team is the Rockies, which is interested since he was from Long Island. Finally his favorite player was Michael Jordan’s as is hers. She decided he was a keeper. After a year of long distance dating, he moved to Wilmington De to live with her. He still works, commutes to NYC and is thankful he has a hybrid job. Sometimes I spend time with folks and I get to hear their story. Definitely a perk of my job. Have a great weekend… HughE
I like Laura Swartz’s review over at Philly Mag…. to make the exhibit more interactive, you’ll find more info in listening stations, photo ops and large tables made of screens with dials that allow you to learn more about things like individual characters and parks. Another interactive moment: a recreation of the “magic book” that begins 1959’s Sleeping Beauty — when you turn the giant pages, they also change on a big screen above, with animation and sound effects. But know going in: There is not a lot to “do,” especially for antsy little kids. (Philly Mag)
The day after the Eagles cliched the NFC Championship, Eagles clad folks gathered to celebrate the name change of The Center for Art in Wood to the Museum for Art in Wood on North 3rd Street in Old City. Go birds!!
Jennifer-Navva Milliken, Executive Director & Chief Curator
On January 30, the organization officially rebranded as the Museum for Art in Wood after undergoing an intensive and diligent planning process. The move allows the Museum to be further recognized by an international community of artists, scholars, and collectors as a critical resource in studying art, craft, and design in wood. It also reinforces the Museum for Art in Wood’s mission to stimulate and nurture creative engagements surrounding wood, an organic, shapeable, sustainable, and conceptually inspiring material.
“This organization has grown to become the world leader in building appreciation, awareness, and scholarship for art in wood,” said Jennifer-Navva Milliken, Museum for Art in Wood’s Executive Director and Chief Curator. “From its earliest days as the Wood Turning Center to its pivotal move to the current location in the cultural and historic heart of Philadelphia, this dynamic Museum has hosted groundbreaking exhibitions, built a distinctive and important collection and archives, and opened its doors to the wonder of creativity in wood to visitors locally, regionally, and internationally.
Vivian Chiu,speaks about being part of The Vessel exhibition going on through Feb 12th at the Museum
In addition to the rebranding, the organization is honored to announce a historic and transformative $10 million endowment from the Windgate Foundation, designated to strengthen the future of the Museum and allow the organization to expand its mission, programs, and plans for growth. $3.5 million of the gift is held as a named, designated endowment at the Arkansas Community Foundation with the remaining invested by the Museum for Art in Wood.
Jennifer D. Martin, Executive Director of The Clay Studio and Leila Cartier, Executive Director of CraftNOW Philadelphia attended the announcement and reception.
The museum’s collection holds 1,200 objects, and its research library contains 1,000 books and reading materials about the history of wood turning and woodworking.
Under the new branding, the Museum for Art in Wood will host an inaugural, community-focused, exhibition and shared-making project titled The Mashrabiya Project. The Project, which launches March 3 and features new works by international artists from across the Islamic world, was made possible by a project grant from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
The cornerstone of The Mashrabiya Project is Seeing Through Space, a multi-disciplinary exhibition featuring newly commissioned works from six female-identifying international artists. The Mashrabiya Project also includes interactive programming, a
shared-making experience, and a publication showcasing and exploring the significance of the wood- turned mashrabiya.
Curated by Milliken, this will be the first effort in the United States to examine this
Thanks to the speakers who came out to support the day includin Senator Nikil Saval, Mary Isaacson, 175th District, State Representative and Councilman Mark Squilla
architectural object and its prominence in Islamic and Egyptian craft while highlighting its greater cultural significance in contemporary art. The Museum for Art in Wood will present The Mashrabiya Project from March 3 to July 23, 2023, and host hybrid programming to encourage further public engagement and discussion.
Located in Old City, Museum for Art in Wood is open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday and is free of charge to all visitors.
Fever and Exhibition Hub produces the exhibition and includes over 80 original works, sculptures, installations, videos and photos including the now classics of the artist (presumed to be British), like the essential “Girl with Balloon”, similar to the one destroyed by the artist at the auctioneer Sotheby’s in London, his portrait of Lenin,
the “Fallen Angels” smokers cigarette or his explosive “Monkey Detonator”. Banksy has questioned the rules of the game of contemporary art and is considered today as one of the main figures of street art. These pieces come from private collections as well as in collaboration with Lilley Fine Art/Contemporary Art Gallery.
There are two spots inside the exhibit where you can let your Banksy energy flow with a bit of stenciling and graffiti.
There’s a gift shop at the end of the tour, right after you try out the VR experience.
Date: From December 3rd, 2022 until January 31st, 2023 Opening hours:
Monday, Thursday and Sunday : 10:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Friday, Saturday and Holidays : 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Duration: The visit lasts approximately 60 to 80 minutes Location: Fashion District Philadelphia Age requirement: All ages!
RIVERS CASINO PHILADELPHIA LAUNCHES ‘RIVERS SALUTES’ PROGRAM TO HONOR VETS AND CURRENT MILITARY MEMBERS ON VETERANS DAY
PHILADELPHIA — Nov. 9, 2022 — Rivers Casino Philadelphia is honoring vets and current military service members on Veterans Day with its new “Rivers Salutes” program — an initiative that celebrates guests for their duty and sacrifice. Additionally, the casino will honor Team Members for their military service.
Starting Friday, Nov. 11, and running through Wednesday, Nov. 30, guests who are veterans, military reserve, national guard and first responders can receive exclusive food, drink and gaming offerings. On Veterans Day, qualified Team Members will receive a thank-you gift bag that includes a special name tag with military branch designation, a restaurant gift card and a thank-you letter from Rivers Casino General Manager Justin Moore.
“Rivers Salutes is a small thank-you for our veterans and for everyone who’s currently serving our nation,” said Moore. “This is just the first step in a growing program that shows our appreciation and gratitude.”
Rivers Salutes Program
Special Rush Rewards Card – All veterans and current military members can visit Rush Rewards for an exclusive Rivers Salutes card to be used for special discounts and offers.
Dining Offer – Guests who present their Rivers Salutes card are eligible to receive 15% off their total purchase at any food outlet in Rivers Casino Philadelphia from Nov. 11 through Nov. 30.
For more information about Rivers Casino and the Rivers Salutes program, please visit RiversCasino.com/Philadelphia.
This week Philadelphia has once again transformed into Phillywood as another series is filming in our town. The Gilded Age is an American historical drama television series created and written by Julian Fellowes for HBO that is set in the United States during the Gilded Age, the boom years of the 1880s in New York City. The series premiered on January 24, 2022.[2] In February 2022, the series was renewed for a second season.[3] It has received mostly positive reviews, with particular praise for the costumes, cast and performances of lead actors Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector , Cynthia Nixon, Audra McDonald and Christine Baranski. Filming for the 2nd season began in Cohoes, NY in August, 2022.
And has made a stop in Philadelphia as well. I spotted folks in period pieces outside the Academy of Music on Thursday. Readers tell the they’ll be there for the next week filming interior scenes for the popular series. The Academy of Music, on the Kimmel Cultural Campus, has been mentioned several times in the Gilded Age as the famed opera house in Philadelphia. On set this week is Douglas Sills: Monsieur Baudin, and Celia Keenan-Bolger: Mrs. Bruce
Rainere Martin – The Ultimate Donna Summer Tribute
SUNDAY NIGHT, September 4th, Rivers Casino is Celebrating Labor Day with a Party on the Pier is a free event along the Delaware River capping off the summer on Sept. 4 begins at 6PM.
The event will feature food-truck favorites, like Smoke Break BBQ, Southern Style Seafood, Cousins Maine Lobster and Rita’s Italian Ice. A DJ will provide them music to kick off the night followed by a live performance by The Ultimate Donna Summer Tribute by Rainere Martin at 7:30 p.m.
For guests of all ages, there will be family-friendly games and activities, like cornhole, giant Connect 4 and Jenga, face painting and a balloon artist.
Then at 9 p.m. Fireworks will light up the sky over the Delaware River. Party goers can grab a spot along the riverwalk to view the colorful display. (For more Info) Free Parking!!
Last week the Kimmel Cultural Campus, Chef Jose Garces and Garces Events announced the return of Balcony Bar at The Kimmel. The Balcony Bar SIPS features a birds eye view of the Avenue of the Arts and City skyline, and happens every Wednesday, from 4:30pm to 7:00pm, for Center City SIPS. Guests will enjoy the city’s best views for free, plus beats from weekly rotating DJs, ticket giveaways, discounted drinks and happy hour bites. The Balcony Bar will offer up not just the vibes, but the best sips deals, with offerings priced between $4 and $6 each.
Dress is casual cool: Brenda Hillegas, Rowhome Magazine and Melanie Highbloom
Party on the Pier – Sunday, July 3 Get your groove on this summer with our riverfront 4th of July “Party on the Pier” Celebration on Sunday, July 3! The FREE family-friendly event will have food trucks, games, an Elton John tribute band, and ends with a dazzling fireworks finale at 9PM. DJ Gary O will kick off the party at 6PM!
Philly Food Ladies (Becca Neckwritz + Christina Mitchell)
Taylee Decastro and friend
Head to Center City District for more information on SIPS and shopping this year too!!
THE Middle of June is happening already, time is at warp speed. My favorite time of the year is coming up – July 4th, so many activities to celebrate our country, and a gathering of family and friends. Rivers Casino has a full calendar of fun events, and delicious food choices. For Father’s Day they are having a special: Join us at Jack’s Bar + Grill this Father’s Day for the $25 Grilled NY Strip special! I had it a few months ago when I went to see Taylor Dayne and it was delicious. What a great day to eat on the river with Dad!
Jack’s menu features favorites like the Liberty Bell Pretzel served with beer cheese and spicy mustard, and the Pecan Crusted Salmon served with a maple bourbon glaze, mashed potatoes, and sautéed green beans. Jack’s is also the Philadelphia home of Flipt Burgers, a Rivers original. These fully customizable burgers never disappoint! Jack’s Bar + Grill is the perfect casual bar on the water to sip on a signature cocktail, glass of wine or cold beer.
DJ, producer, and West Philly native DJ Jazzy Jeff continues his residency at Rivers Casino, with another free performance coming up Saturday, July 2, at 8 p.m. at the Jack’s Bar + Grill stage. The last show was packed, so get there early to get your grove on. INFO
DJ Jazzy Jeff is part of the upcoming entertainment at Rivers Casino, which is scheduled as follows:
Party On The Pier At Rivers Casino Philadelphia July 4th Weekend
Rivers Casino Philadelphia is having a Party on the Pier to celebrate the Fourth of July on Sunday, July 3, starting at 6 p.m. The event will feature live outdoor music by Elton Rohn: North America’s Premier Elton John Tribute Show, along with food, fun and fireworks, which will end the night at 9 p.m.
This free, kid-friendly event will also include games, face painting, balloon artists and plenty of free parking.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting another Party on the Pier in celebration of Independence Day,” said Justin Moore, general manager at Rivers Casino Philadelphia. “This family-friendly party has everything from music to treats and spectacular fireworks to close out a terrific event.” MORE INFO HERE
Stacy Stec, Marketing Manager at LOL Entertainment (the parent company of Museum of Illusions) , Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District, Rob Cooper, CEO of LOL Entertainment, ,Sheila Hess, City Representative for the City of Philadelphia and Jason Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at LOL Entertainment
A magical mystery museum opened this past weekend in Old City, the new 5000 square foot Museum of Illusions officially opened at 4th and Market ; it boasts 80+ visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereo-grams, optical illusions, immersive rooms and special Philly installations unique to this location.
Jonathan Benjamin. Chief Executive Officer at Museum of Illusions, Councilman Mark Squilla and Jason Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at LOL Ente
“We are very excited to be bringing the Museum of Illusions to Philadelphia and happy to be able to provide the city with such an engaging and exciting new museum concept,” said Rob Cooper, Philadelphia native and founder of LOL Entertainment, the parent company of the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia. “We are confident that people of all ages will love seeing and experiencing the Museum’s unique illusions and exhibits.”
I had a ball
Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District is just hanging around in the Anti-Gravity Room
Michael Newmuis, COS Visit Philly “climbs” a Philadelphia row home at the Museum of Illusions.
The Museum of Illusions MOI is for all ages and offers visual and educational exhibits designed to tease the senses. Visitors will learn about vision, perception, and the human brain and experience firsthand the science of how the eyes can trick the mind.
Janelle Burrell the morning and noon co-anchor of CBS3 Eyewitness News hung out for a bit.
We weren’t sure how this exhibit worked, until Ray suddenly ran into the adjoining room and crawled through a tunnel popping up for a feast for our eyes.
Top of the Morning To Youse My Friend…. St. Patrick’s Day is this week and the celebrations are underway at River’s Casino Philadelphia. There’s plenty to do, see, and enjoy on the property to celebrate.
The Young Dubliners (sometimes shortened to the Young Dubs) will get you in the mood as they perform Wednesday March 16 at the Event Center. The Young Dubliners is an Irish rock band formed in Los Angeles. Purchase your tickets in advance starting at $25 and enjoy a bar and live entertainment!
AllMusic.com states, “Their live shows a jam-like appeal, similar to the vibes of Phish and the Dave Matthews Band.”
Stop by Jack’s Bar + Grill for special St. Patrick’s Day Specials all month long: Irish Nachos $10 Guinness Burger $11 Shepherd’s Pie Soup $6 Corned Beef Reuben $12 Draft Green Beer $4 Guinness Bottles $4
The BetRivers Sportsbook will feature college basketball jersey drawings during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Guests who place wagers of $50 or more on college basketball will be entered into drawings to win old-school NCAA jerseys including James Harden’s Arizona State jersey.
On the screens you’ll find Flyers 7:00pm vs. Nashville, March Madness first round: 16 games .
Trae Young Oklahoma jersey drawing will occur.
Sportsbook Drink Specials Celebrating St Patrick’s Day All Month Long inlcude Draft Green Beer $5 and Guinness Bottles $4
Pick Up Your Free Swag at Jack’s Bar + Grill
Jack’s Free Swag include beads, hats, T-shirts, and Souvenir mugs
Teal Butterfly is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer by educating the public through community events and social media campaigns
Opening hours:
Duration: The visit lasts approximately 60 to 80 minutes
Location: Fashion District Philadelphia
Age requirement: All ages!
