Mural Arts Love Letter Love Train

Mural Arts celebrates the five-year anniversary of its landmark Love Letter project and marriage equality in Pennsylvania with the final iteration of Love Train on Sunday, February 8, 2015 from noon to 3 p.m. Jump on for a privately chartered, slow-speed, guided tour of the 50 rooftop murals along the Market-Frankford SEPTA line in West Philadelphia, painted by artist Stephen Powers and ICY Signs. The Honorable Daniel J. Anders, Philadelphia’s first openly gay male judge, will wed one same-sex couple aboard the train during the Love Letter tour. A sparkling catered dessert reception will follow at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. Love Train 2015 is a one-of-a-kind, can’t-miss ride. Book your tickets now to witness a landmark moment in Philadelphia’s LGBTQ history! Visit: muralarts.org or call 215.925.3633, ext. 16. Tickets: $35 per person, $60 per couple Space is limited and tickets are nontransferable.  Check in at 11:30 a.m. Tour leaves promptly at noon.

Simon’s Soiree – An Event for the Heart

On Saturday, February 7, Simon’s Fund will host over 450 attendees for the sixth annual Simon’s Soiree. The premiere sold out event will raise over $200,000 to bring awareness about the warning signs and conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death in children. Guests will be treated to cocktails, dinner and auction items benefiting Simon’s Fund. Award winning sportscaster Michael Barkann will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The Protect This Heart Award will be presented to Dr. Frank Marchlinski and to NCAA basketball star Allan Chaney; for more information or to donate visit: www.simonsfund.org.

Shop for CHOP

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia announces Shop for CHOP, a regional program to benefit the Friends of CHOP. Shop for CHOP will occur on February 5 through 7 at 19 independent retailers throughout the greater Philadelphia region who will donate up to 20 percent of proceeds to the Friends of CHOP. Shop for CHOP is a preview for Cheers for CHOP, the 1,000-person fundraiser for the Friends of CHOP that will be held on February 28 at The Valley Forge Casino Resort with a special performance by Salt-N-Pepa. Shop for CHOP is intended to raise funds for the hospital while directing Cheers attendees and the public, towards an edited collection of the region’s best independent retailers for cocktail attire and accessories.

Participating retailers include:

Atelier, 1921 Walnut Street, Philadelphia

Barbara Ellick, 705 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth

Bedazzled, 218 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square

Ella’s Grove, 876 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr

First Impressions, 470 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill

Gabrielle, 200 Monument Road, Bala Cynwyd

Henry A. Davidsen, 1701 Spruce Street, Second floor, Philadelphia

Hope Chest, 1937 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Joan Shepp, 1811 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Julie’s Bottega, 156 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd

Knit Wit, 905 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr

Knit Wit, 1729 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Puttin’ On The Ritz, 470 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill

Rowen, 105 North Narberth Avenue, Narberth

Sheridan Square, 360 Montgomery Avenue, Merion Station

Skirt, 931 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr

Sophy Curson, 122 South 19th Street, Philadelphia

Third Street Habit, 153 North Third Street, Philadelphia

Wayne Edwards Workshop, 1710 Sansom Street, Second floor, Philadelphia (Feb 10-17)

Annual Nest Tweetheart Social

On Friday, February 13, join the annual Nest Tweetheart Social benefiting PAWS, a pre-Valentine’s party for families from 4:00 to 6:30p.m. The guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres from Private Chef Chris Gouty, a candy bar and photo booth. Children will make “love potion” jars to take home, snack on heart shaped Rice Krispy treats, dance in the upstairs party room and meet loveable animals available for adoption through PAWS (who will be held in a private room). A silent auction will benefit PAWS.  Wine and beer will be served for adults. Guests are requested to bring any of the following items to donate to PAWS: bleach, laundry detergent, paper towels, heavy duty trash bags, clay cat litter, Kong brand dog toys, canned dog, cat and kitten food (no dry food please), cat and kitten toys, fleece blankets, new or used dog crates and carriers of all sizes. TICKETS: $35 per family; $30 for basic and green Nest members. Nest purple members can attend at no charge, but a donation for PAWS is requested. Tickets are available at www.nestphilly.com. Discounted parking is available at the EZ Park lots at 1309 Locust Street and 1213-1219 Walnut Street.

On Friday, January 23, Hip-Hop and R&B icons T.I. and Ne-Yo, who have collaborated on a new single “One More,” off of Ne-Yo’s forthcoming LP, Non-Fiction, were spotted dining at The Forge’s coveted private dining room, Board Room.  The artists enjoyed an evening of laughter, good food and the sounds of resident DJ, Maxwell Blandford with a group of close friends. Eva Longoria was spotted having lunch at Makoto, Bal Harbour, with a group of friends.

John Colabelli, Jeff Benjamin, Garrett Snider, Marc Vetri

On Wednesday, January 21, the Garrett Getlin Snider Foundation, the Vetri Foundation for Children and Philadelphia’s top VIPs, philanthropists and chefs gathered at the Rittenhouse Hotel for a very special evening hosted by Garrett Snider, to benefit Vetri Foundation for Children. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, while learning about the Vetri Foundation’s “Eatiquette” program. “Eatiquette” helps schools provide healthy, scratch made meals while working within the federal guidelines for the National School Lunch Program. Students eat family style, allowing them to practice life skills such as teamwork, communication, manners and portion control while receiving fresh, nutritious lunches; For more information, visit www.vetrifoundation.org. Read the rest of this entry »

The National YoungArts Foundation’s annual Backyard Ball on January 10, raised more than $1.7 million to directly support the organization’s contributions to the artistic development of talented young artists from around the nation.  Master teachers such as James Caan, Phylicia Rashad, Jeff Koons, Sylvia Plachy, Livingston Taylor, Tierney Sutton, Rebecca Walker, Desmond Child and Carrie Mae Weems, worked with 170 YoungArts finalists during the week leading up to the ball and attended the party on the YoungArts campus.

Belvedere Vodka recently hosted a star-studded poolside party for Jeremy Scott’s book launch hosted by fashion house Moschino at The Thompson Hotel Miami Beach. Over 400 guests attended including Miley Cyrus, A$AP Rocky,  Nicky Hilton, Mr. Brainwash and Flaming Lips front man, Wayne Coyne. Robert Pattison, girlfriend FKA twigs and four other friends dined at Katsuya at SLS South Beach.

The Board of Trustees of the Barnes Foundation announced that they have named Thomas “Thom” Collins as the new Executive Director and President of the Barnes Foundation. An innovative educator, accomplished art historian, administrator and author, Mr. Collins, a Philadelphia native, has more than 20 years of experience at some of America’s top arts institutions. He comes to the Barnes after serving for five years as director of the Pérez Art Museum Miami, Florida (PAMM). At PAMM, Mr. Collins oversaw construction of the new Herzog & de Meuron-designed building located in downtown Miami, which opened to great acclaim in December 2013. During his tenure, the museum achieved an overwhelming increase in membership, annual giving, attendance, and major gifts, published important exhibition and collection catalogs, added significant works of art to the collection, and began in-house production of critical new digital education tools.

“It will be a privilege to lead the Barnes Foundation in its next chapter,” said Mr. Collins. “With its world-class collection, critically acclaimed new building, award-winning programs, growing membership and engaging array of courses in art and horticulture, the Barnes has become increasingly accessible to a more diverse audience than ever before. I look forward to working with the staff and Trustees to further its mission.”

Prior to joining PAMM, Mr. Collins served for five years as director of the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase, New York. Mr. Collins’ tenure at the Neuberger Museum of Art was highlighted by significant growth in attendance and annual giving, and the creation of major endowments for new programming initiatives and capital improvements. He also oversaw the museum’s exhibitions, permanent collection displays, and a far-reaching platform of community-based educational programs for school children and adults in Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

Before heading the Neuberger Museum, Mr. Collins served as director of the Contemporary Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, 2003–2005; chief curator at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, 2000-2003; associate curator at the Henry Art Gallery in Seattle, Washington, 1998-2000; and Newhall Curatorial Fellow at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, 1994-1997.

Mr. Collins earned his MA in Art History from Northwestern University and his BA with honors in Art History and the History of Religion from Swarthmore College. He currently holds memberships in the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Association of Art Museum Curators, and the College Art Association. For more information visit: www.barnesfoundation.org.

Siena Tavern Miami was a celebrity Mecca on New Year’s Day, as celebrity chef Fabio Viviani hosted actor Chase Crawford, WB’s Arrow star Colton Haynes,  JC Chasez , Gotham star Ben McKenzie,  Ryan Phillippe, and Glee’s Matthew Morrison.

Debra Messing rang in the New Year with a party of 10 at Midtown Miami’s Bocce Ristorante.

Ryan Phillippe was also spotted at the SLS South Beach and Hyde Beach. Seen at Thompson Miami Beach for Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution were:  Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Fall Out Boy, Fifth Harmony, The Band Perry, Becky G, La La Anthony, Rocsi Diaz, Benjamin McKenzie, Ed Weeks, Lamorne Morris, Taraji P. Henson and Lee Daniels.

Entertainer, Nick Cannon DJed at WALL lounge at the W South Beach on New Year’s Eve.