The USO’s “Operation That’s My Dress” came to the Philadelphia area. A day of pampering for military daughters, spouses of military service people, as well as women in the military, the event took place at The Hotel ML Hotel and Conference Center in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, last week. The USO sponsors this day as a thank-you to the daughters and spouses of military service people for the sacrifices they make when their loved ones serve. The event was conceptualized and is co-sponsored with help from international fashion designer Sherri Hill, who provides thousands of new gowns and dresses to the ladies just in time for the fall social season, holiday parties and proms. The event began with a fashion show where winners of the Miss USA pageants modeled the dresses the girls would be able to choose from. After the show, the girls headed into the dress expo where there were thousands of dresses to review and pick from. Then it was onto the beauty bar, where they chose jewelry and fashion accessories. Finally, stylists provided hair and makeup demonstrations to give participants additional resources.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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On Tuesday night lifestyle tourism and fashion entrepreneur Chloe Johnston hosted the Bastille Day Fireman’s Ball at Local 22 Philadelphia Firefighters Union (415 N. 5th Street) to celebrate the French national day. Guests danced to tunes by DJ Mr. Hollywood while enjoying French-inspire fare, including crepes from Philly’s popular food truck, The Smooth Cow, and desserts from Bruleé Bakery. There was also a Best Dressed contest: Tyler Magura took home the honor for the men and Meredith West for the ladies. Fifteen percent of the proceeds from the raffle auction went to the Local 22 Fireman’s Widows Fund.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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Under the sweltering summer sun, officials from Bartram’s Gardens, dignitaries from the city and kids from the neighborhood helped “cut the vine” on Thursday to the newly restored Ann Bartram Carr Garden. The Garden is located in front of the newly renovated historic Bartram house and named after John Bartram’s granddaughter who took over the nursery in the early 19th century. The transformative $2.7-million project marks the first major garden restoration at Bartram’s Garden in nearly a century.

“To me, Ann Bartram Carr remains important because she opened Bartram’s Garden up to the general public and spread the  importance of horticulture and open spaces—ideals that are still dear to us 200 years later,” Bartram’s Garden Executive Director Maitreyi Roy said. Bartram’s Garden is a 45-acre National Historic Landmark, operated by the John Bartram  Association in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. Guided tours of the house and garden are offered Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. until December.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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The African American Chamber of Commerce of PA-NJ-DE, along with Mayor Jim Kenney and members of Philadelphia City Council, hosted a welcoming reception for members of the Congressional Black Caucus at Del Frisco’s Steakhouse last Tuesday. Many local politicians welcomed political officials to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention, including the honorable Wilson Goode Sr., State Rep. Jordan Harris, Councilwomen Helen Gym, Jannie Blackwell and Cindy Bass, and Lt. Gov. Mike Stack. The event honored G.K. Butterfield, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia Celebrity Invitational Golf Outing took place on Monday at Aronimink Golf Club in Newton Square on Sunday night. The celebrity golfers — including Dr. J, Mike Quick, Gerald Henderson, Sr. and Jr., Beesley Reece — were paired with the young adults from The First Tee program at a reception in the historic club house. Billy Cunningham, Michael Vick, Ron Jaworski, Aaron McKie and Ukee Washington also joined the next day. The First Tee is a national organization which provides young people with character-building and life skills lessons using golf as the platform.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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The biggest party of the year — Philadelphia magazine’s Annual Best of Philly — took place last Thursday night under the stars at Dilworth Plaza. Guests enjoyed food from Philadelphia’s best restaurants, mingled with Philly Mag’s best personalities and talented winners, enjoyed live entertainment from DJ Adrian Hardy and the Brian LaPann Band in the Mercedes Benz VIP Tent, and were sketched by Best of Philly winner Denise Fike Designs. The party was hopping all night. During the last half-hour, guests started dancing in the fountain, which seems to have become a tradition since Philly Mag began having the party at Dilworth Park.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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On Thursday night 5,000 people brought their own white tables, tablecloths, chairs and meals to take part in the 5th anniversary of Dîner en Blanc, a pop-up picnic and worldwide epicurean phenomenon. Local residents and friends Natanya DiBona and Kayli Moran saw the chic pop-up Dîner en Blanc take place in Paris and Montreal and, when it moved to New York in 2011, they wanted to be a part of it and thought it would be great in Philadelphia.

The first Philadelphia Dîner en Blanc was held in August 2012 for 1,300 guests at Logan Fountain. The destination was a secret until the guests were led there by a Dîner en Blanc table leader. This year guests had the option of bringing their own food or ordering beforehand and picking up their meal up from caterers on the scene. This year’s caterers were 33rd Street Hospitality Catering, Reading Terminal Market and Luke Palladino Catering. Apothic Wines, as the official wine sponsor of the 2016 US Diner en Blanc series, gave out wine samples to diners. Entertainment for the evening included Hot Club Philly, the band that performed at the very first Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia, The Soul of Philly featuring Tiffany Jones, DJ Sean Smoove, roving musicians, artists, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, and the Mad Beatz drumline.

View previous installments of Dîner en Blanc: 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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The annual Battle of the Burger presented by Budweiser concluded last night with a party at Citizen Bank Park, where attendees voted for the winner of the last two choices from a field that started out with 20 restaurants’ burgers in July. The online competition started on July 5th and ended on July 25th. Readers of Philadelphia Magazine voted once a day for their favorite burger from restaurants located in the Philadelphia area, with the top two battling it out last night. Attendees at the event were able to sample both of the top burgers, enjoy a Budweiser, play fun bar games, meet the Clydesdale horses, pose in the photo booth and run the bases on the field and hang out in the Phillies dugout.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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Einstein Healthcare Network continued its year-long celebration of its 150 years caring for the healthcare needs of Philadelphia at its Great Thinkers Series, a series of short, powerful talks Thursday, September 8th, at the National Museum of Jewish American History. New York Times best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and contributor on ABC’s Good Morning America, Tory Johnson served as the moderator and keynote speaker. 

The evening began with a cocktail party and light bites before guests headed to the ballroom where discussions included “The Power of Deliberate Listening” with award-winning Philadelphia Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky, “Surviving and Thriving in Style” panel discussion with Jenice Armstrong, Pop culture critic and award-winning Philadelphia Daily News columnist; Janet Ko, MD, assistant program director of the OB/GYN residency program, Einstein Healthcare Network; and Ann Whitehouse, PsyD, bariatric program psychologist, Einstein Healthcare Network and “Delivering Tough News” with Douglas McGee, DO, chief academic officer and nationally recognized emergency medicine physician.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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Last night nearly 300 fashionistas celebrated King of Prussia Bloomingdale’s store’s 35th birthday while raising funds to support the Vetri Community Partnership. Guests enjoyed light bites by the Vetri Foundation and beverages from Kevin Sbraga’s Fat Ham (which opens next week at the King of Prussia Mall). There was a runway show starring Bloomindale’s newest designers and the biggest trends of the fall season with live commentary by fashion blogger Alisa Frederico, who curated the show.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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Steppingstone Scholars, Inc. celebrated the new academic year with its annual Fall Gala under the bright lights at Dilworth Park on Saturday night, September 17th. During the gala, guests enjoyed Garces Group catering with hors d’oeuvres, a seated dinner, delicious desserts and cocktails. Steppingstone honored PECO for their guidance and partnership with Steppingstone Scholars over the past 16 years.  The College of Education at Temple University was also honored with the Outstanding School Partner Award. There was also an informative live on-stage interview with students who participate in the scholars program. Funds raised from the gala helps Steppingstone Scholars broaden the sustainability of its programs and pursue other ways to impact underserved students and families across Philadelphia.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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On Saturday, September 17th at the Logan Hotel, “#LOL for ALZ,” was held to raise money for Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter and Hilarity for Charity, founded by Seth and Lauren Rogen in partnership with the Alzheimer’s  Association.  The event started with a cocktail party and auction.  After the cocktail party, guests were led to the ballroom for dinner and short program emceed by Karen Rogers, 6ABC. Former NBC Saturday Night Live writer and comedian John Mulaney had the guests in stitches to close out the night in laughter. Olympic gold medalist Jeff Henderson, who won an Olympic gold medal in the long jump during the Rio Games this summer, joined for the evening. The Arkansas native dedicated his gold medal accomplishment to his mother, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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The Opera Philadelphia Gala was the perfect event to kick off the Philadelphia social season on Friday night. Nearly 350 guests converged at Dilworth Park by 5 p.m. to enjoy cocktails and light bites on the plaza. Dinner was served around 6:45 p.m. under a big tent beautifully decorated by An Affair to Remember to reflect the lavish production of Puccini’s Turandot, the opening production for Opera Philadelphia’s 42nd season. By 8 p.m., guests were taken to the Academy of Music by trolley to watch the rousing production lasting two hours and 35 minutes (starring Christine Goerke, Marco Berti and Joyce El-Khoury) before returning to Dilworth Park for dancing and dessert. On October 1st, at 7 p.m., Opera Philadelphia will host the 6th Annual Opera on the Mall (Independence Mall) and show a broadcast of Turandot. It’s free, but registration to attend is required at Opera Philadelphia.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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Les Dames d’Escoffier honored Philadelphia culinary pioneer Chef Esther McManus on Sunday, September 25th at the inaugural “Outstanding in Her Field” dinner party, a new annual event to recognize talented women making a difference in the region’s culinary field. The locally sourced harvest farm dinner was set amidst the vines of the Inn of Grace Winery in Glen Mills and paired with its fine wines. Guests sat at a long table beautifully set with white tablecloths and were served dinner prepared by Esther’s friends, colleagues and students. Outstanding in Her Field not only honored McManus, but also raised funds for a Les Dames’ educational scholarship and Green Tables initiative. A few notable chefs were on hand for the honorary dinner including George Perrier,  Claire Boasi, Susanna Foo, Aliza Green, and Geno Vento.

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James, a new eatery at 1835 Arch Street, celebrated its opening with a party last Wednesday with friends and family. The restaurant is named after James Logan, the Irish-born colonial American statesman who served as the fourteenth mayor of Philadelphia. James serves a modern American cuisine including dishes such as steak, lamb, double cut pork chop, and lobster ravioli. There’s a separate bar menu as well, which serves food until midnight and includes favorites BBQ beef shortrib tacos and The James Burger. Chef Michael Suminski, formerly of Mac’s Tavern, runs the kitchen. James owners Eric Vesotsky, Ben Haney, and Ronald Donatucci Jr. are also part owners of Mac’s Tavern.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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The Wistar Institute Discovery Gala was held Friday night at The Logan Hotel. The fun-filled science event highlighted past and future Wistar discoveries while raising funds for cutting-edge biomedical research. Where else could you bid on paintings of collagen and cancer cells, as well as check out what’s under the microscopes at discovery tables nearby, or enjoy fresh air at the Oxygen Bar. The fundraiser was co-hosted by Wistar’s Leadership Council and Ambassadors committees and featured dinner stations, open bar, dancing to the tunes of  The Kyle-Tully Experience. Funds raised by this gala support impactful research discoveries to advance cures for cancer, HIV and infectious disease.

The post The Wistar Institute Discovery Gala appeared first on Philadelphia Magazine.

A rare night out for the new parents Elizabeth and Todd Herremans with Heather Mitts and AJ Feeley, both couples just had baby girls 6 months ago.

On October 1, 2016 Estia celebrated Philadelphia’s inaugural Greek Wine Week (10/17 – 10/21) at their restaurant at 1405-1407 Locust Street.  Nearly 250 people attended the event which benefited the newly launched Hellenic Hearts charity.

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On Thursday, October 6, 2016 Gaudenzia, a drug and alcohol treatment program for men and women in the Philadelphia area, held their 2016 Gaudenzia/Gustave G. Amsterdam Community Champion Award Dinner at the Crystal Tea Room. This year’s recipients is a family you might have heard of, The Decker Family, Tad, Candy and Samantha from Gladwyne, Pa; while their individual contributions to the community at large are extensive and impressive, their commitment to serving the greater good was evident when they decided to publicly expose the tragic loss of their son and brother, John Decker, to addiction in his obituary in January 2016. Many friends, family and community leaders attended the event to support the Decker family, which included a cocktail party, a sit down dinner with a program highlighting the services Gaudenzia provides and the award program. Honorary Co-Chairs of the event were The Honorable Patrick Meehan, U.S. Representative, The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, Former Governor of Pennsylvania; event chairs Craig L. Adams, Executive Vice President, Exelon President and CEO, PECO, Daniel J. Hilferty, President and CEO, Independence Blue Cross and Tom Spann, Founder and Vice Chairman, Accolade.  The committee was made up of the who’s who of business people and thought leaders of the City including the Honorable Ronald D. Castille, Former Chief Justice, Pennsylvania Supreme Court , Stephen A. Cozen, Chairman, Cozen O’Connor,  Jody McNeil Lewis, Vice Chair at Large, Board of Directors, Philadelphia Zoo, David Montgomery, Chairman, Philadelphia Phillies  and Bruce W. Ficken, Partner, Pepper Hamilton LLP, and Anita Ficken

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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1,300 people attended the 2nd Annual Philly Fights Cancer on October 15th at Legacy Youth Tennis. The celebration raised over $3 million to support translational research and clinical trials at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. Guests enjoyed a cocktail party, a photo-booth, and a seated dinner in the  beautifully transformed tennis hall, by Evantine Designs, lighting by Eventions. During the Brûlée catered dinner there was plenty of entertainment, including a program by comedian Tig Notaro, who shared with the audience that she was a four-year cancer survivor. Also on the bill was Oscar-winning songstress Jennifer Hudson and legendary singer-songwriter Lionel Richie. Nancy Abramson Wolfson and Madlyn Abramson were co-chairs of the gala, which honored renowned oncologist Dr. John H. Glick and philanthropist Sharyn Berman.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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DesignPhiladelphia took place over a 10 day period (10/6 – 10/16) with hundreds of events, exhibitions, lectures, workshops and programs that demonstrated how design can strengthen our connections to places, to ourselves, to the environment. As part of DesignPhiladelphia, Millésimé & Ligne Roset & Arclinea Kitchens celebrated its one year anniversary Friday night, October 14th, at 33 North 2nd Street Old City. Guests enjoyed libations, AG Catering delights and music as they browsed the 2016 Best of Philly winner’s collection of modern and contemporary furniture, lighting and home accessories. DesignPhiladelphia’s goal is to celebrate and promote Philadelphia as a design capital and destination. The event is always held in October, so mark your calendar for next year.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

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