Traverse Arts Project

Monday, February 23, 2009

OSCAR PARTY PHOTOS PHILADELPHIA Traverse Theater and Philadelphia Style Magazine

Last year I don’t recall one Oscar viewing party in Philadelphia, this year our cup runneth over and I was invited to at least four, I had planned to go to three of them but as time was limited I made it to two and am glad to share them with you today. I set out on this journey with cousin Jess, Andrew and my MikeThe first event we went to supported a new theater in Philadelphia called Traverse Arts Project (TAP) TThe festival goal is to promote the careers and visibility of independent, emerging and moderately established artists that identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender, or Queer. Almost 6 months ago I met a beautiful women named Desiree who told me about the Traverse Theater and how they were planning to have an Oscar party and if I could come out and cover it. I was excited as I recalled the years gone by party at the Franklin Institute and how I never went to them, and often watched the show alone at home or at my sister’s Tracy.

Then Desiree offered me an “Inkind” sponsorship with I wrote about the event beforehand, well that was a done deal I really believed in this event and planned to cover it so it was extra icing on the cake to get a sponsorship title which entailed me being listed in the booklet, mentioned on the website and Desiree even thanked me in public with the rest of the sponsors. That was kinda exciting to me, and of course will help drive peeps to my sight to check out the events around town, and my coverage. The event was held at the Ethical Center on Rittenhouse Square. An impressive diverse crowd came out which was awesome. In this economy it’s brave that a theater organization is willing to take a chance to do something creative, as well as creating a specific kinda of entertainment.
Checking out the scene was Doug Levering (who’s looking forward to Philly Beer Week) and Del Val Legacy Fund Treasurer, Josh Womer sporting a stylish hat. Looks good and not everyone can pull off that look. Me personally round head, made to look rounder with a hat like this.
A Trio of Style worthy of any red carpet. Christine Fisher, butterflies in hairband, Colleen Corcoran and smokin’ jacket Randall Woodruff
Shawn O’Shea, Tricia Bitetto, Sonja Washington, Roni and Jim Downey and Kimya Jackson
Jackie Siscone and model/actress Samantha Laurito
Mark Cunningham, Ken Tatters(?) sorry can’t read your writing, Leigh Simpson Stephanie M (‘Cause she doesn’t like to give her last name and I respect that)
Terese Balzereit, Director of International Marketing PA Tourism Office, Mark Beyerle and Steve Crain

Development director of PhilaCinefest (The Philadelphia CineFest, which is being organized and presented by TLA Entertainment Group, will run from March 26th to April 8th.), TD Hines and James Duggan publisher of QueerTimesSteve McCann of PhillyGayCalendar.com does the Red Carpet Duties
Just as I was about to run out to the next event the Gift Bags made their way downstairs. Thanks as always to all the sponsors including Ettore, Rain Organics, PhillyChitChat, PhillyGayCalendar, BuckMonkey, DJ K-Tell and Organic Rain Vodka. If you love reading PhillyChitChat and you have a few bucks to spare, I would love it if at some point you could donate a few dollars to this new project. The creators are a nice bunch, and I have never seen such an amazing effort to throw a fundraiser to kick off a dream these folks really believe in and I do too. Thanks http://www.traversetheater.org/festival/

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