Archive for February, 2009

PHILLY CHIT CHAT COVERS THE RED CARPET PARTY

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

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/

Posted by HughE Dillon at Monday, February 23, 2009

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Queer Times Weekley on the Red Carpet Party

Friday, February 6th, 2009

Thom Cardwell

What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell

copyright 2009

Red Carpet PartyThere’s nothing like a red carpet event and there’s no other annual event that commands a red carpet more that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ 81st Oscar Night, 8 p.m., February 22.


Our own gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community of the Philadelphia region will celebrate a brand new glamorous event with “The Red Carpet Party,” a “friend raiser” and benefit for Traverse Arts Project and its new Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival to be launched, May 28-June 1.


So, in 2009, let the party begin!  That’s the attitude that host Desiree Hines (and Festival Coordinator of Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival) has about the spectacular event that she has been planning with her troop of volunteers. First, she landed the central, upscale location, The Ethical Society Building in Rittenhouse Square. Next, she started soliciting sponsors like Specialty Group, LLC, and Rain Vodka.


Not surprisingly, her enthusiasm, dedication and passion are catchy; she next got City Paper to sign on as a media sponsor. Soon she had Franzia Wines, QUEERtimes, BUCKmonkey (yours truly) and ZipCar as more sponsors. As of this writing, she’s certain (and confident and determined enough) to have added even more sponsors to the benefit evening of glitz, glamour and celebrity (“We’re all stars,” she proclaims.)


For catering, Hines has obtained executive chef Amanda MacWilliams, former Grill Chef at the former Striped Bass Restaurant who created a lavish gourmet buffet. “The food, well, it’ll be amazing with the menu that MacWilliams is creating for the gala evening,” Hines said.


Red Carpet PartyThe evening’s festivities will include for all guests a Red Carpet interview at 7:45pm with Tony Lankford’s DOWNTOWN: The Actors Lounge and a personalized Red Carpet Photo produced by Lui Photography to take as a keepsake.


Following their Red Carpet time invited guests will join Traverse Arts Project in the Assembly Hall and Auditorium to enjoy viewing the awards ceremony while being treated to an open bar of Rain Vodka Cocktails, Franzia Wine, and Beer, a large selection of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and entertainment by DJ K-Tell.


“We have the entire first and second floors, and one of the side rooms at the Ethical Society for this event. SO, we can actually get a good crowd of 200 to 300 guests,” she said.


Hines said that festive attire will be the order of the day, from Black Tie Formal to Blue Jeans Chic. “This will allow anyone with a great sense of style to feel welcomed to the party,” she encouraged, “Be creative and spread the joy and fun.”

During the evening, there will be a few “choice” door prizes to give away, including a deluxe salon gift package, worth of a few hundred dollars, and a hotel package of three days/two nights at the sponsor hotel, Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Center City.


For ticket deals, Hines is partnering with CityPaper and QUEERtimes about offering special offers such as buy two for $75 and single tickets at $40. Regular advance tickets costs $50 per person; $75 per person at the door.


Proceeds of the Red Carpet Party will benefit Philadelphia GLBT Artists Festival and the nonprofit Traverse Arts Project.


For information or ticket purchases, visit traversetheater.org/oscar.htm

(This event is not an officially sanctioned AMPAS event)

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