Legend Tom Jones Plays Two Philadelphia Shows: Non-Comm and TLA

Tom Jones sang at Non-Comm on May 16, will play the TLA on May 17

By A.D. AMOROSI

Last night, Tom Jones did the unusual. In a room filled with music industry professionals and radio programmers at the 13th annual Non-Commvention at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, the nearly 73-year-old Jones amazed a crowd that has seen and heard everything. All he had to do was use his soulful, handsomely burnished voice in ways powerful and subtle. He'll repeat that trick tonight, May 17, with "An Evening with Tom Jones" concert at South Street’s Theater of the Living Arts (aka TLA, 334 South St., Philadelphia, PA).

Indochino “Traveling Tailor” Brings Custom Made Menswear to the Masses

Fabric selections at Indochino "Traveling Tailor" pop-up

By GLAMOROSI

This week, Indochino - the Vancouver-based, made-to-measure, internet-based, men’s fashion salon - began its Philadelphia journey. Their goal: to take what company co-founders Kyle Vucko and Heikal Gani revolutionized in regard to connecting e-buyers with custom-made suits, shirts and chinos fashioned from only the finest materials, into a more personal realm. With that, Indochino introduces the “Traveling Tailor,” offering online buyers the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the brand by customizing that experience with stylists and fitters. In Philly, Indochino’s “Traveling Tailor” has settled into the grand space at 1518 Walnut with a pop-up shop from May 10-27.

'Dance Moms' Tell-All, Part 2 Reunion Focuses on Asia Ray, Sophia Lucia

Kristie watches Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller do Asia Ray's makeup

By GLAMOROSI

Dance Moms “Tell-All, Part Two” (episode 20) is the conclusion of the mid-season 3 reunion show. It is hosted by Executive Producer, Jeff Collins, and features studio owner Abby Lee Miller and the Dance Moms revealing the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding their hit show. “Tell-All, Part One” focused on the fights between moms Christi and Kelly, and Abby and her nemesis, Cathy Nesbitt-Stein. “Tell-All, Part Two” hones in on the group’s feelings about newcomers Kristie and her daughter Asia Ray, and Jackie and her daughter Sophia Lucia. Cathy makes a return appearance on this episode, they all field questions from the audience, and the dancelings from the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) perform. This is the last new Dance Moms footage until June, 4, 2013, when Lifetime begins airing the second half of season 3.

Jared Leto and Thirty Seconds to Mars Perform Secret Concert in Philly

Thirty Seconds to Mars

By A.D. AMOROSI

Last night in Philadelphia, actor Jared Leto, his brother Shannon, and the rest of their band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, celebrated their upcoming album Love Lust Faith + Dreams (EMI, May 21) with a secret free concert at the Temple University Performing Arts Center for radio station WRFF 104.5 FM.

Dancing with the Stars Semi-Final: Jacoby Jones, Aly Raisman Tie at #1 - Updated with Elimination Results

(L to R) Jacoby Jones, Aly Raisman and Karina Smirnoff

By GLAMOROSI

On last night's Dancing with the Stars semi-final performance show (season 16, week 9), the five remaining couples competed in two rounds: first with their regular ballroom number, then with a dance style selected by the public via Twitter votes.  Four dances earned perfect scores, and in the end Superbowl champion Jacoby Jones and Olympic gymnast Alexandra Raisman tied at the top of the leaderboard with 59, and actor Ingo Rademacher was at the bottom with 51. Tonight (May 14) the viewer's votes will be added in, and one contestant will be eliminated; look for an update at the bottom of this post after the results show airs.

UPDATE: Click "Read More", then scroll down to the bottom of the article to see who was eliminated on the DWTS results show.

All-Star Celebrity Apprentice Recap S6 E11: Lil Jon, Lisa Rinna Fired

Joan Rivers, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump on season 6 of NBC's All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

By A.D. AMOROSI

For season 6, episode 11 of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, titled “May the Spoon Be with You”, Donald Trump wastes no time in firing two of the semifinalists - Lisa Rinna and Lil Jon - within the first ten minutes. He then gives the final two contestants, Penn Jillette and Trace Adkins, the task of creating and promoting a new flavor of Walgreens Delish brand ice cream. Ivanka Trump and 2009 Celebrity Apprentice winner Joan Rivers are task advisors.

Fat Jack's BBQ and Lucky's Last Chance Win Philadelphia Burger Brawl

Judge's Choice Winners, Fat Jack's BBQ, Philadelphia Burger Brawl 2013

By GLAMOROSI

Normally our Italian Market neighborhood smells like garlic and scampi, but this past weekend on Sunday, May 5, the area was fragrant with the aroma of the third annual Philadelphia Burger Brawl competition taking place a few blocks over at the Fleischer Art Memorial. The event was started in 2011 by Rob and Maggie Wasserman of Rouge restaurant to raise funds for computer labs for Philadelphia's public elementary schools. The 2013 Brawl showcased over twenty-five restaurants grilling their best burgers for a sold-out crowd of 700-plus attendees.

'Dance Moms' Season 3 Tell-All, Part One Reunion Recap: Abby vs. Cathy

Abby Lee Miller from Dance Moms

By GLAMOROSI

On the Dance Moms season 3, episode 19 reunion show titled “Tell-All, Part One”, Executive Producer Jeff Collins sits down with Abby Lee Miller and the Moms for a behind-the-scenes look at the first half of this year’s dramatic run. Christi and Kelly talk about their friendship and their falling out, which leads to discussion of Christi and her daughter Chloe, and their suspension from the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC). Abby gets so angry she leaves the stage! This reunion has its lighter moments too: the cast answers audience questions, and the dancelings from the ALDC perform. Dance Moms "Tell-All Part Two" will air next week, then according to our sources at Lifetime, the second half of Dance Moms season 3 will begin on June 4, 2013.

Dancing with the Stars: Zendaya Gets Perfect Score; Len Loses his Cool - Updated with Elimination Results

Zendaya, Val Chmerkovskiy and Gleb Savchenko of DWTS

By GLAMOROSI

On Dancing with the Stars week 8, the six remaining celebrities performed one dance with their pro partner, then each couple selected a pro who was eliminated or in the DWTS troupe to participate in a trio. By night's end, Disney star Zendaya had earned the first perfect score of the season (three 10s) and was at the top of the leaderboard; Bachelor star Sean Lowe was at the bottom. Also, this week head judge Len Goodman lost his cool during his critique of Kellie Pickler's trio with Derek Hough and Tristan MacManus; click "read more" then scroll to the the bottom of this article to see a video of their dance and watch Len yelling at Derek about the choreography, and then telling fellow judge Bruno Tonioli, "You can't talk unless you stand up - your vocal cords are stuck up your (expletive)!"

UPDATE: Click "Read More" then scroll down to the bottom of the article to see who was eliminated on week 8 of Dancing with the Stars. 

Philadelphia Art Alliance Showcases Wetherill Mansion with Fundraiser

(L to R) Former PA Governor Ed Renell and Chef Nicholas Elmi at The Philadelphia Art Alliance

By A.D. AMOROSI

On Friday, Rittenhouse Square’s Philadelphia Art Alliance (PAA) held a fundraiser, “Spring at the Mansion”, with urban planner Janice Woodcock (PAA Executive Interim Director) and publicist Nicole Cashman (PAA Board Member/Event Chair) as its hosts. A handsome crowd showed for the event, led by former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, his young philanthropist son, Jesse, Greater Philadelphia Film Office boss Sharon Pinkenson and her husband, Electronic Ink Chairman Joe Weiss. Beyond celebrity, the intimate crowd was there to celebrate the past and the future of what that property was first known as: The Wetherill Mansion.

'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice' Recap S6 E10: Marilu Henner Fired

Trace Adkins, Lil Jon and Marilu Henner on All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

By A.D. AMOROSI

For season six, episode ten of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice titled “The Mayor of Stress Town,” the women face off: Team Power’s Marilu Henner vs. Plan B’s Lisa Rinna. Their task entails designing a Foxwoods Resort-themed suite at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, plus hosting a party there with guests Lisa Lampanelli, Teller (Penn Jillette’s partner) and John Rich, 2011’s Celebrity Apprentice winner. At the episode’s end, Marilu Henner was fired for her efforts.

Down Dog Healing Café Moving into Philadelphia’s Italian Market Area

Down Dog Healing Café in Philadelphia's Italian Market area

By A.D. AMOROSI

The property at the corner of 10th and Carpenter in Philadelphia’s Italian Market area has been a neighborhood social club, three different coffee houses with three separate owners, and an Egyptian eatery, all within the last ten years. That’s good for variety’s sake, but bad for business. Now, it looks as if another coffee shop, the Down Dog Healing Café, will be opening at that location.

Review: Kurt Vile Releases Stunning New Album 'Wakin on a Pretty Daze'

Kurt Vile

By A.D. AMOROSI

When label co-owner Gerard Cosloy signed Lansdowne, PA native Kurt Vile to Matador Records, he issued a press release declaring the singer “one of the more important figures in American music.” If Vile’s first (Childish Prodigy) or second (Smoke Ring for My Halo) album for Matador didn’t sufficiently prove Cosloy’s statement, it is Vile’s stunning, slow, vibe-heavy new record, Wakin on a Pretty Daze that does the trick.

'Dance Moms' Season 3 Finale, Candy Apple Showdown: Will Abby Move to LA

Dance Moms cast from left to right: Jill, Christie, Kelly, Melissa and Holly

By GLAMOROSI

On episode 18 of Dance Moms - the midseason 3 finale titled "Candy Apple Showdown" – we pick up where we left off last week, with the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) is in NYC preparing for the Masters of Dance competition. Abby nemesis Cathy Nesbitt-Stein from the Candy Apples Dance Center (CADC) is there too, and she has Anthony Burrell choreographing for her team. Also on this episode, we see the new CADC girl Victoria dance for the first time (she's absolutely lovely), and Zack from Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC) does a solo.

East Passyunk Flavors of the Avenue Festival Thrills Philly Food Fans

Scenes from the 2013 East Passyunk Flavors of the Avenue event

By GLAMOROSI

On Saturday, April 27, in South Philadelphia, the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) launched the 6th annual Flavors of the Avenue event featuring 25 area restaurants. Down Passyunk Avenue on the same day, Crafty Balboa held their 5th annual artisan fair. Festival organizers confirm 1000 guests participated in the 2013 Flavors event under the tent, and estimate an additional 1500 people were at Crafty Balboa. Attendees included celebrities Jennifer Zavala and Jennifer Carroll, both Top Chef contestants, and some Crafty Balboa patrons did a double-take seeing Project Runway’s first winner, Jay McCarroll, manning a booth.

'Dancing with the Stars' Recap Week 7: Kellie Pickler Wins Immunity - Updated with Elimination Results

Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler on Dancing with the Stars

By GLAMOROSI

On Dancing with the Stars Week 7, the seven remaining couples performed Latin dances for judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Once the scores were tallied, Kellie Pickler and Alexandra Raisman were tied at the top of the leaderboard, but Pickler had the highest cumulative score for this season, so she and her pro partner Derek Hough w immunity from this week’s elimination. The remaining teams participated in a Dance-Off Challenge, and as it progressed, judges added three points to each winning couple’s scores. The evening also featured performances by Latin Grammy winning artist Juanes.

UPDATE: Click "read more" then scroll down to the bottom of the article to see who was eliminated on the DWTS Week 7 results show.

Philadelphia’s Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival Ends with Glamorous Gala

Kathy Zapp of Montgomery Media and Kazumi Teune, Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia

By GLAMOROSI

Every year the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia takes place in April with parties and exhibits taking place throughout the city. This weekend, on April 26, the month-long calendar of events came to a close with the 2013 Blossom Bash, a gala held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt at the Bellevue.

'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice' Recap S6 E9: Trump Fires Gary Busey

Gary Busey, Lisa Rinna and Penn Jillette on All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

By A.D. AMOROSI

For season 6, episode 9 of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, titled “Ahab's in Charge, and He's Gone Mad,” each team must create a video for LG's Smart Home and Home Entertainment Systems. Team Power Project Manager Lil Jon goes up against Plan B’s Gary Busey, and 2009 Celebrity Apprentice winner Joan Rivers returns as one of Donald Trump’s advisors. This all seems like fun, especially since Busey is at his barking-goofball best, but the actor sours proceedings by mistreating crew members and his teammates. In the end, Busey is fired for producing a lousy video.

Chef Joncarl Lachman to Open Noord Restaurant in Philadelphia on May 8

Scenes from the Noord pop-up at The Farm and Fisherman in Philadelphia

By GLAMOROSI

Chef Joncarl Lachman held a pop-up dinner for Noord, his upcoming Northern European restaurant, at the Farm and Fisherman in Philadelphia on Monday night. While the East Passyunk-based Noord got finishing touches like new windows and stoves in preparation for its opening (between May 6 and 10), Lachman, his partner Bob Moysan, and the staff at Farm and Fisherman delighted diners with the Dutch and Finnish-inspired menu. Erin Kautza, who worked with Lachman in Chicago, was a server for the event.

UPDATE: In our correspondence on April 30, Lachman stated that Noord was scheduled for a May 8 opening.

'Dance Moms' Recap Season 3 Episode 17: Abby Lee Miller Hosts 'The View'

The Abby Lee Dance Company from Dance Moms in NYC for The View

By GLAMOROSI

Last week on Dance Moms Miss Abby told the girls of the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) that she was invited to co-host The View (ABC), and that they would be performing their award winning routine, “The Last Text”. This week on season 3, episode 17 of Dance Moms titled “The View from the Top”, they all head to NYC for the show, but which of the ALDC’s tiny dancers will be on camera, Mackenzie, who has been sidelined with an injured foot, or Asia Ray, who has had the part in rehearsals? Meanwhile, Abby nemesis Cathy-Nesbitt Stein is also in The Big Apple, where she and choreographer Anthony Burrell hold auditions for a contemporary dancer.

'Dancing with the Stars' Recap Week 6: Kellie Pickler Tops Leaderboard - Updated with Elimination Results

Kellie Pickler's Team Samba on Dancing with the Stars

By GLAMOROSI

Dancing with the Stars week 6 performance show was "Stevie Wonder Night" in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his first number one hit. The couples danced to songs by Wonder, and he performed live. Judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli scored individual routines from each couple, and also team dances led by contestants Zendaya and Kellie Pickler. By night's end country singer Pickler topped the leaderboard with 54 points; boxer Victor Ortiz was in last place with a score of 40. On the upcoming results show the public votes will be added to the judge's scores, and the final numbers will determine who gets cut.

UPDATE: Scroll down to the bottom to see who was eliminated in Week 6.

All-Star Celebrity Apprentice Recap S6 E8: Trump Fires Brande Roderick

Dancers for Plan B's South African Experience, All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

By A.D. AMOROSI

For season 6, episode 8 of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice titled “Are You My Zulu Dancing Man?”, Celebrity Apprentice 3 winner and this season’s first casualty, Bret Michaels, returns to judge and mentor the teams. In a classic brains-versus-beauty battle, Project Managers Penn Jillette (Team Plan B) and Brande Roderick (Team Power) compete to create an interactive travel expo for the South Africa Tourism Bureau. Roderick’s exhibit is considered juvenile,  and Donald Trump fires her.

Rufus Wainwright on Music, Marriage and His PIFA Show in Philadelphia

Rufus Wainwright plays The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on April 21

By A.D. AMOROSI

When Rufus Wainwright visits the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) on Sunday, April 21, he’ll perform a program singular to this fest, a show he won’t repeat during his current tour. He’ll start with a 45-minute version of his debut opera Prima Donna, followed by songs from his Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall concert.  What better name for this mash-up than Prima! Rufus! Judy!. I interviewed Wainwright about his PIFA show and topics including marriage, ambition, and the state of pop music.

Chef Maneet Chauhan from 'Chopped' to Appear at Tashan in Philadelphia

Chef Maneet Chauhan will appear at Tashan in Philadelphia on April 19

By A.D. AMOROSI

Tashan, Philadelphia’s premier modern Indian restaurant and lounge (777 S Broad Street), welcomes celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan this Friday, April 19. Chauhan, a judge on the Food Network's Chopped reality series, a one-time competitor on Iron Chef, a recent recipient of the James Beard Award for Excellence, and the author of the upcoming cookbook Flavors of My World (out on May 1), will be cooking and making cocktails at Tashan. The restaurant's Executive Chef, Sylva Senat, will be preparing the night’s appetizer and dessert.

'Dancing with the Stars' Week 5 Results: D.L. Hughley Eliminated

Cheryl Burke and D.L. Hughley on Dancing with the Stars

By GLAMOROSI

On season 16, week 5 of Dancing with the Stars, the couples competed in judge Len Goodman's “Side by Side” challenge in which they performed simultaneously with pros. The routines featured Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Anna Trebunskaya, Chelsie Hightower, Tony Dovolani, Tristan MacManus, and members of the DWTS troupe. Disney star Zendaya topped the leaderboard with 29 points; comedians Andy Dick and D.L. Hughley tied at the bottom with 18 points. On the week 5 results show, D.L. Hughley was eliminated.