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 REESE AMOROSI

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.

'Dance Moms' Recap Season 3 Episode 16: Abby Makes Maddie Assistant Choreographer

Maddie Ziegler from Dance Moms

By GLAMOROSI

When we last saw Dance Moms, Maddie and Chloe competed against each other, and studio owner Abby Lee Miller made the team vote on who was their favorite. Maddie won both times, and now on the season 3, episode 16 of Dance Moms titled “May I Have This Dance”, she gets another vote of confidence: Abby promotes her to assistant choreographer. Also, Abby tells the group she was invited to co-host The View, and they are going to perform on the show.

Dancing with the Stars Week 5: Zendaya Scores First 10s of the Season

Val Chmerkovskiy and Zendaya on Dancing with the Stars, Season 16

By GLAMOROSI

For season 16, week 5 of Dancing with the Stars, the couples competed in judge Len Goodman’s “Side by Side” challenge: each team performed with two pros who were eliminated, featured in previous seasons, or in the DWTS troupe. By night's end, Disney star Zendaya scored the season's first 10s and topped the leaderboard with 29 points; comedians Andy Dick and D.L. Hughley were tied at the bottom with 18 points. Before the competition began, hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet expressed their concern for the bombings that occurred earlier in the day at the Boston Marathon.

All-Star Celebrity Apprentice Recap S6 E7: Trump Fires Stephen Baldwin

Gary Busey and Stephen Baldwin on All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

By A.D. AMOROSI

For season 6, episode 7 of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice titled "The First Leaf that Hits the Ground",  the wonderfully bizarre Gary Busey gets his shot at being a Project Manager (PM) for Plan B with a task perfect for his skill set – to make a silent movie promoting Australian Gold sun care products. Busey’s rival is Team Power's clever project manager, Trace Adkins, who winds up the night’s winner. Don’t worry about Busey though; his teammate Stephen Baldwin is the one who gets fired.

Projekt Records Label Boss Sam Rosenthal Releases Erotic Novel 'Rye'

By A.D. AMOROSI

Sam Rosenthal has long been a fixture when it comes to the dark wave music scene (ethereal, Goth, cabaret). Rosenthal has been successfully running the Projekt label since 1983 with his spidery ensemble, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, as that label’s most popular act.  Now in 2013, Rosenthal has done something daringly different from his norm: he’s written and released his debut novel, Rye, and made it sharply erotic.

2nd Annual XPN Music Film Festival Welcomes Singer Darlene Love

Singer Darlene Love appears in documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom

By A.D. AMOROSI

The 2nd Annual XPN Music Film Festival has been under way since April 11, hosting screenings in collaboration with the Philadelphia Film Society. On Sunday, April 14, legendary singer Darlene Love stops by with Twenty Feet from Stardom, a documentary about her and other classic background vocalists. The screening is at Drexel University's Mandell Theater (33rd and Chestnut Streets, Phila. PA) at 7:30 p.m.

‘Let Them Eat Cake’ Competition in New Jersey to Benefit City of Hope

Previous "Let Them Eat Cake" competition winners, Truly Custom Cakery

By GLAMOROSI

On Monday, April 15, professional bakers, pastry chefs and students will present their finest fondant creations at the 9th annual “Let Them Eat Cake” competition at the Marion in Cinnaminson, New Jersey (1301 Route 130 South). All proceeds from the event benefit cancer research and treatment at City of Hope.

The Hot Club Brings Gypsy Jazz to the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Hot Club of Philadelphia

By A.D. AMOROSI

Throughout the 1920s, 30s and 40s, guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli crafted an innovative brand of hot Parisian-based Gypsy jazz full of passionate solos and rich with a heavy, rhythmic sway. With dancing guitars and gliding violins, they transformed tunes from the great American songbook into something sensual. Decades later, The Hot Club of Philadelphia carries on in the tradition of Reinhardt and Grappelli. On Friday April 12, they’ll play the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s prestigious “Art After 5” event.

Jay-Z Reveals 'Made in America' Festival Lineup: Beyoncé and Nine Inch Nails Headline

Jay-Z's Made in America Festival lineup

By A.D. AMOROSI

Yesterday Jay-Z unveiled the list of performers for Made in America 2 (MIA2), his Labor Day weekend festival on Philadelphia’s Ben Franklin Parkway that debuted last summer. The rapper, sports agent and all-around entrepreneur included his wife Beyoncé, her sister Solange and Trent Reznor’s industrial legend Nine Inch Nails on the MIA2 list.

'Dancing with the Stars' Week 4 Results Show: Lisa Vanderpump Eliminated

Tom Bergeron, Lisa Vanderpump and Gleb Savchenko

By GLAMOROSI

On week 4 of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), each contestant performed a routine telling the story of the Best Year of Their Life. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman took the top spot on the leaderboard with a score of 27; Boxer Victor Ortiz and Real Housewife of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump tied at the bottom with scores of 18. On last night's results show, the judges scores were combined with the public’s votes, and Vanderpump and her partner Gleb Savchenko were eliminated.

'Dance Moms' Recap - The Politics of Dancing: Maddie and Chloe Compete Against Each Other

Dance Moms stars Chloe and Maddie in rehearsal

By GLAMOROSI

On this week’s season 3, episode 15 of Dance Moms titled "The Politics of Dancing", the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) heads to Philadelphia, PA for a competition at which star pupils Maddie and Chloe will compete against each other. Teacher Abby Lee Miller escalates their rivalry by making the team vote for who they think is the better dancer. The ALDC’s tiny team members have some drama of their own: Mackenzie is sidelined with a foot injury and has to watch as new girl Asia Ray gets parts that would usually go to her.

'Real Housewives of Atlanta’s' Kandi Burruss Opens 'The Kandi Factory' on Bravo Tonight

Kandi Burruss has a new search show on Bravo, Kandi Factory

By A.D. AMOROSI

Kandi Burruss has been a force in the entertainment business for twenty years. She shot to fame in the 1990s as a member of the R&B girl-group Xscape with Tameka "Tiny" Cottle (T.I.’s wife). Those two ladies went on to pen the number one hit "No Scrubs" for TLC before Burruss alone wrote songs for artists such as Pink and Destiny’s Child. More recently, Burruss has become a Bravo network reality television sensation, first on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and now as the host and creator of the vocal competition program, The Kandi Factory, that starts tonight, Tuesday, April 9, at 10 p.m.

'Dancing with the Stars' Recap Week 4: Best Year of My Life - Aly Raisman Tops Leaderboard

Aly Raisman tops the leaderboard on week 4 of Dancing with the Stars

By GLAMOROSI

For the season 16, week 4 performances on Dancing with the Stars (April 8, 2013), the celebrities commemorated the best year of their lives through dance for judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Before the competition began hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke-Charvet announced that Reality Star Lisa Vanderpump had fainted during rehearsal on Friday, and it was up in the air if she would be well enough to perform. Vanderpump did go on, but earned the evening’s lowest scores; Olympic gymnast Alexandra "Aly" Raisman topped the leaderboard with a combined score of 27.

Philadelphia Businesses Band Together after Fatal Fabric Row Fire

A view of Jack B Fabrics after the fire

By A.D. AMOROSI

Early Saturday night on April 6, a three-alarm fire struck the 37-year-old Jack B Fabrics shop along Philadelphia’s Fabric Row on Fourth Street just off of South Street in the Queen Village area. Firefighter Capt. Michael Goodwin died after the third-floor roof he was on collapsed while he was bravely battling the blaze. The 53-year-old Goodwin, a 29-year Fire Department vet, was captain of Ladder 27 in South Philly and was due for a promotion to Battalion Chief (one he’ll receive posthumously, according to Philly.com).

'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice' Recap S6 E6 - How Do You Spell Melania: Dennis Rodman Fired

Trace Adkins and Dennis Rodman on All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

By A.D. AMOROSI

For season 6, episode 6 of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice titled “How Do You Spell Melania”, Donald Trump involves his missus in the battle between Team’s Power Project Manager Dennis Rodman and Plan B’s Penn Jillette. This week the teams are charged with designing an ad campaign for the new skincare line, Melania Caviar Complexe. Jillette wins, but only because Rodman’s team misspells the name of the boss’ wife ("Milania" instead of the correct “Melania"). The one-time basketball player gets fired because of this blunder, and for the first time this season, Trump seems genuinely sorry to see a player go.

Iron Chef Jose Garces’ Tinto Restaurant Hosts a Basque Cider Dinner

Dishes from the Basque cider dinner at Tinto, owned by Chef Jose Garces

By A.D. AMOROSI

This week in Philadelphia, Tinto – a Rittenhouse area restaurant owned by Iron Chef Jose Garces – hosted "Txotx", a three course dinner that paired select items on its Basque-inspired menu with ciders from Spain and France.

East Passyunk Prepares for its Annual 'Flavors of the Avenue' Event in South Philly

Venison paté and sourdough toast at Fond on East Passyunk Avenue

By GLAMOROSI

In anticipation of the annual East Passyunk Flavors of the Avenue event in South Philadelphia (Saturday, April 27), members of the media were invited to a preview tasting tour this past Tuesday night. Along with being treated to menu items from Passyunk Ave’s familiar favorites (including Da Vinci, who also showed us their secret garden space), we sampled food from Stateside’s newly appointed Executive Chef, 24-year-old Elijah Milligan (replacing the acclaimed George Sabatino, who left to start his own restaurant), and got an early look at the still-under-construction Noord Restaurant.

'Dance Moms' Recap, Season 3 Episode 14, Watch Your Back Mack: Asia Ray Joins the ALDC

Kristie and daughter Asia on Dance Moms

By GLAMOROSI

On last week's episode of Dance Moms, studio owner Abby Lee Miller brought in guest choreographer Rachelle Rak to work with the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC). This week on Dance Moms season 3, episode 14 titled, "Watch Your Back, Mack", Abby brings in a new dancer, young Asia Ray, who was a prominent contestant on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC). Meanwhile, Abby nemesis Cathy Nesbitt-Stein of the Candy Apples Dance Center (CADC) brings in choreographer John Culbertson to give her team a leg up in the Energy Dance Competition in Michigan.

'Dancing with the Stars' Recap - Season 16, Week 3 Performances: Prom Night

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough on Dancing with the Stars season 16

By GLAMOROSI

For season 16, week 3 of Dancing with the Stars, the theme is “Prom Night”. To open the show the contestants do an un-judged group prom dance choreographed by DWTS veteran Louis van Amstel to Fatboy Slim’s "The Rockafeller Skank". During the competition, dances include the Viennese Waltz and Paso Doble. By night's end, county singers bookend the leaderboard: Kellie Pickler and pro Derek Hough are at the top for their Jive dance; Wynonna Judd and pro Tony Dovolani are at the bottom for their Samba.

'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice Recap' - Lightning Strikes Mr. Hang Brain: Omarosa Fired

Gary Busey and teammates on All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

By A.D. AMOROSI

On season six, episode five of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, titled “Lightning Strikes Mr. Hang Brain”, Trace Adkins gets a new team, Gary Busey makes cool papier-mâché art, and the Blue Man Group stops by with Jell-O. Team Power’s Lil Jon and Plan B’s Lisa Rinna are pitted against each other in a fight to see whose team does the best gallery presentation. The real battle though is between Omarosa, her long-time nemesis, advisor Piers Morgan, and her teammate Dennis Rodman. In the end, Omarosa gets fired.