Circles Thai Restaurant in Philly to Hold Free Burger Giveaway Today

Circles is launching a new lunch menu with a free burger giveaway

By GLAMOROSI

Circles, a restaurant known for its contemporary Thai cuisine, will be celebrating the launch of its new lunch menu and expanded delivery area with a free burger giveaway today (Friday, May 31). The event will take place between noon and 2 pm at Circles' Northern Liberties location (812 N 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 267.687.1309).

Philadelphia Theatre Company Launches David Ives’ 'Venus in Fur'

Mark Alhadeff and Jenni Putney in Venus in Fur

By A.D. AMOROSI

David Ives’ bleakly comic Venus in Fur earned two Tony Award nominations (with a win for Best Actress) and two Drama League nominations during its 2011 Broadway run. Now, after having already produced two of his plays (All in the Timing and a world premiere for The Lives of the Saints), the Philadelphia Theatre Company opened their Venus in Fur on May 30, with its run extending until June 24.

Chick’s Social Kitchen & Bar Wows Customers with Impressive Menu

The Lobster Bake at Chick's Social Kitchen and Bar in Philadelphia

By A.D. AMOROSI

Fifteen months ago, Chick's Café & Wine Bar (614 S. 7th St.) changed its name to Chick’s Social Kitchen & Bar, and with that switch, turned the intimate corner spot into a fully-functioning restaurant with a menu worthy of its location between South Street and the Italian Market. This month, chef and owner Jim Piano gained a slew of new customers by offering a one-pound lobster special – with a generous helping of mussels, clams and potatoes in a fine broth – for $18.

Review: 'Behind the Candelabra' and 'Liberace: The Ultimate Entertainer'

Michael Douglas and Matt Damon as Liberace and Scott Thorson

By A.D. AMOROSI

With HBO’s Behind the Candelabra, a strange but not wholly sad portrait of Liberace emerges revealing the legendarily flamboyant pianist who died from AIDS-related complications in 1987, and the culture that closeted him. Yet, the story doesn’t stop with director Stephen Soderbergh’s down-and-dirty film starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, as the DVD release of Liberace: The Ultimate Entertainer attests.

Basketball’s Julius Erving Joins Mural Arts Program at Wall Ball

Julius "Dr. J" Erving and Jane Golden, Exec. Dir, Mural Arts program

By A.D. AMOROSI

Right before the Memorial Day weekend, basketball legend and one-time Philadelphia 76er Julius “Dr. J” Erving showed his support for Philly’s Mural Arts Program by joining with the organization at its annual fundraising celebration, the Wall Ball. The colorful party and dinner was hosted by Fox29’s Mike Jerrick at Vie (600 N. Broad Street), with an after party next door at Chef Marc Vetri’s Alla Spina.

Philly’s Branzino Restaurant Unveils New Kitchen, Chef, Menu, Garden

L to R: Owner Luan M. Tota, Chef Mike Stollenwerk and Publicist James Zeleniak at Branzino Italian Ristorante in Philadelphia, PA

By A.D. AMOROSI

This week in Philadelphia, the stately Branzino Italian Ristorante (261 S 17th Street, 215-790-0103) made several debuts. Not only did Branzino’s owner, Luan M. Tota, introduce the media to his new Executive Chef Mike Stollenwerk, Tota showed off his newly-expanded garden space and his recently excavated hotel-sized kitchen.

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough Win 'Dancing with the Stars'

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough on Dancing with the Stars

By GLAMOROSI

On the Season 16 finale of Dancing with the Stars, the final two couples were Disney star Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy, and country singer Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough. When the scores by judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli were combined with the votes cast by the public, it was Pickler and Hough who were named the winners and awarded the coveted mirror ball trophy.

'Dancing with the Stars' Season 16 Winner to be Named Tonight - Updated with Results

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough on Season 16 of Dancing with the Stars

By GLAMOROSI

For the Dancing with the Stars finals - season 16, week 10 - the four remaining celebrities performed in three rounds: Judge's Choice, Cha-Cha Relay and Freestyle. At the end of the show Disney teen Zendaya and country singer Kellie Pickler were one point apart, with 65 and 64 points, respectively. On tonight’s finale the public vote will be added in and a winner will be named. Our prediction is that Kellie Pickler will win; after the broadcast we’ll update this post with the results.

Update: To see who won click "Read More", then scroll down to the bottom of the article.

'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice' Season 6 Finale Recap: Trace Adkins Wins

L to R: Penn Jillette, Donald Trump and Trace Adkins on NBC's All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

By A.D. AMOROSI

For the season 6 finale of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice titled “One of Us Will Win, But Not By Much,” Donald Trump and finalists Penn Jillette and Trace Adkins end the series with a bang. Charged with creating and promoting new flavors of ice cream for Walgreens Delish brand ice cream during last week’s program, this week finds the All-Stars hosting big ticket events with special guests Gilbert Gottfried, Blue Man Group, Taylor Hicks, Wayne Newton, George Wallace, Teller, Debbie Harry, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tim Tebow, Billy Ray Cyrus, Wynonna Judd and Vincent Pastore along for the ride. During the night’s live portion, Trace Adkins is crowned the winner.

Owner Disputes 'Always Sunny' Deal for Mac’s 2 is off on Chestnut in Philadelphia

Brendan Bring'Em working on Emmaline on Chestnut street in Phila.

By A.D. AMOROSI

Brendan Bring’Em is an industrious guy, a DJ-turned-interior designer who, in January 2013, turned the un-used first floor of 1904 Chestnut in Philadelphia into a bar and disco named Emmaline for lovers of esoteric, funk, soul and house music. Emmaline almost found itself out of business as soon as its doors opened when the property’s owners began entertaining offers from the TV show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) folk, who already own and operate Mac’s Tavern (in Old City), and wanted the space for a Mac’s 2. Bring'Em now says the “Always Sunny” deal fell through, but Mac's co-owner Ben Haney strongly disputes that claim, stating that the license transfers were moving along, but slowly.

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.