HughE Dillon: First Person Arts Kick-Off

Plus a celebrity casino night to benefit childhood cancer, who Ed Rendell is dining with these days, and what's up with other famous folks in Philadelphia

I hung with literary celebs (including Sonia Sanchez!) and TV news anchor Soledad O’Brien on Monday when the First Person Arts Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art kicked off.  I also swung by the Fourth Annual Celebrity Casino Night, which raised funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.



According to Daily News reporter Dan Gross, Governor Rendell agreed to have a steak dinner at Capital Grille with Bill O’Reilly after losing a bet on Corbett-Onorato race.  There’s a good chance that it will be prepared by the new Executive Chef/Operating Partner David Wiederholt (formerly of Granite Hill & Oceanaire) who started there Monday.

Brian McKnight and Vivica A. Fox opened last night in Je’Caryous Johnson’s stage play Cheaper to Keep Her at the Merriam Theater. My friend Lori Nundy, was there to see McKnight and said he was the best part about the play.  After the show, the cast greeted their fans in the lobby of the theater.

Saturday night: If you don’t have tickets to the show, you can meet actress Vivica A. Fox at the Bailey’s Signature event at Thirteen on Saturday night. Register here for the VIP guest list.

Charitably Speaking

Tonight: Join Don Tollefson of the Eagles Television Network, Beasley Reese of CW Philly, and man of a thousand voices Joe Conklin as they co-host the Make a Celebrity PAL fundraiser for the Police Athletic League from6 p.m. to 9 p.m at the Field House. Among the local stars in attendance will be Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson, Eagles tackle Winston Justice, Union midfielder Shea Salinas and goalkeeper Chris Seitz,  Ultimate Fighter 12’s Marc Stevens and other surprise guests. Tickets are available at the door for $70.

Thursday:  Philadelphia’s own Duke & Winston join Les Richards Menswear at Liberty Place for a special shopping event to benefit the Gift of Life Family House. The event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Friday: Join Baba Taiye Renfrow, Dr. Chuck Williams, and Randy Robinson for their monthly party, SYNERGY: A Charitable Networking Initiative Tackles Hunger. The party benefits Philabundance & Stop Hunger NOW and takes place at the Comcast Center at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $25.