Latest news with #RittenhouseSquare


New York Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Brian Tyree Henry's 5 Favorite Places in Philadelphia
If your memories of summer camp don't involve eight-course tasting menus and vintage fashion shopping sprees, well, perhaps you weren't doing it right. Or you were never in a stalled Apple TV+ production with Brian Tyree Henry. Mr. Henry, 43, who recently received the Gotham Television Awards' first Performer Tribute for his role in 'Dope Thief,' is the star and an executive producer of this crime drama about two friends who try to earn a living as fake drug enforcement agents. The limited series was not quite halfway through filming in Philadelphia when Hollywood writers went on strike in 2023, soon followed by actors. He decided to make the best of a bad situation by staying put and diving as deeply as possible into his character's hometown. During the work stoppage, which lasted six months, 'the Philly crew was still there, and they were my friends,' Mr. Henry said in a video interview. 'So my time in Philly felt like sleep-away camp.' He learned a lot. For starters: 'Philly natives love Philly,' he said. 'If I walked out of my house in anything green and white, it had better have an eagle on it.' He also discovered that he didn't need to stray far from his Center City rental to find a happy place: the tiny 17th-century Rittenhouse Square. 'You can sit in the park and read a book, and then go and chill out and have a good meal across the street,' he said, citing the steak, popovers and tater tots at Barclay Prime among his favorite examples. Another neighborhood staple was the Rittenhouse Spa & Club, where regular facials helped mitigate the 'sweat, blood, smoke and gunpowder' he was covered in during filming. 'They would be like, 'What did you go through this week?'' he said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.


CBS News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Joe Biden spotted at Philadelphia restaurant as television series "Reacher" films outside
Former President Joe Biden spotted in Rittenhouse Square as crews filmed for "Reacher" TV series Former President Joe Biden spotted in Rittenhouse Square as crews filmed for "Reacher" TV series Former President Joe Biden spotted in Rittenhouse Square as crews filmed for "Reacher" TV series Cameras captured former President Joe Biden casually strolling around Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia Monday morning after eating breakfast at Parc. This happened at the same time the action crime TV series "Reacher" was filming at the restaurant. "It was just something very bizarre that I never could have imagined, both things were happening at the same time," said photographer HughE Dillon. CBS Philadelphia Dillon was there and had his camera rolling. He said he was watching the television crew film a police chase when suddenly black SUVs pulled up. "Out walked these men, that I thought they were actors, but then the entire cast and crew started clapping and cheering," he said. "Then someone said, 'We love you, Joe, we love you!'" @PhillyChitChat Dillon said he could tell Biden's presence at Parc caught everyone off guard, including the crew and residents, on Monday morning. "I thought it was the end of the scene — that they were wrapping for the day. And no, it was, you know, Joe Biden decided he needed some breakfast at Parc Rittenhouse," Dillon said. It's unclear whether the former president and his entourage knew what they were walking into. @PhillyChitChat Alan Ritchson, who plays Jack Reacher in the show, could be seen moving quickly down the sidewalk on the Locust Street side of the restaurant, as two police cars with lights flashing flew by. Dillon said Biden was inside for an hour and then came out and waved to the crowd, shook hands with the actors and crew members, and posed for some selfies with residents walking their dogs. He said it was an exciting start to the morning in Rittenhouse as Hollywood and politics crossed paths. @PhillyChitChat


CBS News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show in Philadelphia offers unique opportunity for artists
For artists at Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show this weekend, the event was an opportunity to share their work and connect with new audiences. Michelle Mardis is this year's featured artist, and her work has been used to advertise the annual three-day event. "It's a big deal," Mardis said. "It's very competitive to get in the show, and once you're in, it's ... a feather in your cap just for that and then to be selected featured artist." Mardis said her first year here has been a good one. "Friday was great, I had an excellent day. I did sell the signature piece, so that's being shipped to California," Mardis said. The Rittenhouse Square event is the oldest art show in the country, celebrating its 98th anniversary this year. More than 400 artists apply to exhibit in the park, with only about 150 making the cut. "There is more public art in Philadelphia than any city in America, so we are the art capital of America," said Chris Buonomo, managing director of Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show. Buonomo said artists from Europe, Canada and across the U.S. had space at the show, drawing collectors and dollars to the city. "An art-savvy crowd from New York come down; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; they all come here for the show because there's nothing quite like this show in those cities," Buonomo said. Daphne Covington from Georgia has made this show a must on her calendar. She says while weather can play a role — it's all part of life for a traveling artist — she's hoping to cash in this weekend. "We're like little gamblers out here ... 'cause we never know what's going to happen at the show, so a good show or a great show can really mean the world to us," Covington said.