Month: March 2019

CHIP CHANTRY: He’s Philly’s Funniest Man and has an iTunes #1 Comedy Album to Prove It.

March 19, 2019 Comedy, Entertainment 38:35

Helium Comedy Club named him Philly’s Phunniest comedian and he recently had the #1 album on the iTunes Comedy Charts. He just returned to Philly from working as a writer on a new Howie Mandel television project. He is Philly’s own Chip Chantry.

Chip, a former elementary school teacher, now works full-time as a comedian. Starting as a warm up act for his brother’s band at Fergie’s, Chip Chantry has gone on to work with the biggest names in comedy.

We sat down with Chip at Sassafrass to talk to him about breaking into comedy, how political correctness has changed the profession, what 80s show he wants rebooted so he can play the star role, and the difference between telling jokes in Philadelphia and Portland, Oregon. Chip also talked about the role he played in helping the comedy revival in Philadelphia, and he and Johnny reminisced about the greatest heckle they ever saw. 

The episode was recorded at Sassafras somewhat randomly, but it worked out well. Greg and JGT are friends with Carl, who bartends there, and makes a hell of an Old Fashioned. There was also live jazz for the first half of our show. One of the most underrated bars in the city (at least Sunday-Thursday. We all know what happens to Old City on the weekends.) 

Hope you enjoy this episode, and if you do, we’d consider it a personal favor if you ranked us, subscribed, and left a review on itunes. Thanks!

LINKS:

CHIP CHANTRY: .com/Instagram/Twitter
SASSAFRAS: .com//Facebook/Twitter

Lillian DiPiazza: Inside the Grueling World of a Pennsylvania Ballet Dancer

March 4, 2019 Artist, Entertainment 31:29

Ballerinas, according to the NY Times, may be the hardest working people in show business. In an effort to gain insight into the intimidating and grueling world of ballet, The Philly Blunt sat down Lillian DiPiazza, a world-class ballerina and a Principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet, located here in center city.

Lillian, or Lilly as she prefers, has been with the Pennsylvania Ballet since 2008. She was born in Silver Springs, MD and trained with the Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the School of American Ballet. In 2008, she auditioned for the Pennsylvania Ballet with almost 200 other dancers. She was the only one offered a position. 

Lilly spoke candidly about the physical and emotional toll the training dancing takes on the body. Much like professional athletes, the conditioning and recovery is vitally important.

Lilly shared a story of a dancing with a bleeding partner, studying Urban Studies at Penn, and how Clorox Handi Wipes are her choice of padding for the uncomfortable pointe shoes. 

We also asked her a handful of user submitted questions and, of course, The Philly Blunt segment.

Lilly met with us at Grace Tavern, where she’ll sometimes grab a burger and beer after a late performance. 

LINKS:

Pennsylvania Ballet: www/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram
Lillian DiPiazza: Instagram
Grace Tavern: www/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram