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Philly's Christina Perri coming to The Mann

Local girl Christina Perri will make a stop here at the Mann early on her national tour.
Local girl Christina Perri will make a stop here at the Mann early on her national tour.Read more

Perri at the Mann

I got chills just watching her "Jar of Hearts" music video.

From Christina Perri's soulful inflections and her streak of platinum hair to the tasteful ink on her ivory skin, the whole package is one of which Philly can be proud.

Perri, originally of (OK, technically) Bensalem, is coming back home as part of a summer tour with pop singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat and "Fight Song" vocalist Rachel Platten. They're calling it, "The Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour" and will be performing at The Mann (5201 Parkside Ave.) on July 11.

Perri's been writing songs since she was 15. Her big brother, Nick Perri, was a star musician at Father Judge High School (3301 Solly Ave.) and went on to play guitar for Shinedown and Silvertide. But Perri taught herself how to play guitar as a teenager and it's served her well in her blossoming career.

"Obviously, I couldn't miss playing in my home town," Perri told me during a recent interview.

"I'm touring with two of my favorite women in the music industry. Between the three of us, I think our message is really positive [toward] women and self-esteem."

Perri said she expects more than 180 friends and family members to be in attendance at next Saturday's show.

"We're playing Philly pretty early on in the tour, too, so I look forward to that show the most," she said.

The 28-year old singing sensation said that the last concert she played in town was at the Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) - her favorite show to date.

Asked some must-stops while in Philly, Perri bowed to Wawa, a Pennsylvania staple.

"There's nothing in the world like a Wawa hoagie and Wawa peach iced tea - followed up by a Tastykake,"she said. "I can't get them anywhere."

Channel 3 clearing house

NEW management at CBS3 has axed some big-time names at the station.

Just before 2 p.m. yesterday, "Eyewitness News" anchor Chris May Tweeted, "I've anchored my last broadcast at CBS3. Hope to see you all again."

A source close to the station informed me yesterday that the station's new general manager has been on a mission to "turn things around" because of unsatisfactory ratings, and that people are being let go left and right.

A spokeswoman at Channel 3 confirmed for me that May, weatherwoman Kathy Orr and lead sports anchor Beasley Reese are no longer with the station. "We thank them for their years of service and wish them the very best in their future endeavors," she said.

On the other hand . . .

Congratulations to CBS3 meteorologist Justin Drabick and his wife, Veronica, who welcomed a new member to their family.

The Drabicks gave birth to a son, Todd Justin, during one of the days of crazy storms last week.

A leading roll

Speaking of love for Wawa, on Thursday, as part of Wawa's sixth year as title sponsor of Wawa Welcome America!, the company will be celebrating its 23rd annual Hoagie Day by building and then serving a giant, five-ton sandwich.

Wawa is offering a number of perks on Hoagie Day in and around Philadelphia. They include free admission all day to the National Constitution Center (525 Arch St.), where you can watch the giant hoagie being built early in the morning. Get ready to eat it at noon.

Next, catch Mayor Michael Nutter, WMMR's Steve Morrison and Casey Foster, celebrity chef Robert Irvine (from "Restaurant: Impossible") and scores of Philly police officers, firefighters and servicemen and women join together on Independence Mall for a full afternoon of activities in appreciation of our troops. It's all part of the Wawa Welcome America! 4th of July celebration.

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