Phillyist VIP: Matt Nelson

This week's Very Important Philadelphian is Matt Nelson. Matt hails from Fishtown and is the Executive Producer of the Philly Improv Festival.

How long have you lived in Philadelphia and what brought you here?
I've been living in Philly four years this March. Growing up on the west coast, I really wanted to try my hand at an eastern city... and couldn't have picked a better one to call home.

What is your favorite place in the city?
1800 block of Delancey. I'm a sucker for architecture and endearing neighborhoods and this block has some of the most beautiful homes in the city.

What is the strangest thing that has happened to you in Philadelphia?
Two summers ago I saw a man at 16th & Chesnut trying to catch pigeons with a human-sized butterfly net. When I turned the corner he began to stalk me... I could see from the reflection in the storefronts that he was creeping behind like he was ready to capture me. After about three blocks another group of pigeons apparently became more appealing and his attentions were diverted.

If you could change one thing about the City of Philadelphia, what would it be?
SEPTA rail service to South Philly along the waterfront.

Pick one: Rocky Balboa or Benjamin Franklin?
Ben Franklin: he wouldn't film scenes in Kensington and call it South Philly.

Photo courtesy of Matt Nelson