Also this issue: The New Old School Vintage clothing finds a second (or third, or fifth) life as haute couture. -A.D. Amorosi firstlook: Samba -A.D. Amorosi

May 1- 7, 2003

music

icepack

by A.D. Amorosi

With so many things indigenous to Philly, have The Roots become Philly’s only export? Along with gearing up for the Creekside Jamboree’s June 6-7 shows (Almost Heaven Campground in Forksville, Pa.), June 13’s Bonnaroo fest in Tennessee (with G. Love and RJD2), Y100’s Feztival May 26 (with Beck) and June 7 and 8’s inaugural Field Day Fest (with the Beasties, Radiohead and Beck again) at Enterprise Park in Calverton, Long Island, The Roots are doing ads for Sean Jean. Picked by P. Diddy himself, they’ll appear throughout the "It’s not just a label, it’s a lifestyle" campaign.… Don’t mean to sound too Philly. I love New York. But the Apple, tired from cigarette bans and nightlife sanctions, needs Philly DJs like Brendan O and Cosmo, who often jam in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Add DJ Rahsaan’s last Wednesdays at NYC’s Bauhaus (as well as Tuesdays at Tribecca in Philly) and the Worship/Warmth label’s monthly Fridays (starting May 2) at The Royale (in Park Slope, Brooklyn) with Rob P, Zacharijah, Willyum, Lovesky, Nick Cain and Joel T. That adds to their already busy schedules: Worship’s releasing Flowchart’s new Broken and Blue 12-inch and EPs by Jay Tripwire and Grant Dell; Warmth drops Sean Thomas’ Enjoy Life 12-inch. (P.S.: Gravy, Rich Medina and VJ Kevlar do the stoner soul thing at Silk City’s "Li’l Ricky’s" May 5, a night they do so well throughout NYC.)… Lucky for local non-Equity actor types, there’s been a rash of producers suddenly seeking Philly faces. But are the faces ready? To prep, casting director Aleta Chappelle (Nutty Professor, Godfather 3) and Carroll Tillman Brown host audition workshops (May 3, Point of Destination Café, located in the Upsal Train Station at Greene and Upsal, in Mt. Airy). Bring a resumé and stuff to read. 215-849-7771.… Oz and Jeff -- the food-and-funky-music duo behind Bob and Barbara’s famous free eat-and-dance-athons -- are bringing their spoons to Ministry of Information (Fifth and Poplar). For now. Go there May 21.… Anyone can jam at night. But what about those Sunday teas? Matt Schwartz is doing another free "Snacktime" at 3 p.m., May 4 at Space 1026. He’ll deliver poet Ish Klein’s cheaply shot (at Molly’s Café, where Klein works) digi-flick, The People Concerned, and Robert Waldman, who will lecture about the world’s longest train ride. And Schwartz’ll maybe drop copies of the latest Philadelphia Independent.… Drexel named alum Nicole Cashman "Young Entrepreneur of the Year." She’ll snag an award May 3 at their infamous Blue and Gold Days. Cashman’s also chairperson of Easter Seals’ Philly Zoo casino jam May 9.… Break a chair at Bar Noir? Doesn’t matter. David Carroll will sell it. That’s what he’s doing with the pew busted by a handful of dancers recently.… Guitarist Chuck Treece (Stiffed, Lady Alma) and thoughtful MC Oaxerai are called Oaxtree when they hang out together. The duo gets all skate-park socioconscious with Graffik Politix, which is dedicated to Love Park. The release party/gig is May 2 at Turtle Studios on Quarry St.… Singer/guitarist Eli Finkelman, better known as Eli, unleashes his quirky "Jewish Yank with a British Soul" ’60s-ish pop debut, ELI, at The Khyber, May 1, with Hilliard and The Improbables.… The kids of Gypsyboots Community Arts Inc. (who present May 9’s big Screw the Mainstream jam) are hosting a free transvestite health conference May 3 at Friends Select School, 17th and the Parkway, 215-563-0652, ext. 513,

www.trans-health.com/2003Conf/

. Then they’re hosting the afterparty with Psydde Delicious DJing at Carriage House’s LGBT Center at U of P.… Bros. Suggarillo host Electro Cabaret at The North Star May 2 with new Philly dwellers Fitzgerald Wipedown’s live drum and bass fusion. "Part of a bachelor blowout for our drummer, Joshua Ramey, and his girl, Emmanuelle Delpech, of Pig Iron Theatre Company," says Victor Fiorillo, who hasn’t played as a Brother in eight months.… Argo and Koji cozy up to Bella Vista’s swanky Vesuvio lounge/eatery (Eighth and Fitzwater) with a weekly bossa/Braziliana "Escola Do Jazz" every Thursday. Ask for the mango and pineapple capirinia.… 215Noise and Systematic Audio present my fave name of moment, the glitchcore Duran Duran Duran at The Rotunda May 2 with Mimetic and END.… Old school: While we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Beth David Reform Congregation (where Rabbi Emeritus Henry Cohen gets ordained May 3), the 95th b-day of Settlement Music School and Duke Ellington’s drummer George Ballard getting a lifetime achievement award from Radnor High School (May 3, with Frank Bey and Barbara Montgomery singing to him), mourn with me the sad, sad passing of onetime Philly inhabitant, my favorite singer, Nina Simone -- the dark lady of jazz who once stopped a show at Chestnut Cabaret and gave out pencils to audience members to get our names and addresses. And to occasional Dumpsta’ Player Miss Tony (a.k.a. Anthony Boston, Baltimore radio and club DJ), who passed last week.