icepack

by A.D. Amorosi

That "kaboom!" you heard in Old City last week wasnít someone rehearsing a Fringe show. There were actually several explosions, both planned and accidental. Hackís peeps closed down Church Street (and used Old City Coffee) in order to "blow up" some Dumpsters, apparently for a story line involving David Morse and a love interest (not subtle, is it). Neighbors commented, "They shouldíve blown up Starbucks." Latte bitches! Days later, the Strawberry Street dwelling of Low co-owner Rick O’Neill (who shares the place with Glamís storage area) caught fire. Though his apartment was trashed, OíNeill was saved by a dreamy EMT named Raisin, who brought him to Jefferson for overnight observation.… WhoWhatWhere: Where are Justin and Cameron? The hickeys. The window-ledge smooches. The missed tips. Iím lonely without them. No matter: The guy with the queer eye from Radiohead strolled South Street before the bandís Tweeter gig, hitting Noise Pollution and other shops. The Sopranosí Aida Turturro spoke at the Society Hill Sheraton about combatting rheumatoid arthritis. Both Cold and Evanescence got a liíl bit crazy at Whiskey Dix after their Electric Factory gig. And, fashion alert: Joisey-born designer Narciso Rodriguez (known for his bridal gown for Carolyn Bessette Kennedy) will be honored by the Breast Health Institute and Fashion Group Philly at their Shirt Off Your Back event in October.… Cliff, we hardly knew ye: Mr. Hall, publicist for EFC/Clear Channel for nearly four years, is leaving to get his certification to teach high-school music and to devote time to his band, The Collapse. Taking his spot (but not his place) is Carrie McLaughlin.… Stephen Starr opens Angelina, the former Blue Angel, Sept. 3. at Seventh and Chestnut, across the street from a due-soon convenience store from the owners of Sassafras Market. Starr is also readying Continental on 18th Street for December 2003, El Vez on 13th Street for the end of October and his still-being-designed Washington Square supper club for March 2004.… Boys of Now/Personsí Sara Marcus (a former City Paper contributor) and The Velsí Alice Cohen -- Philly expats who met in Brooklyn -- bring their The Long Lost to The Balcony Aug. 30. … They wonít confirm exactly to whom, but Goldman Properties is selling the wondrous, historic Divine Lorraine Hotel to Manhattan interests.… With Paul Browning out of Standard Tap (heís at Low until the paperwork is finished for him to take over Conduit in Trenton with his partner, Standard Tapís Randy Walker), thereís plenty to hear about the ever-expanding restaubar. Besides the under-construction outside deck (the newbies who buy into the across-the-street condo will be able to spy on it), they are expanding Tap into a neighboring building, and owners Paul Kimport and William Reed just bought another spot in Fishtown.… Trauma Queens, the world- traveling Capitol Years and pals King God and Amen Booze Rooster roust The Khyber Aug. 29.… On Sept. 2, Manayunkís Grape St. Pub gets a dose of Deep 6ix songstress gone solo, Mi’Chel, with help from Vanishing Peoplesí Keisha Hutchins, Monica Mcintyre, Mark Nolan and Live Nude Rock Starsí Neil White.… Cinevore Studios, run by Jersey/Philly filmmakers KJ Norce and Matthew Conant, just launched a website (www.cinevore.com) to go with their fabulously spooky short, Scarfeet.… Larry Robinís bookstore on 13th Street will have a new neighbor in Lolita, an intimate 40-seat BYOB from Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran of Open House, Valanni and Audrey Claire fame. Also small, also open, also swell and swanky: Garth Weldonís Red Head Piano Bar at Jollyís (135 S. 17th at The Latham). … B-days, anniversaries, deaths -- such a perfect August. WPEN celebrates its 25th anniversary of big bands at Pennís Landing with the bandleader who started the series, South Philly-born Walter Jay. And thatís not the dead part. Kidding. As for b-days, best wishes to: Laguardiaís best friend, Howard Wuelfing; 32ºís "It Girl," Robyn Bird, celebrating at the club on Aug. 28; and singer Kelly Sadler of The Shilittas and Rhythm Donkeys fame, also featured on the new Marah CD. The late Wheels of Soul honcho, Jerome “Wine-O” Robinson (slain outside the clubís 61st Street headquarters) was a man cherished for his prose, and his life is celebrated in filmmaker Randall Wilsonís Wheels of Soul documentary, airing Aug. 28 at 9 p.m. on WYBE. Atom and His Package end a six-year live reign Aug. 29 at First Unitarian Church, moving from playing gigs to recording and writing only. How Ziggy Stardust. (See Patrick Rapaís interview with Adam Goren on p. 40.) And a fond farewell to the late Stanley Green, who passed away last week (and condolences to his fashion maven missus, Agnes). From his beard to his bow ties, Green was the man about town before I was out of my crib. When I first started Icepack, he grabbed me, smiling, and told me I looked like John Travolta. I was too drunk to know which Travolta he meant -- Pulp Fiction or Look Whoís Talking. He was a gentleman, a scholar and a snazzy guy who will be missed.

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