icepack

by A.D. Amorosi

I’m drinking at Sofitel’s Saketini hour, watching a flatbed cart featuring a flaming George Bush make its way down Walnut Street (www.pantsonfire.net), when my pre-Christmas turns whiskey-sour at the thought of old familiar places gone. Like Downey's. I'm no fan of the 28-year-old Irish tourist trap. But I like knowing Jack Downey -- who sold to La Veranda's Dom Centofanti -- will be at the wet bar. I haven't been to Plastic Fantastic in years, and now their two-floor Ardmore store is going out of business. "We're outta here," laughs owner Harold Gold about his sudden decision to not renew PF's lease. "It's been 30 years. We're not thrilled to go. But business isn't growing." While he is having a must-go sale, Gold, who's sitting on an inventory of rare vinyl, may open a record store in 2004. Then there's the sign in South Street's Book Trader stating its move to 7 N. Second St. in 2004, Mike Hoffman's A.K.A. Records space. While Book Trader owner Peter Hiler states it isn't Abercrombie & Fitch coming to the location he's leased from Aaron Shapiro for 29 years, as has been reported, he is leaving because he says he has been "on tenterhooks" where the month-to-month rent is concerned. "The day's come when we need that space," says Hiler of Old City's four-floor address. But Hiler's uncertain as to what's up with sublessee and A.K.A. owner Hoffman, as they haven't spoken, and Hoffman remains mum. But sources involved with the move, who wish to remain anonymous, insist everything isn't as it seems. "There are gray areas," says one. "The signs, the talk of moving, may be premature."… Now that Iggy Pop played The Khyber, credit goes to Y100 PD Jim McGuinn. "I knew with Sum 41 and Green Day contributing to [Iggy's new album], Skull Ring, that Iggy was really going for it," says McGuinn, who expressed his desire for a "Sonic Session" to Iggy's manager, Art Collins. "The response to Iggy was more passionate than for any other Session," McGuinn says. The final hurdle: Virgin wanted to send Iggy solo. "We actually passed," he says. "I thought it would be cooler to take advantage of The Khyber and have a band thing." With the label and Y100 committed to make Skull Ring happen, Iggy happened. So, thanks.… WhoWhatWhere: Eve and Mickey Rooney were spotted in Old City within hours of each other. That's unnerving. Even more so, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey shot bits of Newlyweds at Sofitel before their Jingle Ball appearance. That was Nick King, Northeast Philly's awards crasher, at Billboard's Music Awards, accepting 50 Cent's prize for best rapper of 2003 from Celine Dion. Whiskey Dix has been steamed up. Not just because Reggie and the Full Effect performed after-hours to 20 attendees, but because booker Jeff Thies had a run-in with Korn's Fieldy while guest bartending. "I told him his band sucked. Next thing I know he wants to fight," says Thies. Cooler heads prevailed and Thies will go on fisticuffless, DJ'ing E-Factory's Stillborn Fest on Dec. 26.… After just finishing an EP and finding a sax player (Joe Fresien), Ben Edwards headlines Brat's Mummers Museum fundraiser, Dec. 21, with Santa Fergie. Plus, Edwards reunites with busted-up pals Edgar Allan and the Poettes, Dec. 20 at Tritone.… This Radiant Boy promises holiday costumes, Palomar and Overlord at a "Very Kung-Fu X-Mas," Dec. 19 at The Khyber. That same night, at Trenton's Conduit, John Eddie hosts his party for Toys for Tots (bring something!)… Since there's no Christmas like a ganja'd one, Jack Boogi and Solomonic Sound host "Holiday Culture Bashment 2003," with King Selecta, Ital Sound and Adam West, Dec. 20 at Phith Warehouse (Fifth and Thompson sts.)… Philly's ItsAboutMusic.com's It's About Christmas CD gets a release party at The Point, Dec. 18 with Jim Boggia, Ben Arnold, Barbara Montgomery and some contributors who almost made Christmas intolerable. They know who they are.… If you're not fucking, you can at least think about it with Fetishes Boutique owner Kali Morgan's just-out monthly mag, Passonal, and Psydde Delicious' "Pornaoke" at Lucy's, Dec. 23. "Pornaoke offers guests the chance to grab a mic and contribute their own "sound effects or dialogue' to clips of everyone's favorite moments in porn," says Delicious. Beauty biz: Molletta hosts Philly-expat/Brides Noir Editor Cheryl Ann Wadlington Dec. 20. Local Web-shopping wonder Milla by Mail's array of label-ites (Anja Flint, Rebecca Taylor, Tarina Tarantino) do their fashion-show thing at Perry Milou Gallery Dec. 18.… Raccoon songwriters Scott McMicken and Toby Leaman have teamed up to write three-part-harmony pop as Dr. Dog and, at the behest of My Morning Jacket's Jim James, will join MMJ on tour. Before going, Dog hits Mill Creek Tavern, Dec. 20.… B-day busses to punk-rock sorts Rich Lustre and Ben Morgan, to Shampoo's Dan Contarino, who'll celebrate by having Miss Phoenixx sing her contributions to Randall Jones' Patchwork EP, and to Nicole Cashman who gets her cake Dec. 18, after Saks' "Shop Like a Rock Star" event after-party at 32°.

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