Icepack

Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.

by A.D. Amorosi

I was gonna draw parallels between this weekend's 250th birthday celebration for sculptor William Rush (and the rare opening of the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge's Masonic Temple on Broad Street) on Nov. 11 and that same day's show with Fern Knight (Margaret Wienk and The Espers' Greg Weeks 'n' Meg Baird) at Johnny Brenda's. Until I realized that Wienk/Knight's debut U.S. CD, Music for Witches and Alchemists, was even creepier than any old Masons could be. And more powerful. And twice as covert — because Espers form this crazy-ass secret society that, come 250 years from now, we'll hold celebrations for at their old house in North Philly. "I think the CD spins a spooky autumnal tale," says Wienk of the eight-piece (including harp, cello and bowed saw) Fern. "We're hoping to re-create the magic of the recording in a live setting." Does she mean black magic? Great googley-mooglely-metaphysics.

► We know a "ricrac" is a type of clothing trim. So what the hell is Connie's Ric Rac in the Ital Market? We thought it was a thrift shop until we spied Mikey Wild blaring from within its black-lined walls. Now we're convinced it's the sickest new live space this week!

► Stay out the South with that hair, son: Trashlight Vision's Acey Slade got badly beaten wit' a beer bottle playing in Chapel Hill, N.C., weeks back. Fucking hillbillies. Acey continued to perform for several nights until finding he had blood and fluid on the eardrum. Trooper, that! Send fishy wishes and groupie kisses to trashlightvision69@hotmail.com.

► Check yer TV listings: Fab wild-maned Whitney Biennial photographess Zoe Strauss'll appear on Isaac Mizrahi's Style Net show any sec; a butch makeover, too. On a less happy gay note (for us viewers): The Here network filmed Love and Sex in Philadelphia with PGN pub Mark Segal and boy-toy Jason Villemez supping at Bump. No, I don't want to see that either. More TV: While home-recording the follow-up to Ordinary Time at his 12th and Moore house, Bill Ricchini found that the entirety of his "A Cold Wind Will Blow Through Your Door" will be featured at the finale of Nov. 9's Grey's Anatomy. That means you don't have to watch the whole show. "I've always wanted to be the soundtrack to young doctors humping in a closet," says Bill. And High School for Creative and Performing Arts drama grad Jimmy Shubert got a part on Entourage. Sweet. But what about Steve Malley? The Philly contractor whose firm builds H&Ms 'round town got a part in an upcoming Smith — Ray Liotta's new show — while simply strolling in L.A. No acting school. Nothing. That's gotta sting, Jim. Wait? Smith got cancelled. Dag! Felled before he started. Worse than any dead Desperate Housewife any day.

► When comedian Danny Ozark does his open mic Notebooks jawn at Bar Noir Nov. 13, the featured act'll be Germantown rapper Cesar. What's the big deal? The wily MC whose Remedy (Philthy) dropped weeks ago is getting heavily scouted by Atlantic Records.

► WHOWHATWHERE: While it's hard to beat thousands of leather-clad bikers with pink dolls and teddy bears strapped to their hogs during Toys for Tots 3 GTG at FDR Park this past weekend, I will say Robert Graham designer Robert Stock's visit to Neiman Marcus in Short Hills for his men's "Rebirth of the Cool" winter 2006 line (a military touch and mod herringbone) was pretty sharp.

► Overheard at a First Friday gallery opening from the lips of a renowned artist: "The Vox Populi benefits are cool. But aren't the artists all getting like a half a mil stipend from the Convention Center to relocate?" Eh!?

► What does World Café Live's Hal Real have in common with Ed Rendell and Larry Kane? Other than eyebrows? They're"Diamond in the Rough" awardees from Temple U's Young Alumni Association. Real gets his Nov. 9 at the Marriott. Speaking of Temple, I'm hitting the Philadelphia International Art Expo Nov. 10 (through 12) at Liacouras. Billy Dee Williams'll be there. Make like Brian's Song and cry when you see him.

► We know Clear Channel radio stations WDAS FM and Power 99 are cleaning house. But did they have to drop Jerry Wells and Inner City's Tiffany Bacon? Dag.

► Scribe-stuff: Philly Fiction 2, a compilation of short stories from Don Ron Books, wants submissions. Their first volume was delish. Get writing and go here: phillyfiction@yahoo.com. In accordance with Kimmel Center's McGarrigle Fam Christmas show with son Rufus Wainwright, Dec. 3, Kate and Ruf are looking for your favorite family holiday story. They're outrageous — so feel free to mention crystal meth and Merlot and send to mcgarrigle@kimmelcenter.org before Nov. 15. And speaking of fiction, I just finished Philly Mag's Philebrity story. I'da finished earlier but mah hands were shaking from laughing. Kudos all over the place on that one.

► Who the fuck is The Frantic from Trenton what beat our too-tough, too-worthy Beretta 76 in the battle of bands looking to open TLA's Nov. 25 Little Steven/New York Dolls show? Better be frantic enough to run fast! Luxx. It ain't soap. It's a mash-house party/art jamboree with disco-diva/li'l-bro DJ Robbie Tronco, new wave-y Jon Gill and visual-iste Media Giant every Tuesday at The Mansion at Rittenhouse, 121 S. 19th.

► Did'ja know: Philly's Andy Hurwitz has taken on a new partner for Ropeadope records and merch? His Downingtown-dwelling, clothing-making pal Louis Marks who's been partnered on Rope's stitching side for some time. "I'm still the head homie in charge," says Andy.

► After one year at Cafe Habana, Drake — trumpeter David Ramsey's drum/bass/classical/jazz outfit with cellist Monica McIntyre — does its last residency gig Nov. 10. Be there.

► Before we close, I wanted to send prayers to the fam and friends of Jason DiEmilio. His passing was tragic in every way. The Azusa Plane overlord made sleepy modern psychedelic music that mattered. Anytime I saw something from his Colorful Clouds for Acoustics label I knew it'd be something amazing because he was an amazing gentle guy whose music and personal life was felled by painful tinnitus and hyperacousis. "The weight of the world is lifted off of his chest," says his cousin, Neil Roosevelt. "He will be missed so much."

(a_amorosi@citypaper.net)