Icepack

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

by A.D. Amorosi

I have an uncomfortable relationship with New Jersey. Love the tomatoes. Everything else goes up for grabs as the summer wind blows. But in the weeks leading up to tax day, I’ve been spending lots of time in Juhsey. Not as much as I once did at the casinos — then again who is — but horse tracks, cock fights. When I’m not punching roosters or driving a chariot around circles, I’m watching NJ on television. I’m obsessed with Real Housewives of New Jersey. After seeing Bravo’s preview and impersonating heavily accented Caroline Manzo’s “thick as thieves” line (a voice equal parts Luca Brazi and Joan Rivers) on Dan Reed’s rush-hour XPN show last Thursday, I wandered over to a Bravo network message board. There I caught wind of the rumor that some of the anonymous “write-ins” were coming from the Housewives themselves, in response to negative comments about them. One of them made the bloodlust of Goodfellas sound like Hannah Montana in comparison. Suddenly I ’membered what I liked about Jersey: Its women take no fucking prisoners.

► Know who else I like outta-the-garden state? Dave Dingwall. I didn’t appreciate that looong-time Atlantic City singer/jokester/MC at first. When director Marc Brodzik first sent me a bunch of Rappin Rodney videos that he did with Dingwall and record producer Aaron Levinson, I asked how much weed the videographer and the mixologist had schmoked. (Take a hit yourself at davedingwall.com.) Then I ran into my mishpoche Levinson at Johnny Brenda’s who told me how noble Dingwall was despite seeming silly. “Dave is about providing a sort of humorous solace in a deeply troubled time and only wants people to laugh a little,” says Levinson. He recorded Dingwall’s “Blue Collar Shuffle” at Range Recordings in Ardmore. “Dave really is talking to everyone who’s out there grinding it out.” Besides, Dingwall is donating all proceeds from April 21’s VIP Music Video Release Party/live band performance at Silk City to the Philadelphia Police Survivors Fund (he’s suffered a couple fallen officers in his own family). How high do you have to be to NOT dig Dingwall?

► Speaking of NJ casinos (about 300 words ago), remember six-or-so weeks ago when I dropped word on Philly expat Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein getting involved with a new club, Dusk, at Caesars? Back then I questioned how a guy who nearly lost his life in a plane crash could waste precious life and an investment of time/possibly money on a city losing its shirt. Strongbox’s Brett Perloff, who’ll promote Fridays at Dusk, reminded me then that A.C.’s clubs (e.g. mur.mur) were doing great in opposition to its casinos. Howssat? 

ICEPACK ONLINE EXTRA:

► So how does Dusk dawn on you, Eric Millstein? "Sure, the casinos seem to be feeling the effects of the economy," says Millstein of the Red Stripe Plane Group, one of the operators/creators of Dusk at Caesars Atlantic City. He doesn't believe there's a correlation between clubbers and gamblers. "We and DJ AM are building a high-end luxury nightlife venue and feel as if the majority of the customers that frequent these types of spots do not consider the sluggish economy. They do not have mortgages, 401Ks or children going to college. These patrons have disposable income that they are willing to spend on nightlife, fashion and entertainment. These 20-to-30-somethings live at home or with their friends in rented apartments. They are more concerned with the possibility of romance and what celebrity will be in Dusk than the Dow Jones. Our high end bottle service customers will continue to spend. Buying a couple of bottles to be seen doesn't even scratch the surface of what they are used to spending."

► Richard Wexler's next classic Sherman Arts live production will take place on April 17 with Brown Recluse Sings, Literature and Tim Showalter at 45th and Locust's Green Line Café. Then there's April 20's Radiolorians (they used-to-be known as Coat Hangers) show at National Mechanics with Psalmships (featuring members of Sweetheart Parade) and troubadour Bob Carlton. Earlier that eve at National Mechanics is an Inside the Actor's Studio-esque preview for Bckseet Productions' Raised IN Captivity by Nicky Silver. That play opens April 15 at Society Hill Playhouse and will be the final production of Bckseet's 2008-09 season.

► 1020 and 1030 Delaware Ave., located across from the SugarHouse whatever, used to be a premier Philadelphia recording studio and rehearsal spot where Bon Jovi (JERSEY IN THE HOUSE) and BoyzIIMen made albums when albums were still vinyl. Now the properties just got bought by South Street real estate mogul Michael Samsychyk for what'll probably become mixed-use condo-and-office-space. That's a sweet purchase, Michael. 

► After runs at the M Room and Billy Wong's Chinatown boite, Alex Stranng's Puppet Karaoke Show hits Connie's Ric-Rac April 17 with comedienne Carolyn Busa co-hosting.

► If you can't get Jamie Foxx to play cello, ask Mary Lattimore, Brooke Sietinsons and Margaret Ayre of The Valerie Project to help you do promotions for Paramount's The Soloist. The trio will be at the Comcast Center at noon for a free performance April 17.

► What's new at Union Trust other than the bone-in beauties they got grilling? We're hearing that the Chestnut Street location is taking its time developing and opening its fourth floor for a ways-away open air/hydraulics-driven lounge where smoking can occur. And I don't mean smoked meat. Smashing.

► Mike Pormeranz might've sailed off to NYC. But the Philly expat still has some hometown up his sleeve so his arch pop band, The World Blanket, hits April 17 at Tritone for his belated "B-Day Bash Redux" show with Jupiter One. "This'll be the first show of my 30s," says Mike. Hmm. I'll buy it if you will. Salud.

► WHOWHATWHERE: TLA's Eric Schute and Philly fave adult starlet/mummy Stoya celebrated director Jesse Stock Buckton's b-day AND the finish of their Popporn/Zero Tolerance debut film to be released late May (starring Nina Hartley) at National Mechanics. Pal/photog Scott Weiner told me it was he who got publicist Randy Alexander to provide Leon Huff with a b-day cake the day that the Sound of Philly maestro had a street in Camden named after him — this after he photographed Perez Hilton with a birth-biscuit at the Borgata the week previous. Debbie Harry celebrated being herself, alone, unfettered by cakes or exes at Silk City. 

HALF OFF DEPOT

Why live life at full price?

► On April 18, Philly-gone-Manhattan memoirist Jim Knipfel returns to our scene of his crimes, to read from his new Simon & Schuster novel Unplugging Philco at his old pal David E. Williams' Germ Books.

► Funny you should ask: Last week I mentioned the Octopus on Delaware Ave, a new club opening this season. But I just realized I didn't tell you what and where it is. The Octopus (or Octo Grille) is at ye old Rock Lobster and will be opened by Clark Maloney who managed the Rock when 1996 didn't seem oh-so 13 years ago. We hear Memorial Day for the big Octo opening.

► Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown, ex-Apprentice Erin Elmore, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Varsovia Fernandez, articles editor for Philadelphia magazine Michael Callahan — all these people will be performing in "Dancing With The Philadelphia Stars," the first-ever prancing event to raise Sickle Cell awareness Sun., April 19, 5 p.m. at the Crystal Tea Room. But only one dancer — Jimmy Contreras, lifestyle consultant — is opening his own store soon after. "I was asked to be a part of 'Dancing with the Philadelphia Stars' by Megan Smith from Brownstone Public Relations in September," says Contreras. "I was thrilled, plus it's for charity. I love Dancing with the Stars, so I thought if Gilles Marini can do it, I can, too. It's been hard trying to learn all the dance steps and choreography that goes along with it. I'm not in shape, so you can imagine the workout I get. I am dancing the Quick Step with my dance partner/instructor Audrey. After all is said and done, it will be a great number." And what about his new boutique, JimmyStyle? "Oh this will be a great start to my dream of having my own brand." Stay tuned. We have a few weeks until JimmyStyle pops up on East Passyunk Ave.

► Speaking of worthy charities, Heaven Sent Bulldog Rescue hosts its seventh Mid-Atlantic BullyFest April 18, from noon to 5 p.m. (rain date: Sun., April 19) at 175 Taunton Lake Road, Marlton, N.J. Heaven Sent Bulldog Rescue is a nonprofit charity that provides foster care, vet services and rehabilitation for bulldogs in need in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. All funding comes from donations. I like dogs about a gazillion more times than l like people so get there and aid the precious pooches. In 2008 Heaven Sent rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed 97 bulldogs. For more information, including directions, contact hsrescue@aol.com or visit heavensentbulldogrescue.com.

► And speaking of bulldogs, Bill Callahan will hit A.K.A. Records on Friday, April 17, at 8 p.m. playing songs from his barkingly good new CD Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle. He ain't performing live shows anywhere else. So freebies it is. Bow wow.