Icepack

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


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Published: Jul 21, 2009

According to Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince's "Charlie Mack (First Out of the Limo)," their "homeboy from around the block" is feared by suckers, a "hip-hop cop" who doesn't laugh, smile or sweat, doesn't break arms or legs yet once killed a man who wouldn't let go of his Eggo. That hardly seems like the guy who, since 2004, has hosted the Charlie Mack Celebrity Weekend (charliemackcelebrityweekend.com) to "Party 4 Peace" emphasizing violence prevention and education for the area's youth. Tyrese, Terrence Howard, Vanessa Williams and more check egos at the door this year (July 24 to 26). "I look at myself much like Robin Hood," says Mack, who lost two brothers to violence. "I want my celebrity friends to come here, not for the social factor, but to help make a change, to make differences in kids' lives and to galvanize a community. I want young women and men to know that they don't have to give up on themselves and that they have value — that life has value." There's more Charlie Mack in the online Icepack.

► Owner Edwin Hermance says Giovanni's Room (the oldest independent LGBTQ bookstore currently in the U.S.) must undergo intense reconstruction. Cost? "Roughly $50,000," writes Hermance, who reminisces about getting through tough times — like having bricks thrown through the window and being evicted by homophobic landlords from a previous space on Spruce. "But 100 volunteers helped renovate a building to make the beautiful space we've occupied since 1979." Volunteer again, watch for fundraisers, shop at Giovanni's in person and at queerbooks.com.

► Philm-makers Scott Johnston and Beth Kellner are one of three finalist couples with the chance to win an all-paid Star Trek wedding at The Franklin Institute as part of its Mandell Center exhibition. George "Sulu" Takei is but one of the judges. Make it the Kel-ston team, ya' honor.

► Punks need love. Bring ripped-stocking drag doyen Needles Jones mushy cake (his teeth) for his b-day party at National Mechanics July 27. And take care of Philly punk Toothless George Sugzdinis. His band the Percocettes sent cigs and invitations for its July 25 gig at J.D. McGillicuddy's to every tour stop Rancid's Tim Armstrong hits this month — including the July 25 Festival Pier gig. George even sent Hellcat — a label Armstrong owns — a hot pink, washing machine-size promo box that lights up when you open it and is filled with Perc's gear but, sadly, none of the actual pills. In case Armstrong shows up, fans, be sure to fill McGillicuddy's.

► Philly's Theatre Alliance won't announce '09's Barrymore noms till Aug. 3. But they've got Special Recognition Awardees: Society Hill Playhouse founders Deen and her late hubbie Jay Kogan in honor of SHP's 50th anniversary season.

► Rumor from l'Italian Market: While orange stickers front Teri's on Ninth (looking to sell liquor — good idear), I'm hearing that neighboring Connie's RicRac is finally earnest about getting its license and are prepared to sell Campbell's Soup and all manner of potato chip to fulfill its food-on-premises need. Apparently, if they get a license, they'll host contests for local brewmeisters to come up with a signature Connie's beer. LOVE THAT.

► Those of us who know and love comedian Danny Ozark know that his pop, Arthur Goldman, was one of Philly's pre-eminent hair salon owners. Starting in 1968, King Arthur's Court in the Hathaway House on Chelten Avenue (renamed Arthur's Hair Designers) was probably the only Caucasian location at the time to specialize in African-American hair with a racially integrated clientele and staff to go with it. Arthur passed away last week and we send our warmest condolences to our dearest friend, Danny.

► Think 50 million Elvis fans can't be wrong? Whaddayasay to 100+ Pennsylvania mayors who signed mayorsagainstillegalguns.org in order to provoke Sen. Arlen Specter to take loaded weapons out of the wrong hands? This is the first smart vote Mayor Nutter's made in some time.

► Love You, Mean It from director Pat Taggart — an alum from West Catholic, a star of the Philly-filmed Sure Looks Good — is shooting at that old high school of his and needs lots of extras. Filming in the gym or the library? Ask producer Frank Petka — loveyoumeanitextras@yahoo.com.

► Philly's jazz-bo Drake is teaming up with Hybrid (guitarist Nick Bockrath is in there somewhere) at Tritone July 23 and will have two new songs wherein their MCs (unknown even to Drake as of press time) will take on headlines of the day. This means the song will change each time they play it. That's sharp.

► I don't watch Kendra but I do watch The Soup's clip show and that's where I saw Philly expat Jonny Makeup the other day. Kendra is the Playboy bunny/Hugh Hefner ex who was on The Girls Next Door and is marrying/already married (who cares?) to Philadelphia Eagle Hank Baskett. Funnily enough, we knew Makeup was on this show, but somehow seeing it — ahhhhh — it was all too much.

► Also, we caught Danny DeVito on the AFI tribute to Michael Douglas (they did Romancing the Stone and The War of the Roses together) where DeVito shipped a video of himself (as a ninja of sorts) to Douglas, saying he couldn't be there as he was headed to Philly.

► Philly music doyenne Erin Riley gets a 50th birthday bash at her very own new music school in Phoenixville July 25. The Rock & Roll After School (kids ages 8-18) and its head mistress Riley will get b-day kisses from local players (Hooter John Lilley, Revue Bob Beru, Pernice Bro Pat Berkery), attorneys (Bernie Resnick, Marcy Wegman), radio peeps (John DeBella, Michael Tearson, Marilyn Russell) and DJs (the Baraness and Mr. Cisum). Many happys.

► WHOWHATWHERE: The Fire's tribute to Michael Jackson may've made MJ sound whiter than usual. But it did feature a rip-snorting gospel-ish take on "Man in the Mirror" from Andrew Lipke backed by the girls in the hard harmony-singing GoldieBox (we sooooo love these three) and a bluesy version of "Thriller" from Toy Soldiers. The biggest news was that the too-long-away, very clean and upright Philly guitarist Mike Tyler showed his face and played a few licks. Sweet emotion. After shooting at Fitler Square, Jack Nicholson's "son" (at least where Philly-filming James L. Brooks is concerned) Paul Rudd hit Oh! Shea's Pub on Sansom where he chummed it up with its regulars. Out Atlantic City way, Dusk played host to Robin Thicke (who did a few tunes), Kristine Cavallari and the recently broken-up Nick Lachey.

► East Passyunk is getting Fond and it's getting Fuel. Fond is an affordable American BYObistro at 1617 E. Passyunk from Philly pros who like French people Lee Styer and Jessie Prawlucki from Le Bec-Fin, Tory Keomanivong from Lacroix. Fuel is a healthful café at 1917 E. Passyunk from Rocco Cima. Both are looking at autumn to open.

HALF OFF DEPOT

Why live life at full price?

► Area-ite Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's Alec Ounsworth is saying "no" to his band for a moment and on Oct. 20 is releasing his solo debut, Mo Beauty, on Anti-. It was recorded in New Orleans with lots of THEIR locals, not ours.

► That Night of Lady Rockers and DJs at Tritone that is Sugar Town features, on July 25, Conversations with the Enemy, which stars some of West Philly's finest from The Bee Team, Sailboat and The Fourelles.

► Back to the Mack — Charlie Mack, that is. While his Celebrity Weekend will feature a LAFF 4 PEACE comedy gig at Yesha Hall, an All White bash at Plush and its after soiree at Ms. Tootsie's and b-ball events at Liacouras Center (check it all here: charliemackcelebrityweekend.com), Mack is far more serious than a party ball would portend. "Life is like marriage," he says. "You have to stick it out. Remember when you used to watch the news and seeing people killed would shock you? It's not a shock anymore. And that's insane." He should know. One of his brothers was murdered in 1994 and another in 2004. Having those tragic things happen to him put Mack in contact with the likes of Mothers in Charge and other area parenting organizations. "Remember that saying, 'It takes a village to raise a child'?" asks Mack. "I'm recalling that village. We need to take care of our own — and help them to help themselves. No child is safe — not mine, not yours. If there is a member of the community who doesn't realize his self-worth, he is a danger to the rest of us. And that's my responsibility — as a man — to make everyone aware of their worth." Each of the events planned for Mack's weekend is geared for maximum education — everything from going green to how to make this community safer. Mack's favorite event is one where he's taking all the female celebrities he's got coming and bringing them to the Riverside Female Correctional Center to help "women coming back home, to get them on the right track, to give them direction." In that regard, Mack sees himself like Robin Hood. "I want my celebrity friends to come here, not for the social factor. But to help make a change." So many repeat celebrities join Mack every year (Will Smith has attended in past but won't be there this weekend) because in Mack's estimation, these weekends are what charity events are supposed to do — cut to the core of the issues. "We live the fluff life, but that's not what's real." Having sat at the lap of cats like Dr J. when Mack was 14 and hearing how Julius Erving spoke to the community was what made Mack know he could do something right. "I don't think we can achieve everything in four days, but we have to get things moving in the right direction."

(a_amorosi@citypaper.net)