Icepack

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

by A.D. Amorosi

With Thanksgiving, THE season for old friends — to say nothing of hard sour drinking, the bittersweet use of coke for the first time in a year, and deep regret — begins. Embrace it. That's what Icepack will do in the coming weeks. First ol' pal on our list: Philly pop genius Bill Ricchini. That's right — genius. Sleigh bell-ringing efforts (2002's Ordinary Time, 2005's Tonight I Burn Brightly ) are uniquely ripe with Phil Spector and Brian Wilson touches, immensely passionate in their smartly literate lyricism, and feature pretty goils on their sleeve. Where'd Bill go after '05? "I tried to live the straight life but it didn't take," says Ricchini. "I spent my Saturdays at Home Depot and bought a Crock-Pot. But I had more songs in me." Yay. Those are the Baroque chamber torch tunes of his band, Summer Fiction, and its eponymous album that'll drop the day he plays Johnny Brenda's, Dec. 1. "Summer Fiction follows the story of a young girl coming of age told from the point of view of the heartbroken guys who fall for her. There's no better subject for a pop song than a pretty girl. Even better, a pretty girl who makes graves." Plus, it's as good as his previous CDs. Good to have you back, ol' buddy. (For more on the show, see Music.)

After hearing rumors about the sale of his swanky space, Walnut Street's Rum Bar, lessee Adam Kanter says he spoke with landlord Michael Singer and no one's going anywhere. "We're here to stay for some time," says Kanter. Yellow Birds for my friends.

I laughed and cried when I saw Jersey Boys, yup. Now it's your time to sob (and spend) when you hear "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" when Four Seasons Hotel, the Jersey Boys cast and Lisa Gaudio, daughter of Four Seasons non-hotel songwriter/member Bob Gaudio, unite for a concert/auction to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Nov. 29. A live auction of Frankie Valli and co. memorabilia is hosted by Jerry Blavat. Go already.

Live Arts/Fringe Fest 2011 good news/bad news: Good? LAFF co-commissioned (with Phila Theater Initiative ) a new work from the U.K.'s Improbable Theatre with The Devil and Mister Punch. Sad stuff? Fringe booker John Emory (of Badmaster Records fame) left his post for "bigger things," according to Fest honchos.

Bring on Parc bartender George Reilly's Twisted Tail, a blues/bourbon saloon intended to hit ye olde Kildare's space on Second off South, mid-2011. The Kimmel plays host to DJ Rahsaan Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m. for its Fania Records party, a big deal as the long-independent Latin label (home of Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Willia Colon ) is back in action, remastering its catalog 'n' all.

More Ice, in cube form at Critical Mass.

(a_amorosi@citypaper.net)