We love independent promoters here at Icepack. They're furry, cute and make squiggly noises. Wait. Might be thinking of Tribbles. OK. We still dig Philly's indie promoters, especially since they're being besieged by a proposed City Council bill — 100267 — regarding special assembly occupancies. The bill makes it so local promoters must get permits from the police commish 30 days before each event, create a detailed security plan and maintain order so attendees don't congregate in a disorderly fashion, amongst other things. That's strict. Who's going to the orderly party?! I'll be writing in upcoming weeks. ► Larry Magid is independent since his Electric Factory Concerts parted ways with LiveNation in February. While Magid modestly insists there's no big news ("yet"— and he wouldn't confirm or deny rumors that he's bringing Paul McCartney to A.C. or Philly), he did add that Bryan Dilworth's new company is booking Electric Factory (gigs with Broken Bells and Hole), but isn't an outright hire. "I'm just trying to have a little fun and set the future up for some people that've been with me for a while by keeping my hand in things," says Magid, who also brought on Carolyn Kalinoski to do promotions.
► Philly noise-king Matt Garfield of Mose Giganticus just signed a contract with the hard-n-heavy Relapse label. Though Gift Horse ain't getting released till July, Mose'll mosey to Danger Danger Gallery May 8.
► Just 'cause childhood pals Sean Stein and Brett Perloff hate each other now since co-owning Pearl didn't jive for them, doesn't mean life stops. Perloff, who sold his interest in Walnut Street's Strongbox in November '09, is currently readying an undisclosed-as-yet spot with ex-Denim-dude Wayne Schulick. As for Stein, he and Gary Dorfman open Jake's Sandwich Board near 12th and Sansom on May 10, where they'll be roasting pigs whole.
► First we heard local comedian Kent Haines — winner of 2008's Philly's Phunniest at Sansom Street's chuckle boite Helium — was leaving town after making a mega-success of himself following 2009's Comedy Central series Live at Gotham. Sob. Then we heard Helium was heading west. It is, but won't skip town. Marc Grossman's opening Helium No. 2 in Portland, Ore. More locales are being considered.
► Mad muralist/sketcher Raphael Tiberino's having a big art show May 7 at Salon Joose on North Third. It's not just a retrospective of the last 20 years. "The show'll deal with oil paintings, watercolors, pen, inks and prints from Philly to New York and back again and, of course, comic book pages," says Tiberino. "It's going to be a real celebration."
► While area rawk photog/buddy-o-mine Scott Weiner spends his birthday (May 7) watching Michelle Bombshell McGee, Gina Lynn and Damon Feldman slap each other goofy at Pennant East in Bellmawr, N.J., his daughter Mariel Weiner will be guest bartending with Courtney Strawder at N.E.’s swankest après-heur joint, Karma.
➤ Those Dark Fields scenes where Bradley Cooper’s character meets Robert De Niro’s character shoot this Monday at Del Frisco’s. Are you talking to me, porterhouse? By the way DeNiro’s mostly been a no-show around town, only spotted at Union Trust and Loews Hotel where his scenes were shot. Shoot.
➤ L’Amuse brasserie at the newly opened Le Meridien Hotel on Arch Street should be ready to pop this week.
➤ WHOWHATWHERE: I’m no stalker but I keep seeing David Strathairn leaving Leaving rehearsals at the Wilma and walking down Spruce with papers in his hand and heading toward the lower numbers. When Norm MacDonald was in town over last weekend to headline Helium, he was spied eating at Ted’s Montana Grill. Hey somebody has to.
➤ It was fabulous to see that Philly’s Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff will receive Honorary Doctor of Music degrees at Berklee College of Music Commencement ceremonies on May 8. Then you see that other past recipients include Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Miami Sound Machine’s Gloria and Emilio Estefan and you think “eh.”
➤ This Sunday’s MTV Jams’ Philly Day will play vids and live performances by local-only groovy artists such as Hall & Oates, The Roots, Will Smith and Freeway. Dig that. Blame the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.’s Philly 360°Coalition for that push.