February 7–14, 2002

cover story

City Paper’s All-Star Party Guide

THU., FEB. 7

1. Will Smith & Friends

Philly’s own Big Willy Smith kicks off the festivities with his trusty turntable technician — DJ Jazzy Jeff on the wheels of steel. Starring Atlanta "Mouf of the South": Ludacris headlines the show, with Mr. Cheeks checking in for the assist. Funnyman Jamie Foxx plays host while DJ Biz Markie rotates the records. With the Fresh Prince and Jazz in the house together, we can only hope for "Summertime" or "Parents Just Don’t Understand."

9 p.m., $60, Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow Sts., 215-627-1332, www.electricfactory.com.

2. NBA All-Star Jam Session by Fleer College Night & NBA All-Star Wheelchair Classic

Campusphilly.org and Fleer present an evening of dribbling coed fun. Complete with slam-dunk courts, NBA mascots, three-point courts and a tandem dunk team, the Convention Center is ripe for action. College dance and Greek step teams from Temple, Lincoln, Villanova and Penn will entertain, along with live action from Naughty by Nature, Fat Joe, City High and Philly’s own Miss Jade and Floetry. The All-Star Wheelchair classic sets off at 5 p.m.

4-10 p.m., $15, $10 for Campus Philly members, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Market sts., 215-636-3300, www.campusphilly.org.

3. Fourth Annual NBA All-Star Pre-Party

Forget the Super Bowl — this is the super-soul throw-down with live performances by Dawn Robinson and Philly’s Amel Larrieux and Bilal. Hosted by the Milwaukee Bucks’ Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson and Jason Caffey, with DJs Cosmic Kev, Tat Money and Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC holding court on the decks.

Polly Esther’s, 1201 Race St., 9 p.m.-3 a.m., $30, $60, $100 V.I.P. (A portion of the proceeds to benefit Philadelphia’s Girls Sports Initiative), tickets at www.urbanevents.com or 888-239-0768.

4. The Official Allen Iverson Thursday Night All-Star Weekend Party

Featuring NBA Baller No. 1, Allen Iverson, and broadcasting live on Power 99-FM with DJ Cosmic Kev on the wheels of steel.

9 p.m.-5 a.m., $60 in advance, Brave New World, 720 Arch St., 215-413-4000.

5. 2002 Playas Ball

Broadcasting live on Philly 103.9-FM with Michael Shawn and Lady B, neo-soulster Monique Mosee plays the V.I.P. room. Count on Eagle Brian Mitchell, Raider Terry Kirby and many mo’ famous folk to be in the house.

$65, $125 in advance (Benefit for the Black America Web Relief Fund Supporting Sept. 11 Tragedies), TPDS Club, 114 S. 12th St., www.ticketmaster.com, 215-873-0400.

6. Magic Johnson Foundation All-Star Liberty Ball Gala

To raise money and awareness for minority health-care initiatives, Earvin "Magic" Johnson teams with CN8’s Arthur Fennell to present an elegant evening of fashion, music and dining.

6:30-10:30 p.m., $125-$10,000 (ballers!), Franklin Institute, 20th and the Parkway, for tickets and more information call 866-642-9771.

FRI., FEB. 8

7. Inner-City Games Auction Party with Run-DMC

Party with The Answer as Mark Cuban hosts a night of money raising for NBA-related Philly nonprofit The Inner-City Games (which provides after-school and summer camp for low-income kiddies). Catch the world premiere of the Allen Iverson DVD, bid on fly NBA stuff and rock with the kings of rap: the legendary Run-DMC.

6-10 p.m., $200, $250 at the door, Zanzibar Blue, 200 S. Broad St., 215-772-9211.

8. Old School Reunion Jam

Hosted by WDAS’ Patty Jackson with live action from E.U. of School Daze and Da Butt featuring Sugar Bear.

10 p.m.-3 a.m., $25 in advance, Zanzibar Blue, 200 S. Broad St., 215.732.5200.

9. Kid Capri’s All-Star Party

Hosted by Vivica Fox with NBA All-Star Antoine Walker, Phoenix’s Stephon Marbury and Boston’s Paul Pierce along for the ride. The Kid owns the turntables, and expect a few Motown artists to take the stage.

5 p.m.-5 a.m., $25 in advance, Brave New World, 720 Arch St., 215-413-4000.

10. Basketball: The Game On and Off the Court

NBA athletes, legends, columnists and sportscasters sit down with children for a two-hour back and forth on topics like "Life After Injury," and "What’s the Business of Basketball?" to name a few. A limited amount of tickets are available for grassroots community-based organizations and schools to attend the special educational forum.

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The African American Museum, 701 Arch St., 215-574-0380.

11. Janet Jackson

Janet — Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty — plays a big show, with Ginuwine warming up the crowd.

8 p.m, $29.25-$67.25, First Union Center, Broad St. and Pattison Ave., 215-336-3600, www.electricfactory.com.

12. Kool Moe Dee’s Ol Skool All-Star Jam

Check the rhyme y’all — it’s back in the day heaven with live mic-checkin’ from Kool Moe Dee, Doug E. Fresh and Rahiem of the Furious 5. Now clap your hands everybody — for DJ Cash Money on the decks.

9 p.m.-3 a.m., $15, Chemistry, 4100 Main St., 215-483-4100, www.ticketweb.com.

13. Absolut Vodka Hollywood Rock & Jock Celebrity All-Star Bash

Donald Faison (NBC’s Scrubs) and Philly’s Joe Hill, Ike Ewell and Duane Lassiter host this shindig with MTV’s Carson Daly, Jah Rule, Morris Chestnut, Jamie Foxx, ‘NSync’s Justin Timberlake, the cast from Not Another Teen Movie and American Pie’s Jason Biggs in the house. Beware of raging dancers, fire eaters, models in surprise attire, a laser light show and enough hip-hop and deep house to keep your dance card full (courtesy of our own DJ Cozmic Cat). Enjoy the 9-11 p.m. open bar and the stunning champagne and sushi bar in the V.I.P. lounge.

$100, Bash, 450 N. Sixth St., 215-232-BASH, www.tickets.com or 800-955-5566.

14. CKP’s Blue Funk: The Soul Purpose

Philly natives know when Blue Funk hits the fan: It’s on. It’s live music, comedy, spoken word and good ol’ down-home partying with song by Faith Evans, Kenny Lattimore and Treyo; laughter courtesy of Cedric the Entertainer, Turae and Dee Lee; and the spoken word, Lamar Hill and Lady Danco.

8 p.m, $60, $100 V.I.P., Kimmel Center of Performing Arts, 260 S. Broad St., tickets 215-893-1999.

15. Sega Sports Philly All-Star Concert Series

Philly’s musical renaissance proves its dominance with the Philly All-Star concert featuring The Roots, Jill Scott, Kindred, Aaries, Jaguar Wright, Bilal, Musiq Soulchild and the incredible DJ Jazzy Jeff. Wow. The jam session runs three full, uninterrupted hours for nonstop Philly funk. Special added bonus: You can play the hottest new Sega games! ($10,000 bones will be donated to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation in support of music education in Philadelphia.)

8 p.m., $75, $30 after-party, $100 (includes after-party with DJ Biz Markie), The Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-627-1332, www.electricfactory.com.

16. P. Diddy’s All-Star Lounge

Hosted by Magic Johnson, Puffy and Jermaine Dupri, this is one of the big star-studded galas. DJ Biz Markie rotates the records with a little help from Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh on the mic.

8 p.m., $75, $250 V.I.P., Franklin Institute, 20th and the Parkway, 215-448-1200, www.ticketmaster.com.

17. Vikter Duplaix Album Release Party

Philly native, producer, DJ and "it" man, Vikter Duplaix spins in support of his debut album, DJ Kicks.

10 p.m.-2 a.m., $8, Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St., 215-629-0565.

SAT. FEB. 9

18. Sega Sports Philly All-Star Concert Series

The Roots, Jaguar Wright, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Bilal, Aaries, Kindred and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

8 p.m., $75, $30 after-party, $100 for both, The Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-627-1332, www.electricfactory.com.

19. The Philadelphia Story

Rasheed Wallace, Cuttino Mobley, Alvin Williams and Marc Jackson throw down for the hometown with Power 99-FM’s DJ Cosmic Kev.

10 p.m.-3 a.m., $50, $100 V.I.P., Independence Brew Pub, 1151 Filbert St., 215-922-4292, www.phillyallstar.com.

20. Tastytreats

Trying to escape All-Star madness? This is the place to acquire some bona fide Philly hip-hop culture, with Roots’ drummer, Ahmir "DJ ?uestlove" Thompson and DJ Train at the helm.

10 p.m.-2 a.m., $10, Filo’s, 408 S. Second St., 215-238-0151, www.squarebiz.org.

21. Fubu Good Life Party

Hosted by the Fubu design team with NY’s Funkmaster Flex on the turntables.

9 p.m.-5 a.m., $25 in advance, Brave New World, 720 Arch St., 215-413-4000.

22. P. Diddy’s All-Star Lounge at the Franklin Institute

Part II of the Puffster’s party features slam dunk contest and IMAX viewing theater for hot video rotation. Hosted by Magic Johnson, Jermaine Dupri and the Diddy himself. N.Y.’s Hot 97-FM’s DJ Enuff and Big Rich Medina dig deep in the crates. Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick are back for Round 2.

6 p.m., $75, $250 V.I.P., Franklin Institute, 20th and the Parkway, www.ticketmaster.com.

23. Love ’n’ Basketball

The Sqaurebiz crew host N.Y.’s DJ of the stars, Mark Ronson, along with DJs Rome, Cosmo, ?uestlove, Excell, Quick and Mike Nyce.

10 p.m.-6 a.m., call for price, Palmer Social Club, 601 Spring Garden St., 215-925-5000, www.squarebiz.org.

SUN. FEB. 10

24. Rasheed Wallace Blade 2 Post Game Party

Celebrating the release of Wesley Snipes’ new movie, Blade 2, Bilal, Jadakiss and City High "appear" at Rasheed Wallace’s last hurrah for the weekend. DJ Enuff rotates the wax.

10 p.m.-3 a.m., $50, $100 V.I.P., Polly Esther’s, 1201 Race St., 215-851-0776, www.ticketmaster.com.

25. The Chicago NBA Player’s Ball

Hosted by R. Kelly, featuring NBA All-Star Chicago natives Antoine Walker (Celtics), Michael Finely (Mavs) and Kevin Garnett (Timberwolves). Former Bulls Charles Oakley, Penny Hardaway and Rod Strickland will also be in the house. The Chi-town DJ squad includes DJs Mike Love, Pharris Thomas, The Twilite Tone and Mark Fullaflava.

9 p.m.-3 a.m.,$40 in advance, $60, $100 V.I.P. at the door, Ben Franklin Hotel (ballroom), Ninth and Chestnut sts., tickets 773-206-0677.

26. Candyland

Get some of the good ol’ Soulquarian love as Common hosts this deliciously sweet night, with DJs ?uestlove and Cosmo Black mashing it up in the DJ booth.

10 p.m.-2 a.m., $10, The Five Spot, 5 S. Bank St., 215-574-0070, www.squarebiz.org.

27. Philly NBA Mom’s Breast Cancer Brunch

Honorary chair Patti LaBelle, Jackie Wallace (Rasheed), Jackie Mobley (Cuttino) and Alfreda Williams (Alvin) sit down for a silent sports auction, music and dining. Honorees include Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Simon Gratz b-ball coach Bill Ellerbee. Soul Food’s Boris Kodjoe (on the cover of this month’s Essence ) will sign autographs. All proceeds benefit the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation and The Rasheed Wallace Foundation.

10 a.m.-2 p.m., $200 V.I.P., $100 (in advance); $250 V.I.P., $150 (at the door), Independence Brew Pub, 1151 Filbert St., 215-922-4292, www.ticketmaster.com.

28. The Official NBA All-Star "Wrong Songs" After-Party

Hosted by radio jocks Russ Parr and Olivia Fox with DJ Six Sense on the wheels of steel, this one is dedicated to Chocolate City. Special live performance by the one and only "Godfather of Go-Go," Chuck Brown, Bitts & Pieces and Lil Benny & Funk.

9 p.m.-2 a.m., $50 in advance, The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut sts., tickets 202-361-8938.

29. The Doug Banks and DeDe McGuire All-Star Jam Finale

Angie Stone and Regina Belle sing up a soulful storm.

$30, Zanzibar Blue, Broad and Walnut sts., 215-732-4500, www.ticketmaster.com.

30. Allen Iverson All-Star Triple Threat Bowling Party

3-7 p.m., $50, Jillians, Franklin Mills Mall, Woodhaven Road west of I-95, 215-569-8360.

31. Ultimate NBA All-Star Party

Watch the game on 30 TV screens at this party hosted by Tracy McGrady, Antonio Walker and former Sixer Theo Ratliff. Special performance by Warner Bros. recording artist Tweet and wax spinnin’ by DJs Biz Markie, S&S and Flow.

4 p.m.-2 a.m., $65, $100 V.I.P., Independence Brew Pub, 1151 Filbert St., 215-242-4056.