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July 10-16, 2003 music icepackFrom Atlantic City to Fifth and Arch and then off to see our fireworks: That was my Independence week, with pre-opening bashes at the Borgata and the National Constitution Center (NCC). I even squeezed in meeting They Might Be Giants’ Johns Linnell and Flansburgh at their Gigantic opening at the Prince. But let’s compare the two openings: Borgata was weirdly austere and brassy (it’s a casino!), with faux Greco-meets-Deco touches. The NCC was stately with lots of glass and marble. NCC had copper-dyed mock-statue models. Borgata had bar gals in skimpy outfits. Borgata opened late (first dice roll just before midnight on July 2), NCC was early. Borgata had cheesy stars: David Arquette in a Western suit and two-tone sunglasses, Vincent Gallo with Rosario Dawson, Stephen Dorff and Mae Anderson (holding hands) and leather-Kangol-capped Joe Pantoliano, who snagged $30 off columnist Bonnie Squires when she asked to take a picture of him throwing dice. (He doubled up on seven, but only paid back the $30. Dag.) NCC had respectable names: Jon Stewart, Peter Jennings, Walter Isaacson, Richard Dreyfuss. But unlike the NCC, at Borgata I didn’t nearly get killed by falling frames, like Sandra Day O’Connor, Mayor John Street and Arlen Specter (damn, missed him!). But I lost cash at craps, so it’s even.… Famed South Street meatery Ron’s Ribs has reopened. Closed after the passing of Ron Washington, his brother Kevin just took over the hot spot. Dig in. Other familiar Philly foodies are recycling a bit of South Philly: Dmitri Chimes took Roma at 24th and Lombard and made it into the generically named Italian Restaurant. The folks at Chickie’s & Pete’s just opened a new location at 15th and Packer in what used to be a Super Fresh.… End of an era: The layout of J.C. Dobbs -- stage on floor one, pool table on two -- will change under Daryl Madden, as he places a tiny stage where the billiards once were and turns the downstairs into a restaurant (which was one-time partner Jeff Fusco’s plan). Trend watch: With Whiskey Dix de rigueur among sniffly biker dudes, the babes who love them and tech-metal rock types (booked by Jeff Thies and soon, Bryan Dilworth), look for ye olde Barbary to reopen at Frankford and Delaware aves. within a week.… When David Carroll isn’t busy starting Magazine’s Monday "Supper Club" with chef Peter Dunmire’s different themed prix fixe meals, he’s at Bar Noir, welcoming home Euro-traveling partner/b-day boy Larry Berk and gal-pal, photog Lorraine Daley, July 15.… Speaking of b-day boys and their clubs, Rick D. celebrates his along with the second anniversary of his club, Tritone, with a week of events: the Rock Tits second year celebration/bbq (in Tritone’s new courtyard dining area) July 15 with DJs Flood, Hodges and Nez; the return of Philly-gone-Baltimore-ians Krakatoa, who release their second CD with a bash July 19; and Needles Jones’ b-day "Life Well Squandered" July 25. Other hot spots with anniversaries: TronikKru (Art Cuebik, Joey Brkdwn, Armen and Magin Boo) groove to one year of D&B Sessions at Saint Jack’s July 11 (Brkdwn also hits the newly named Hot Point, formerly Liquid Blue, July 12.) And the TLA/Philadelphia Film Society (which just lost co-exec director John Cochie and lawyer Rich Horrow, but gained attorney Jackie Borrock) help G-Room party gals Marion Leary and Amanda Leahy celebrate G-Room’s first anniversary with "The Gasoline Party" July 12 at 2-4, including a fashion show by Sparacino-Mens and Buffalo Exchange.… Club Nostradamus’ Robin Parry, after the success of her lawn show with Happy Rhodes, goes for Living Room Concert No. 2 with Julia Othmer July 12. RSVP to rstarz3@aol.com.… WhoWhatWhere: Comics have to eat, too: Jackie Mason supped at Bookbinders on 15th Street, Bill Cosby noshed at Pif and Vetri and the inadvertantly hilarious Jimmy Buffett ate twice at Alma de Cuba.… Speaking of laughs: Philly actor Steve Lippe’s bro, Curt, is taking on the role of Capt. Jeffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho Marx’s African explorer/schnorrer) in Animal Crackers, starting July 10 (at Actors’ NET of Bucks County in Morrisville).… One band you know, three you don’t: Arista signees Silvertide are back from working on their debut album (due in January ’04), and will appear at Abilene July 10 and 17. Young Werewolves get ready to release their CD with gigs at The Khyber (July 11) and a Sunday residency at (again) Whiskey Dix. Shannon Kennedy’s charmingly lite-rocking Feathermerchants unleash Unarmed Against the Dark July 10 at The Point. And the vibrant colors of Philly’s Indre-recorded Afro-Cubano jam band, Bohemian Sunrise, are revealed on their new CD, Intoxicating, and at its release bash, July 12 at The Fire.… Congrats to Magnet magazine editor/publisher Eric Miller, who married the mag’s art director, Kimberly Merritt, at City Hall with their dog, Higgins, in the house (I even knew before Matt Fritch).… The sad: It’s a bad time time for dying. If Katharine Hepburn and Barry White didn’t get you, say a sorry goodbye to two local legends, longtime bar owner Frank “Smockey” LaMassa and old-school kids TV host Chief Halftown. 
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