icepack

by A.D. Amorosi

A question for Philly4Dean folk: How stupid do you feel? The voice of the "disenfranchised" (marketing schtick as opportunistic as "alternative") not only got beat by Al Sharpton in South Carolina, he'll try anything -- even 20/20 -- to be loved. Howard Dean should be like Stu Bykofsky, who doesn't care if you love him. At least not much, judging by last week's wake/roast at Finnigan's Wake in celebration of his last gossip column. Bykofsky, roast-host Harry Jay Katz and Jerry Blavat were fine, barb-alicious in Rickles/Friars fashion. It was everyone else that bugged me. While Byko was dismayed no "pussies from Channel 6" came (methinks they were planning a Consumer Corner report: The dangers of EXTRA LARGE EARRINGS), I was dismayed by PGN publisher Marc Segal's sputtering, Larry Mendte and Dawn Stensland's Steve & Eydie routine (ugh), WMMR morning moan Joe Conklin's Philly-celeb impressions (ugh-EST!) and NBC 10's Joe Vasquez evoking Depression-era quipster Will Rogers. Oy. The currency. This crowd went to school with Rogers. When I started that night, I was the youngest media-mogul in the room. I ended the evening as its oldest. Loved it anyhoo.… After packing Tragos on Saturday for their Young Professionals Ball (Vasquez was there -- craving youth eternal?), the Young Prof event boys will get together with Paperstreet to pre-pre-open Fiso on South Street, the old site of Eden Roc, Feb. 21.… Dig Pontiac. But when the "Legendary Rock House" sent out releases promising a "new improved version of the room that broke acts like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine," Tom Sheehy, historian/publicist for Dobbs, the former occupant of 304 South St., took umbrage. "Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Rage never performed at Pontiac Grille," says Sheehy, noting those act played Dobbs. "To have played that restaurant, they had to have played after August 1996 when that establishment opened. Kurt Cobain died April 8, 1994. How did he perform there?" Pointing to former South Street rock-lairs Grendel's and Ripley's, Sheehy jokes about the "misleading" release. "Tower on South doesn't say U2 played in their magazine section. The Gap at Fifth doesn't say The Police played in their jeans section." Speaking of Fifth and South, when interviewing Book Trader owner Peter Hiler in December about his move to the space he subleases on N. Second Street (His tenant? The as-yet not-moving A.K.A. Records), Hiler mentioned Book Trader had to be out by January. Today he says, "We're out in the cold and had to make due." He's using his rare bookshop at 514 Bainbridge and the donated second floor of South Street's Bare Foot Shoes for "temporary" storage until A.K.A. finds new digs. "I hear they're making great strides in searching" he says.… While Gravy Thomas makes his Khyber debut with Phil Moore Browne, Feb. 13, Thomas' pal, the toast of Club Nostradamus, Monica McIntyre, culls from her Blusolaz for a cello/vocal jam at Bar Noir's "Monday Night Club," Feb. 16.…Atsa nize: Michael Moss, ex-chef de cuisine at the Union League, opens Cucina Pazzo, Valentine's weekend at 1000 Wolf.… Valentine's week question: How did Philly mag's Richard Rys get the reclusive Ivanka Trump for its February ish? Could it be his lady-killing ways?… Not only did Pure (the former 2/4) get raves from Rolling Stone for Dave P. 's "Making Time," it got mostest-hostess Natasha for "Karoake Blvd," a weekly-Wednesday madcap adventure of music, mayhem and pink drinks.… Pink? Fab clothier Leehe Fai at 18th is having a Drink 'n' Shop Pink Party, Feb. 12.… Shopping? eBay Philly includes coach John Chaney's sneakers (for charity), Bachelor-ette Helene Eksterowicz's ring (for profit) and an authentic Rocky statue (probably because bronzer Thomas Schomberg wants to get rid of them). Maybe Damon Feldman should buy it, as he's holding auditions Feb. 17 at Spectators in Springfield for a play based on Rocky.… Solomonic Sound celebrate their Worship label's new EP (Jeff Bennett's Passages), their Loveslap! pal Jay-J's new mix CD, Loveslapped, Vol. 3, and a second anniversary of its "Shakedown" Feb. 14 at Silk City.… WHOWHATWHERE: Suicide Girls hit their Psydde Delicious after-party at N.3rd, meeting up with Philly's Peek-A-Boo Revue. The evening also served as a release party for the new TittySlap: The DVD (did Psydde, Melissa Bang-Bang or Needles Jones slip the Girls a copy?). Andre Braugher tried to go unnoticed at Sofitel (and did a good job). Ol' Dirty Bastard gigged at Crowbar in State College (what!) with Townhall.… While Marmont hosts a "Gentlemen's Dinner" Feb. 18 with Jack Daniel's, steak, cigars, massages and cheerleaders, I, DJ A.D., will make diners woozy with sonic elixir that same night for the Taste of the Book and the Cook bash at Loews Hotel.… Though Trauma Queens just got back from Japan where they "were treated like we were Bon Jovi" (so says Queen Jason Killinger), there's some sorrow for the group. Their Feb. 13 gig at Silk City will be their last with guitarist Nick Tashjian, who's heading to San Fran to produce records. "It's heartbreaking," says Killinger. "He's an important part of the band." Aw.