icepack

by A.D. Amorosi

To paraphrase The Kinks, I'm not the world's most sensitive guy. Laughing at despair is my hobby — that and collecting Russian dolls, date stamping old coke bags and reading Joyce backward (James and Brothers). But I spent last week ticked off at the print media, made fatly content by dissing Ronald Reagan, and the television media, made puffingly proud in its praise of him. Both went too far in their coverage of his career, funeral, follies, successes. Sometimes, you gotta let a thing die. And be silent. Then again, I was annoyed there wasn't more coverage for the passing of equally giant icons in fashion (Philly's Benny Krass, Egon von Furstenberg) and music (Robert Quine, Steve Lacy). We've also heard little on the death of Don Cannon's radio show (he's retiring from WOGL) and local watering holes Circa and M Lounge. (The latter's owner, Eric van Merkensteijn, still wants to discuss what he calls his ouster from Old City.) Worst of all, Ray Charles' death was reported on in the ET-Access Hollywood 'stakes after Britney Spears' knee problems. What fucking world do I live in where that chubby lip-synching dope gets more airtime than "The Genius"? … Whether you're on the right or left, I implore y'all to get gussied up for The Friends of Rittenhouse Square's 2004 Ball on The Square, June 17 at 7 p.m. If you can't afford to go, just stop and stare. It's a sight to behold no matter what side of the political fence you're on. … Knife & Fork Band join the ranks of those who love Sout' Philly (like last week's B-Boy BBQ and PrideFest) when they kick off the summer music series for Friends of Bardascino Park (the bocce-ball court at 10th and Carpenter sts.), June 23 at 7:30 p.m. … WHOWHATWHERE: Cuba Gooding Jr. again made himself a presence at Tragos, where he spent the night breakdancing and popping on the dancefloor (Donovan McNabb, Eddie George and Jerome Bettis were in the VIP lounge, possibly laughing at Gooding's antics), then at SHOCK! Therapy, where he hung for hours. Victoria Principal got an honorary degree at Drexel's Bennett S. LeBow College of Business. Apparently she videotaped the event for an infomercial she's producing. (Either that or she couldn't believe it herself and wanted proof!) The Illvibe crew brought hip-hop legends GrandWizzard Theodore and Steinski to Fluid. The in-person list announced for TLA's Gay Film Fest starting July 15: director Ian Iqbal Rashid, Kid in the Hall Scott Thompson, comi-crit Frank DeCaro, actor/directors Alan Cumming and Guinevere Turner, and producer/director Lee Daniels, who breaks from lensing Gooding's Shadowboxer long enough to get an award. On the TV tip, 16th and South's Ron's Ribs made the Food Network's Roker on the Road. Vivian Green was on Last Call With Carson Daly, touting her tune "Love for Sale" on the big-deal movie soundtrack to De-Lovely. While TLC snagged Swanky Bubbles' Ralph DelPrete and Vince Frankowski for Trading Spaces, the gals of Cashman & Associates made it onto Perfect Proposal for the same network. Associate namesake Nicole Cashman, along with John Brazer, director of Fun for the Phillies, gets co-honored with the Spirit of Life Award at the City of Hope Orchestra and Balconies event, June 24 at Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. … "NO LOVE FOR Y100" stated an e-mail from program director Jim McGuinn about the surprise cancellation of Courtney Love from its June 18 FEZtival bill. This right after Mrs. Cobain canceled her June 25 EFC appearance. No laughing. … Waiting for Cable's Alex Strang hosts the Puppet Karaoke East Coast Finals at Bar Noir's Monday Night Club, June 21. While Strang's evil sock hands and things on strings mangle pop music (encouraging you to do so as well), Needles Jones performs his singing waitress act. … Known for his wonky partnership with Darren Finizio for Hoppy the Frog, singer Mark Boucot finally releases his Morrissey-meets-Verve-like debut. The eponymous joint not only shares its party (June 17, Tin Angel) with some of Boucot's CD guests (Kenn Kweder, Allen James), but proceeds benefit Project Hope, a nonprofit providing social services to homeless people in Camden. Also on the charitable tip (for MANNA) Drexel U. prof Emil de John and a host of his fashion students' top designs run the catwalk at the Armory, June 19. Info: 908-872-5031. … After spinning last weekend's naughty post-2 a.m. Closet Fever lingerie show on Fairmount with Vikter Duplaix, DJ Rahsaan takes on the role of MC for Tragos' Friday Soul Travelers' bash, and also brings his Puma-sponsored punk-jazz Tricky Disco to Silk City on June 23 with Todd Damon and Phil Moore Browne. … Underground Artist Suite hosts the release party for Killah Cuts Presents Baby Blak, Vol. I Mixtape with Blak's Webster Street Collegiate crew and DJs M80 and King B, June 21 at Filo's. … He shares a b-day with Psydde Delicious and perf-art personage Duncan Busser, but DJ Robert Drake hosts his own Five-Day B-day blitz. "Just like Reagan's five-day funeral," says Drake, who, starting June 18 at Shampoo, will then jump to The Latest Dish (ask for his signature drink, The Tasty Drake), Tattooed Mom, The Trocadero and Fluid.