icepack

by A.D. Amorosi

Remember the epitaph W.C. Fields' suggested for himself: "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"? After I spent last week in Manhattan — hassling with fascistic Timoney-like security, weaving through hordes of unbathed protesters — Fields' insult never sounded so desirable. Really, who'd bust up the U.S. Open other than people who hate white shorts near Labor Day? … Being a diva, I had a hard time hearing Prince insulted last week for wanting privacy while at Tragos for his three post-performance soirees. Especially when I — while DJing the Friday happy hour upstairs — saw who'd been begging for admittance: I know who you are and I wanted to steer clear of you. Calling Prince a diva is hurtful to me, Philly's own "part-Italian, sexually ambiguous, sharp-dressing imp" (comparison courtesy of WHYY's Amy Salit). "He was nice as pie," says Tragos co-owner Justin Zeigler. That said, Prince (his best VIP area outfit: black-velvet, skintight pants; flowing black shirt; Saturn-ring hoop on his ear) had visits from Jerome Benton, India.Arie and Jill Scott, who is enjoying her own VIP week. To celebrate her new Beautifully Human CD, Jill held a private lunch at Cuba Libre and an autograph session at Tower Broad Street. … WHOWHATWHERE: After their Trocadero gig, Raveonettes hit the First Unitarian Church's Polyphonic Spree melee. American Idol John Stevens did Old City's history trail: Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall, my old apartment. … Ad of the week seen during MTV's Video Music Awards: "Real World: Philadelphia — It's Worse Than You Think." No fucking kidding! … Ex-Bella owner Ali Waks is in the kitchen of Tria on 18th Street. … Stephen Starr made Daryl Ansel chief financial officer of Starr Restaurant Organization, just in time to open his Barclay Rittenhouse Hotel steakhouse this month. … Philly's Terry Hines & Associates is doing local publicity for Warner Bros. Pictures. Bug Jesse Cute for those posters of Colin Farrell as a blond-locked Alexander. … Several new spaces are opening within the next two weeks: The pubby Foggy Goggle of Long Island fame pops Sept. 9 at 22 S. Third. The former home of Manayunk's Grape Street Pub, 105 Grape St., goes the cigar-chomping, supper-club route as 105 Social in the hands North/Next's owners, Sept. 12. And Mad River Bar and Grille opens Sept. 16 at the old M Lounge (123 Chestnut), courtesy of Max Tucker (who's spent nearly the last four years at the Mad River outpost on Manhattan's Upper East Side) and pals. "It's exactly what Old City needs: a non-pretentious bar that knows how to show people a good time," he says of the bar's planned live acoustic music, DJs, plasma TVs and such. While the shot-'n'-brew Brownies 38th Street opens Sept. 2 (hey, they can't all be good places), Sean Adamz of Psy-Ops is readying Lazertown for late September at 3245 Amber. "It's not a music venue per se," says Adamz of the 4,200-square-foot space, "but an impromptu rock 'n' roll VIP space and arts lab." Lazertown will double as rehearsal/recording space and photographic studio for his Gamma Ray Productions company (with Gina Fantozzi) and whoever they're with (like new local two-piece noise act Chamomile) in terms of management and recording. … Speculation had run high as to the fate of Salt at 20th and Rittenhouse, since it went on vacation Aug. 16. The date of its "return" changed from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 on its answering machine. Rumors swirled about interested buyers, from Ellen Yin of Fork to the restaurant's own higher-ups. When staff checks were issued weeks ago, employees were warned (not by owner David Fields, but by other staff) to pick up belongings. Was Salt coming back? Under who? An anonymous source close to the situation surmised Salt had ceased as soon as checks had been issued. "Employees weren't told anything about any closing beyond vacation, even though the staff confronted [Fields] numerous times," says the source regarding long-lingering rumors of closing. "But the employees knew. Some more than others, though nothing was ever said specifically. Everyone joked that it was an extended vacation." Fields, though he couldn't give specifics, confirmed he is "closed [due] to a sale to another entity." He continues: "It hasn't been sold yet. But the deal is almost inked." Though he couldn't say to whom he was selling, he did state it wouldn't be to someone within his organization. "Beyond that, I'm forbidden from comments due to my agreement-of-sale contract." No matter who owns it, one thing is clear: "The neighborhood wants Salt to come back the way it left," says the source. "The love put into Salt — from its owners and employees — is unlike any other restaurant in the city." Stay tuned. … DJ Major Taylor starts his farewell Philly tour at Silk City with a couple of bashes: Sept. 4's "Hip Hop Hooray" and Sept. 7's "Cootie Shot" co-starring DJs Jon Gill, Low Budget and Phil Moore Browne's bashing gospel boogaloo noise. … Happy birthday to my faaathah, Saint Alfonso, and to Captain Jack Barrett of Low Bar fame.