With North Broad Street well on its way to reformation (all we need is that Blatstein casino, right?) it’s time to truly-really-truly consider South Broad. The Blackglama fur place is graffitied up and the Frank Sinatra mural is covered up. Help has got to be on the way. The Broad Street Diner, the Boot & Saddle redux and Adam Wallacavage’s octopus-chandeliered brownstone can’t be the end of the remake/remodel, either. That’s why it’s exciting that the Dolphin — very possibly the oldest amateur strip joint in Philly; I’m thinking Ben Franklin dropped a couple of folded-up bills there — is looking to spruce up. But they need us. “We’re hoping to raise a few dollars to help with some much-needed cosmetic repairs,” says booking guy Bill Bruzek. “The Dolphin never charges a cover. For years people have been getting quality entertainment for free.” That’s why the Dolphin is holding GO-GO-Stock with dancers galore and handfuls of punk and metal bands across three days (June 22 to 24). A pass for the weekend costs $25. Philly Roller Girls, Eddie’s Tattoos and Air Records are on board. Acts include Flesh Engine, Thee Nosebleeds and 18 others. Give till it hurts, I tell you.
Does this strike you as ass-kissy? The just-opened Hop Sing Laundromat posted its $12 drink menu on its website and one item, “Bells of Brotherly Love,” sticks out for its pucker-power. The Chinaco Tequila Blanco-based beverage is (their description) for “an individual who has ruled Philadelphia with an iron pen/keyboard for over 14 years. Not much is known about this handsome gentleman except he is known to bring tears to grown men and women in the dining world. ”Could be Inky restaurant critic Craig LaBan, right? It’s flattering to have a cocktail named for you. I’m certain HSL would call my concoction “The Flaming Asshole.”
Fun with possible local filming schedules for summer: Could Colin Farrell and Will Smith both return to Philly to lens part of the whimsical Winter’s Tale, again subbing Philly for the script’s NYC setting? Is Martin Scorsese looking to use Philly (remember Age of Innocence at the Academy of Music?) to save $ on The Wolf of Wall Street after Leo DiCaprio wraps Django Unchained? Did director Sean Penn’s people call about local locations for the Bob De Niro/Kristen Wiig flick The Comedian? “So many rumors,” laughs Greater Philadelphia Film Office goddess Sharon Pinkenson. “We’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
After closing his Indian-pizza joint Tiffin Etc. (next to Tiffin on West Girard) weeks ago, Munish “Tashan” Narula has had a change of heart. He just reopened Etc. after locals griped they wanted their kati rolls. They’re addictive.
More dispatches from the copper keyboard at citypaper.net/criticalmass.
