newsmakers

newsmakers

‘American Bandstand’ studios reopen today

PHILADELPHIA

For seven years, it was a hot spot of teenage American pop culture.

From 1957 until 1964, Dick Clark hosted “American Bandstand” at the West Philadelphia studios of WFIL-TV, where thousands of teens dreamed of appearing on the hit show.

But few actually got the chance to dance inside the nondescript building in the shadow of the Market-Frankford El at 46th and Market streets.

If you were one of those teens who yearned for your “Bandstand” moment, here’s your chance.

Today between noon and 3 p.m., the current owners will open the former Studio B for three hours of tours, reminiscing, and perhaps, one last Twist on the dance floor.

“We’ll put on some music and let people have their moment,” said Jeff Wicklund of the Enterprise Center, a nonprofit business incubator that purchased the building in 1995. “We’re just trying to be good stewards of the ‘Bandstand’ legacy.”

Fans of the show have flocked to the building, dropping off flowers and cards since Clark’s death Wednesday, Wicklund said.

When the Enterprise Center bought the structure, it had been abandoned for almost 20 years. It’s now on the National Register of Historic Places. Wicklund said the Center has established an endowment to maintain the “Bandstand” studios, which now play host to private parties, high school proms, weddings and fashion shows.

‘Idol’ Taylor Hicks to launch Vegas show

LAS VEGAS

“American Idol” Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks is getting his own short-term show on the Las Vegas Strip.

Casino officials announced the Alabama native will headline an eight-week show at Bally’s Las Vegas beginning June 26.

The singer’s show in Las Vegas is a return to where his winning run began in 2005. Hicks had been in New Orleans the night before Hurricane Katrina struck and was given a free airplane voucher when his flight was canceled.

He used the voucher to fly to Las Vegas, where he auditioned for “American Idol” and ultimately won over viewers with his renditions of southern soul, R&B, country and blues songs.

Vindicator wire services