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If you stand in the Southern arch of City Hall facing down Broad Street on a busy day, or any other keen vantage point, you will see thousands of people clamoring around going about their business. Some are Philadelphians and some are just passing through but they all have something to say, hopefully. Joseph-Gerard d’Ambrosio hails from here and has been party to the evolving hustle and bustle of the city ever since. He is a currently on staff at Ida Mae’s and sat down for a wee chat in his own inimitable style…

1. Where are you from in Philadelphia?

I’m from South Philly. Born and raised, well until 16. I still lived in South Philly but I hung out in Center City. You know, when you’re born and raised somewhere, you hang out there? Well, I didn’t hang out there.

2. Where have you worked in the city?

Alot of restaurants. My first big job was at the Black Banana, which was a nightclub here that was pretty popular. I worked there from 1981-82 until 1987. Then I moved to New York for a couple of years and worked a lot of places there and then came back to Philadelphia after two years and worked at South Street Souvlaki, which was a Greek place. I was the only guy there and I don’t know why. Then I started moving north and I worked at Ortlieb’s Jazz House and the old Silk City simultaneously. I worked at Silk City about 13 or 14 years. It was like a big family there and it continued to be a family until they sold it. Now I work at a bruncheria called Ida Mae’s in Fishtown where everybody from Northern Liberties that used to hang out at Silk City, same customers and some employees, hangs out now. Now I guess I’m in the hot place in Fishtown. It feels like I’m home again. I can be myself, I don’t have to edit what I say and just be me. But sometimes me is a lot to deal with! They say I’m funny but being in the restaurant business is like being on stage for me and that’s why I enjoy doing it. It’s the only job I’ve ever had and, I don’t know, I guess I’m gonna die serving somebody food!

3. You have a bit of a dancing past. Tell us about that.

Well, you know, not really a dancer. I went to Performing Arts High School and took dance and drama for a few years and then I was on a television show called “Dancin’ On Air” that became “Dance Party U.S.A.” I was a regular around 1979 or 1980 and became pretty, I guess, Philly-famous for it, which isn’t hard to do. My partner was this girl named Jody Letizia, who just happened to be the little girl in [the first] “Rocky” who said, “Hey Rocky! Screw you creepo!” So, we used to get a lot of fan mail and people liked how I looked in my Sergio Valente jeans but we went off the show because we used to go to clubs and people would say, “You’re those kids from “Dancin’ on Air”!” and we were afraid that we weren’t going to get in anymore. So we stopped doing the show and dancing became something we did in nightclubs but not professionally. So that’s dancing for me, and I still love disco.

3. Tell us a bit about Philadlephia nightlife culture now compared to your past experiences?

We used to get dressed up to go out and it was a whole event. We looked perfect when we went out and it was a whole regimen. Now people go out in jeans and a t-shirt. We wouldn’t be seen dead like that when I started going out and, I don’t know, it was a different scene. Now there’s no after-after-hours clubs. I used to go out to clubs like Purgatory and Libations, which I think is still open, but there were also a lot of speakeasies like the VFW clubs and, as long as you knew the knock, you could get in. Everybody knew the knock! These places were packed until five or six in the morning. Now everything closes at two and that’s it. I guess people are doing their partying earlier.

4. Your dream vacation.

I don’t have a dream vacation but I have a dream. When I hit the lottery, which will be someday soon, like the 350 million dollar one, I’m going to buy my own island. And I used to want to have plastic surgery, even though I don’t look my age, to suck it out and tighten it up and lift it up, you know. Well, instead of putting myself through that misery I decided if I win the lottery I’m going to buy an island and just have everybody who comes to my island tell me how skinny and beautiful I am. This way I can pass right by that whole operation thing.

5. If you knew someone was moving to Philadelphia, what would you tell them?

I would say move to New York! Nah, I would say it’s a small town but it’s a big city. There’s a lot to do but it’s kind of incestuous, everybody knows everybody and knows what you’re doing. Especially if you’re popular, you have no chance of being discreet.

6. Do you like to be discreet?

Not really. Well sometimes, but only on certain occasions.

- To see Joseph on staff at The Black Banana around 1985 check out the following link and you’ll see him at the 2:30 mark!

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