Boldface April 14: A.D. Amorosi rounds up the local gossip

Expect Thursday’s press conference with Mayor Nutter, Live Nation executives, and developer Michael Samschick and his LA-based partners to be about the opening of the cornerstone of the Canal Street North project: The 3,000-seat Fillmore Theater. In the works since 2012, the Filmore, located at the former Ajax Metal Company property off Frankford and N. Delaware Ave., should open in the fall. Following his Fillmore announcement, expect Samschick to mention possible neighbors, including a distillery (could this be the rumored new home of Philadelphia Distilling?), a bowling lounge and a country-themed restaurant owned by Toby Keith.

The Fetfatzes family already owns Bella Vista Beer Distributor, Hawthornes Cafe, The Cambridge and the space that housed the Antiquarian’s Delight flea market. Rumor has it the family just purchased 941 S. 8th St., the long-vacant spot that was once Sam Grasso’s, a grocery store and deli. Word has the Fetfatzes drawing up blueprints for a restaurant maintaining the building’s facade.

Singer Christina Perri (“Jar of Hearts”) will open on Ed Sheeran’s massive fall tour. “Bring on the cheesesteaks and Tastykakes,” she says, looking to pack in the crowds for her hometown gigs in Philly in September. Perri will also pair with Colbie Caillat for a show at the Mann on July 11.

Former Philly resident John Legend and his Get Lifted production company will produce “Sing It On,” a competitive a cappella series for the Pop network. Legend was in the a cappella group Counterparts while a student at Penn.

New Jersey’s Jon Bon Jovi is also getting into reality TV with ”If I Wasn’t a Rock Star,” a show taking rock stars back to their hometowns and pretending they never became celebrities. No network is attached.

Celebrity sightings

• On Saturday, WDAS-FM hosted a Women of Excellence event at West Philly’s First District Plaza in tribute to “Sheroes,” including Universal Companies’ Faatimah Gamble, “Weekend Today” news anchor Sheinelle Jones and Mary J. Blige. WDAS says next year they’ll rename the prize the Mary J. Blige Award.

• The BLINGO to Cure Duchenne charity event Saturday at The Rittenhouse Hotel featured local celeb bingo callers John Bolaris, Stephanie Stahl and Ed Rendell.