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“I’m addicted to the smiles, and the crowd dancing, and seeing people having a good time,” disc jockey Johnny Looch said.
But the people of South Philly seem addicted to him, naming Looch the best DJ in the area.
Looch has been DJing for almost 27 years, but he believes the summer of 2011 made his name official.
Every Thursday, the native of the 900 block of South 10th Street could be found at Center City’s Table 31, hosting ladies’ night. On Saturdays, Looch would cross the bridge to work at Mia Restaurant of Caesars Hotel Casino in Atlantic City.
“There would be lines of people there, and I would go back home and tell my wife and kids that there was a line. That is the type of thing I was hoping for when I would practice in my mother’s basement,” Looch, who resides on the 700 block of South 10th Street with wife, Nikki, and his four children, said.
Looch continues those gigs, and now spins at LaScala’s, Sixth and Chestnut streets, and Quattro Bar, 2535 S. 13th St., in addition to weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries. He, however, does not have a favorite venue.
“Every night at any place is a great night for me,” Looch said. “It wouldn’t be fair to say that weddings are better than nights at the club. It’s a different group of people every night. I don’t have a set playlist, I play based on the people and their response.”
DJ Ed Tully found the beat in second, and Rocco Cima and Mike Corny shared the booth for third.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners
Cuisine
Fuel: Soup; Hummus; Lunch menu (sit down); and healthiest menu
Geno’s Steaks: Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
John’s Roast Pork: Pork sandwich
SliCE: Specialty pizza
Penrose Diner: Diner
Ippolito’s Seafood: Seafood selection
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: BYOB; Italian Restaurant; Dessert menu; Chef
Cantina Los Caballitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Birra: New restaurant
Night on the Town
South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft beer selection
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Celebrate a special occasion
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Friday happy hour; Bar menu; French fries
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli; Cookies
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Caffe Chicco: Iced coffee
People
Barbara Capozzi: Civic leader
Dr. Steven Moskowitz and Dr. William Mestichelli: Dentist
D. Olivieri Jewelers: Jeweler
Rev. Joseph Kelley: Priest/minister
Dr. Gail Avicolli: Principal
Sports
Carl Arrigale: High school coach
Neumann-Goretti Saints: High school team
St. Monica: CYO program
Mike Schmidt: All-time pro athlete
Antonio "Scoop" Jardine: Local current college athlete
And the Rest …
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
East Passyunk Avenue: Shopping center/district
Headhunters Hair Design: Salon
Roast beef sandwich: Category not on this list
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