Dan Gross: A steak in Indie film

The late Joey Vento appears as himself dispensing a cheesesteak in "Swoopers," a locally made film garnering festival honors these days. (APRIL SAUL / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

By Dan Gross

Posted: February 13, 2012

JOEY VENTO is gone but a new movie helps make sure he is not forgotten. The late Geno's Steaks owner appears in "Swooped," a comedy that screens at the Trocadero (1003 Arch) on March 18.

Vento, who died in August, plays himself, selling a cheesesteak to one of the main characters. A few scenes take place at Geno's. Directors Joe Gariffo and ShaunPaul Costello say proceeds from the screening will go to fund their next film, "The Independents," which is a hockey comedy to shoot in town this Spring.

"Swooped," which follows two friends chasing after the girls of their dreams and ending up hooking up with each other's crush, has won several film-festival awards around the country.

You can see a trailer at vimeo.com/18230789 or find tickets to the screening at ticketfly.com/purchase/event/97341

* Speaking of Geno's, rumors are swirling in South Philly that Vento's son, Geno Vento, who was named after the steak shop, is thinking about, if not actively working on, selling Geno's. He has not returned our calls for comment in recent weeks.

Who is Sarah Bart?

This Mount Airy native made it to the final round of the 2012 College "Jeopardy" Championship.

The Central High graduate is a senior majoring in history and minoring in political science at Goucher College and will be seen tonight and tomorrow (7 p.m., 6ABC) on the show on which she is guaranteed to win at least $25,000, but could win $100,000.

OUT AND ABOUT

Clippers guard Chris Paul stopped by Lucky Strike (1336 Chestnut) to bowl a few games the night before playing the Sixers. The same night, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy bowled a bit there too while 93.3 WMMR's Preston and Steve hosted a singles mixer.

Sixers forward Andres Nocioni stopped by D'Angelo's (256 S. 20th) with family for a late meal after Thursday's game.

'Soul Train' dance tries for record

Radio One's Dyana Williams, the Tribune's Bobbi Booker and city officials are hoping for a Guinness Book of World Records crowd at 4 p.m. today on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the longest "Soul Train" dance line in the world. The stunt is being held in memory of Don Cornelius, the "Soul Train" creator who recently took his life.

Comedians for a cause

Comedians Mike Rainey and Joe Mayo host a fundraiser Saturday for the funeral costs of their friend Dustin Walls, of Wilmington, who is in hospice care with cancer. The show at 9 p.m. Saturday at Connie's Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th) also features comics Tommy Pope, Dave Terruso, Eric Todd, and James Hesky. No charge but guests can donate whatever they wish.

Studio becomes space for parties

EBE Events and Entertainment partners Steve Meranus and Mike Gendler have turned the Warehouse Recording Studio, which as Sonic Studios recorded many top artists in the 1980s and 1990s, into The Warehouse at EBE (1030 N. Delaware). The 3,000-square-foot special-event space served as the rehearsal area for 1985's Live Aid. Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff formerly used the first floor as their production studio.

Warehouse was founded in 1983 by producers Obie O'Brien and Lance Quinn. EBE Events and Entertainment, which stages special events all over town, is glad to now have its own venue.

For info, visit thewarehouseatebe.com.

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or email grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit www.philly.com/DanGross.