The 2005 grad of the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) is a little nervous but mostly excited: "I see every new challenge as a stepping stone to make me a better dancer and artist." Sabasino says mom Maria and dad Peter enrolled him in Bobby Gee's Motion and Dance (7265 Revere) when he was 4. He studied there while at CAPA. Sabasino's primary style is tap, though he's trained in modern, jazz, hip-hop and other styles.

Bon Jovi skipping out?

Bon Jovi has announced it will play the Wachovia Center March 23 and 24, which makes us wonder if the band intends to play the free Philadelphia show that Jon Bon Jovi promised if the Philadelphia Soul won the Arena Football League title. They did last year. WNJC 1360, which broadcast the Soul's first season, still gets calls asking if and when there is a free concert, says station owner John Forsythe.

A Bon Jovi spokesperson replied last night: "The league is now in bankruptcy proceedings and all plans are on hold until the future of the league is resolved."

Charitably minded

* Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society

hosts its annual Mutt Strut Saturday morning at FDR Park in South Philadelphia. A group of Flyers Wives, some Eagles and Mummers are expected at the fundraiser - to help PAWS save homeless and abandoned animals. For info, phillypaws.org.

_ Comcast-Spectacor Vice Chairman Fred Shabel and his wife, Irene, a former human-resources executive, will be honored at the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center's 27th annual Benefit for Children. It's on April 23 at the East Falls tennis center. For tickets or info, call 215-487-3477 or visit ashetennis. org. Shabel was recently inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments as head coach of UConn's basketball team from 1963 to 1967. Also inducted, in the high-school category, was former Villanova coach Rollie Massimino for coaching at Lexington High in Massachussetts.

* The Adult Play Date to benefit the Terri

Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Sherman Mills in East Falls. Harriet Dichter, deputy secretary for the Office of Child Development and Early Learning in Pennsylvania, and Madeleine Weiser, a pediatrician, will be honored at the event, which features cocktails, dinner, dessert, dancing and a

silent art auction. To purchase tickets visit TLLCCF.org or call 610-992-1140.

A Misfits tribute on Halloween

Calling all "Astro Zombies," what better night than Halloween for a tribute to horror punk pioneers The Misfits? Drummer Chris Wilson, of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, arranged the show to benefit West Philly's People's Emergency Center. He'll perform Misfits tunes as TV Casualty with Ted Leo singing, Atom Goren of Atom & His Package and Brian Sokel of Franklin and of AM/FM on guitar, and Andy Nelson of Paint it Black and Affirmitive Action Jackson playing bass. The group plays at 10:30 and midnight Saturday at Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front) so be sure to ask "Mommy, Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight?" Tix are $8 and to go "Where Eagles Dare" you must be 21+ for this "Ghouls Night Out," so we're afraid that you "Teenagers from Mars," will not be admitted. We should warn you, they want your "Skulls."

More punk on Halloween

Live Not on Evil has signed with Creep Records, which will issue a single "Coming Back to Life," on Halloween, when the band, whose name is a palindrome, opens for the Dead Milkmen at the Trocadero. Live Not On Evil is fronted by Rob Windfelder, co-owner of Crash Bang Boom, formerly Zipperhead, on South Street. They'll have another release on Creep, ex- home to Plow United and the Boils, early next year.

Also in the Halloween spirit . . .

Vinnie the Crumb, formerly of 93.3 WMMR, on Thursday hosts the World's Sexiest Circus event at Club Risque Northeast (5921 Tacony). The Old City Side Show will perform sword- swallowing and glass-walking as the Risque ladies strut in Halloween costumes.

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates.