Concert promoter Larry Magid to run entertainment at proposed Provence casino

Concert promoter Larry Magid is partnering with Bart Blatstein to run entertainment and nightlife at Blatstein's proposed Provence casino on North Broad Street.

The Provence is one of the five applicants vying for Philadelphia's second casino license. Blatstein says the venue, to be located in the former home of the Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com, will have a "whole array of entertainment," including a concert hall, jazz club, night club, comedy club and private pool club.

Blatstein said today that Magid is being brought in as a consultant to manage nightlife and entertainment at the site.

"If we're going to have another casino, why not have something that we can all be proud of, that creates excitement for everyone in the area?" Magid said.

Magid said he would seek to bring an "eclectic" mix of artists to the site and would "go for the biggest names."

He said commitments announced in January by chefs Tom Colicchio and Andrew Carmellini to open restaurants at the Provence cemented his interest in the project.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is weighing the applications for the casino license now. One of the other proposed casinos would be located at 8th and Market streets; the other three would be built in South Philadelphia's stadium district.