Local, local, local in primetime TV reality

Tune in tonight at 8 p.m. to see if Philly native Virgil Gadson continues in his quest to beat out 15 fellow contestants and move his way into viewers' hearts as America's Favorite Dancer on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance."

Originally from Mount Airy with family in South Philly and West Oak Lane, Gadson is a graduate of the University of the Arts and performed at Freedom Theatre (1346 N. Broad St.), in North Philly.

During a recent phone interview, Gadson said his experience on the show has had its ups and downs.

"They make you wake up really early and you have to learn the combinations in 30 minutes - that's a lot of pressure," he told me.

"I grew up dancing on the street," he said, adding a nod to his mentor and former dance teacher, Clyde Evans, Jr., owner of Chosen Dance Company, and an adjunct professor of hip-hop dance and performing arts at Drexel University.

"I hope to have my own theater company or dance show after all this is over," said Gadson.

CityPaper food critic and South Philly native Adam Erace and his brother Andrew are doing press tonight to promote the premiere of "Great American Food Finds," on the Food Network.

The Erace brothers are the owners of Green Aisle Grocery stores, which have two locations in Philly and will be opening a third in Fishtown at month's end.

Erace is known for his sixth sense for unexpected food discoveries in Philly, and the new show follows him and his brother as they travel the country in search of the delicious and delectable, some of which will stock the shelves of Green Aisle groceries.

The show airs tonight at 9:30.

Recording artist Matthew Shuler, from season 5 of "The Voice," was at Fox Chase Cancer Center (333 Cottman Ave.) on Friday for a special performance and to sign autographs for patients and staff as part of the center's music-therapy program.

"Being able to use the gifts I've been given to uplift and motivate those who face serious trials every day, [who are] are true warriors in my eyes," said Shuler. "I want them to know they are loved and to us they are invincible."

Famed hockey referee and analyst Kerry Fraser and former enforcer for the Flyers Riley Cote will be attending the first Keystone Firefighter Conference, in Oaks, Aug. 7-9.

Fraser and Cote will be giving fans the opportunity to meet an eye-popping lineup of NHL players, including Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier, Theoren Fleury, Darius Kasparaitis and more.

Fans also will get the chance to enjoy dinner and cocktails at the White Manor Country Club (832 Providence Road, Malvern) and play 18 holes of golf.

Ticket sales go to All Hands Working, a charity that fights to reduce the rate of fatalities among firefighters.

The search is on for seven lucky strangers to become the newest stars of MTV's "Real World."

Auditions began Saturday morning at Paddy Whacks (150 South St.), with producers in search of local characters who are not afraid to speak their mind and who come from diverse backgrounds.

And, yesterday, auditions began at Temple's Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St.)for the final season of Fox's "American Idol."

A musical written by a local Villanova grad and one of my colleagues will have its Philadelphia premiere early next year.

"A Wonderful Noise," co-written by Philly playwright Michael Hollinger and Philly.com's own Vance Lehmkuhl, will show at Villanova University in this upcoming season.

An earlier version with a different title (and substantially different songs and story) was workshopped at the Arden Theatre (40 N. 2nd St.) in 2002.

Ladies man Pat "the Bat" Burrell was at the Irish Pub (2007 Walnut St.) along with former Phillies teammate Jason "J-Mike" Michaels.

Sources say he hung out there all afternoon reminiscing, as I'm told the Irish Pub was one of his favorite hangouts when he played for the Phils.

On Thursday night Burrell was inducted into the Toyota Phillies Wall of Fame during their annual alumni weekend.

* Rock guitarist Peter Frampton was at El Vez (121 S. 13th St.) Friday night enjoying Mexican food with band members.

Sources say he had mahi mahi tacos, guacamole and the mushroom fundido, and tipped generously. Later that night he opened for Cheap Trick at the Tropicana (2831 Boardwalk), in Atlantic City.