Your Guide to Philly Loves Bowie Week
The citywide celebration pays tribute to the Starman with art, concerts and more.
Starman, the Bowie tribute band / Photograph courtesy of Philly Loves Bowie Week
While he has always seemed otherworldly, David Bowie had deep connections to Philadelphia. His tenure here was brief, but it was a crucial period in the legendary musician’s eclectic career as he moved away from glam rock and into his “plastic soul” era inspired by the Sound of Philadelphia. In 1974 he recorded David Live at the Tower Theater (renaming his Diamond Dogs-fueled tour “Philly Dogs” along the way). He then followed it up by making Young Americans at Sigma Sound studios. It was during that period that the “Sigma Kids” were formed, the very superfans who began Philly Loves Bowie Week after the musician’s death in 2016.
Sigma Kid and Doobies owner Patti Brett told Philly Mag back in 2017:
In 1974, David Bowie was at the Tower Theater for a series of performances. He was staying at the Bellevue-Stratford at Broad and Walnut. He would sit on the steps and chat with everybody. One of the nights he was there, he told us he was going to be recording a new album at Sigma Sound [the album would come to be Young Americans], and that we should look for him. This was 1974 — there were no cell phones, no Internet, so we’d have to drive around and look for his car.
One night my friend called and said, “His car’s outside.” He was staying at the Barclay Hotel that time. So we sort of had a routine – we would wait for him, he would come out of the hotel, usually around 5 in the afternoon, and he’d take photos and chat with fans and get in his car and go to the studio. And then we would jump in our cars and run every red light to get to the studio before him, and we’d be waiting there when he got out again. It just sort of became a routine.
This went on for two weeks. At some point he went into his studio and said, “If you guys are out here when I come out, I have a surprise for you.”
When he came out he said, “We really appreciate everything that you’ve done in supporting the project. We want you to come up when we’re done laying tracks and listen to what we’ve done.”
And so we did.
Sigma Kids in front of Sigma Studios in 1974 during the recording of Young Americans
Brett and her fellow Sigma Kids have kept their love for Bowie alive over the years. (Her bar, temporarily closed, is covered in memorabilia.) And once again they’ve put together a week of events celebrating his groundbreaking music, art, and life. Philly Loves Bowie Week runs from January 3rd to 11th, encompassing both Bowie’s birthday (January 8, 1947), as well as the anniversary of his passing (January 10, 2016). A portion of the proceeds from the week’s events — as well as auction items from a special pop-up art exhibit — help benefit cancer research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The week includes everything from concerts to an all-out masquerade; here’s how to get involved.
Pop-Up Art Exhibit: Moondust Will Cover You
A new art gallery and project space in West Philly, Paulownia Projects, will host a pop-up Bowie-inspired gallery, displaying local artists’ work celebrating his legacy. All artwork is available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds donated to CHOP.
You can come early to view the art — starting at 1 p.m. — then the party gets underway at 5 p.m. with live musical performances. The event is pay-what-you-can (with a $15 suggested donation), and they describe the dress code as “glam rock, space-age chic.”
January 4th, 5-9 p.m. (gallery preview from 1-4:30 p.m.), Paulownia Projects, 801 South 48th Street.
Concerts and Live Performances
WXPN Free at Noon with Candy Volcano
This Philly glam-rock band will kick the week off with a free concert at Ardmore Music Hall (and broadcast on WXPN 88.5 FM or stream on xpn.org) on Friday at noon. The concert is free, but pre-registration is required online to get tickets. And if you can’t make it, don’t worry: Candy Volcano will be performing a full concert that night (see below).
January 3rd, noon, Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore.
Bowie Birthday Bash at Ardmore Music Hall
If you missed Candy Volcano on WXPN or just want more, they’re back on Friday night for a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bowie’s Diamond Dogs and Young Americans albums.
January 3rd, 8 p.m., Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore.
haZy cosmic jive at Brooklyn Bowl
This Philly-based Bowie tribute band is — as you probably gathered from their name — focused on the artist’s glam-rock Ziggy era. This year, they’ll also be playing favorites from Young Americans, which turns 50 this year.
January 4th, 8 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, 1009 Canal Street.
Starman: The Bowie Tribute
This tribute act involves multiple costume changes, as well as a deep setlist that includes popular hits and album cuts.
January 4th, 7:30 p.m., City Winery, 990 Filbert Street.
Let’s Dance: An Evening of Contemporary Dance
Philadelphia choreographers have come together to create an evening of contemporary dance set to music by David Bowie — hits and deep cuts, in chronological order — at the Icebox.
January 8th, 7 p.m., Icebox Project Space, Crane Arts, 1400 North American Street.
A Night of Stardust
Philly Loves Bowie Week’s grand finale takes place at TLA with an all-out tribute concert featuring live vocalists and bands — including Philly favorite Johnny Showcase — to celebrate the Starman. Celebratory dress is welcome, and the show is all-ages. This event has sold out every year, so get in while you can.
January 11th, 8 p.m., Theater of Living Arts, 334 South Street.
Parties
Bowie Masquerade at Johnny Brenda’s
For its seventh year, the Bowie Masquerade Ball️ returns with DJ Baby Berlin and DJ JEM spinning Bowie (obviously), plus Bowie-inspired drag and burlesque performances, a photo booth, themed drinks, a Stardust DIY glitter bar, and of course a Bowie costume contest.
January 3rd, 9 p.m., Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Avenue.
Let’s Dance! A Bowie Blitz Dance Party
For its 10th year running, DJ Robert Drake hosts a “glamtastic” Bowie-inspired dance party under the Divine Lorraine. What’s not to love? Bowie-themed fashions are encouraged.
January 4th, 8 p.m.-a a.m., Broad Hall, 699 North Broad Street.
The Sigma Kids Screening
The Trestle presents a free screening of the documentary about Bowie’s time in Philadelphia recording Young Americans and befriending the local fans who camped outside Sigma Sound Studios.
January 9th, 6 p.m., Trestle Inn, 11th and Callowhill streets.
Sound & Vision Happy Hour at the Trestle Inn
This annual Philly Loves Bowie Week vinyl and go-go dance party features DJs SoundinBetween and The Slinky Vagabond spinning Bowie on vinyl, go-go by Jackie Blue and Rico Fellini, and happy hour specials including the “Young Americans Sour.” ($1 from each of those cocktails goes to CHOP.)
January 10th, 6-9 p.m., Trestle Inn, 11th and Callowhill streets.
Dance to Bowie vinyl sets at the Trestle / Photograph by Ian Cross
Bowie Night at Underground Arts
Riot Nerd gets in on the action this year with DJ George Purkins spinning Bowie, a “Bowie look” contest, themed drinks and decor, and photo ops.
January 10th, 9 p.m., Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street.
Sing Along
Fishtown Choir
The impromptu (and Best of Philly winners) invite you to sing along to Bowie favorites on his birthday. Come ready to learn the parts and harmonies, then join in a “performance” that they’ll film and share with you after!
January 8th, 8 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street.
Bowieoke
Sara Sherr of Sing Your Life Karaoke returns to host an all-Bowie edition. The event is free to attend, but fills up fast, so get there early and pick your song!
January 9th, 8 p.m., Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Avenue.
For the Kids
Rock and Roll Playhouse at Brooklyn Bowl / Photograph by Laura Swartz
WXPN Kids Corner: Peter and the Wolf
Want yet another Bowie-Philly connection? In 1978, he narrated the story of Peter and the Wolf to accompany the Philadelphia Orchestra’s performance of the Prokofiev piece. (Eugene Ormandy conducted.) It was a recording created for kids — and he had a young son at the time, so it’s even more wholesome. You can listen to the whole thing on WXPN’s Kids Corner on January 6th — 88.5 FM or stream on xpn.org.
January 6th, 7 p.m., listen anywhere.
The Rock & Roll Playhouse presents Music of David Bowie for Kids
“Let all the children boogie!” The Rock and Roll Playhouse brings the music of David Bowie with a side of fun (think glow-sticks, freeze-dance games and a giant parachute) for the littlest fans. It’s a full-on tribute concert that parents will enjoy too.
January 11th, 11 a.m., Brooklyn Bowl, 1009 Canal Street.
