Philly Loves Bowie Week 2024 kicked off last Friday, and there’s still tons of ways to celebrate the Starman across the city.
David Bowie was born on January 8th, 1947 and passed away after a private battle with liver cancer on January 10th, 2016. Two days before his death, he released his swan song: the Blackstar LP. Honoring all of these occasions at the turn of the new year has become an annual ritual for Bowie’s devotees.
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Here in Philadelphia, our love of Bowie runs deep. His relationship with this city and with WMMR listeners is a long and storied one; David Live was recorded at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, and Young Americans was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios on 12th Street. He also happened to perform in Philly on WMMR’s 10th birthday, April 29th, 1978. That was at the Spectrum, and his run of shows there that year was released as a live album called Stage. It’s been said that this was the first city in the United States where fans actually camped outside of the venues to buy tickets to his concerts.
Philly Loves Bowie Week events will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The organizers aim to raise awareness and funds for cancer research in memory of Bowie as we honor his artistry and legend. If you can’t make it to an event, you can donate online here to support this important cause.
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More info on all the events below, and a look at previous Bowie events, can be found at PhillyLovesBowie.com. Use the hashtag #PhillyLovesBowie and tag @brentporche on X and Instagram to let us know where you pretty things go to celebrate.
Keep an eye on WMMR’s Event Calendar for more concerts, dance parties and Philly happenings.
Sing Your Life Karaoke presents BOWIEOKE!
Sing Your Life Karaoke presents BOWIEOKE
Wednesday 1/10/24 at 8pm
at Milkboy Philly – 11ths and Chestnuts Sts
Free to attend / 21+Come sing your heart out to your favorite Bowie tracks!
The Sigma Kids Film Screening
The Sigma Kids Film Screening
Wednesday 1/10/24 at 7pm
at PhilaMOCA – 531 N 12th St
Get tickets HEREThis documentary was directed by Anthony Crupi, who’s from Philadelphia. The film examines the relationship between David Bowie and “The Sigma Kids” while he was recording at Sigma Sound Studios circa 1974.
Bowie Quizzo
3rd July 1973: David Bowie performs his final concert as Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The concert later became known as the Retirement Gig. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)
All-Bowie Quizzo
Thursday 1/11/24 from 5-11pm
at Doobies Bar – 22nd and Lombard Sts
Free to attend / 21+Test your knowledge at this special themed quizzo, hosted by Sigma Kid Patti Brett (she’s the owner of Doobies Bar and one of the organizers of Philly Loves Bowie Week). Plus, special Bowie beers will be sold, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.
Sound and Vision Happy Hour
Sound and Vision Happy Hour
Friday 1/12/24 from 6-9pm
at the Trestle Inn – 339 North 11th St
Free to attend / 21+Enjoy drink specials as SoundinBetween and The Slinky Vagabond spin vinyl, with Bowie videos and live go-go by Trestle Specials Farrah Fox and Prudence Farrow.
Rocky Horror Picture Show with Bowie Tribute Show opener
Rocky Horror Picture Show with an opening tribute to David Bowie
Friday 1/12/24 at 9:30pm
at the Ritz Five – 214 Walnut St
Get tickets and info HERETransylvanian Nipple Productions presents the Rocky Horror Picture Show, with a special pre-show performances that pay tribute to David Bowie. TPN notes: “Bowie has a strong influence on Rocky Horror in general especially the glam/Ziggy Stardust era. Pierre LaRoche created the Ziggy Stardust makeup looks as well as did Tim Curry’s makeup for Rocky Horror Picture Show!”
A Night of Stardust
A Night of Stardust
Saturday 1/13/24 at 7pm
at Union Transfer – 1026 Spring Garden St
Get tickets and info HEREPhilly Loves Bowie Week culminates in an epic concert event from the vision of Gregory Shelton and the musical direction of Dan Kauffman and Lance Davis. The event has sold out six years in a row, so make sure you grab your tickets in advance!
