Icon/genius/possible alien David Bowie has done the unthinkable and left us Earthlings behind, passing away at the age of 69 after releasing his most vital album in years (the endlessly rewarding and frankly fatalistic Blackstar). Seattle is a city of Bowiephiles, as this list of hastily thrown together, totally earnest, and probably great tributes/memorials to the Thin White Duke around town proves. Go pay homage. See you in space, Major Tom.
(Note: This post has been updated with new events, denoted with asterisks*.)
JANUARY 12
1. Labyrinth
Celebrate Bowie’s life at Central Cinema with a screening of his trippy 1986 adventure/fantasy film Labyrinth.
2. ChickRock 2016
Hazlewood’s ChickRock series honors the newly deceased Starman himself with DJs and live music paying homage.
3. Remembering Bowie
Selections from The Glass Spider will be shown at the goth private membership club the Mercury, along with many, many other works of video art from the Great White Duke. DJ’s Black Maru and Major Tom will take the decks to spin even more Bowie goodness.
JANUARY 13
4. Bowie Rhap
In a strange confluence of interests and passions, tonight features a tango workshop dedicated to David Bowie, with Bowie fave shepherd’s pie being served up and costumes very much encouraged!
JANUARY 15
*5. Victrola Coffee & Art Bowie Memorial
Victrola holds a memorial to David Bowie featuring the likes of Satori and Jack, School of Rock, and more. Free and all-ages!
*6. Campout Cinema: Labyrinth
This special (free!) edition of the EMP’s Campout Cinema features Bowie’s trippy 1986 adventure/fantasy film Labyrinth.
JANUARY 16
7. David Bowie Tribute/Sing Along
Jim Basnight hosts a tribute and sing along night at the Highline, inviting guests to perform or sing along to some of the man who fell to Earth’s biggest hits.
JANUARY 17
8. Moonage Daydream: David Bowie Night
Celebrate the music, fashion, and life of “the man who fell to earth” at this event at the Backdoor at Roxy’s. Of course they’ll be playing Bowie songs all night.
LATER IN JANUARY
9. School of Rock Performs David Bowie
The Sultan gets his due, courtesy of School of Rock.
10. Zeptology, Some Cats from Japan, and Odds & Sods
It’s a night of Zeppelin, the Who, and (dearly departed) Davie Bowie tribute acts at the Skylark.
*11. Bowie: A Sing-a-Long Eulogy
A group singalong featuring local musicians.
FEBRUARY
12. The Man Who Fell to Earth
Bowie was an alien, bringing to light the oddities in the rituals we accept as completely normal, while up-ending what we thought was cool. NWFF screens this “visionary classic of the sci-fi genre,” starring Bowie as an alien in search of water, in celebration of Bowie’s life. Our own Sean Nelson (who wrote a great piece on Bowie’s death and image) will introduce the film.
13. A Celebration of the Life and Times of David Bowie
In honor of our dearly departed Major Tom, BowieVision and Purple Mane team up for a night of heartfelt hits, Ziggy-style.
In March, Neumos will also be having a Bowie Night featuring awesome local bands and lightning bolt face paint.
