Here’s what’s on tap for Philly Bowie Week 2023!

Philly Loves Bowie, and so does XPN.

With live concerts, theme parties, art exhibits, and even an ice cream flavor celebrating his David Bowie’s music and raising funds for great causes, Philly Loves Bowie Week is in full effect and WXPN has our lightning bolt makeup on in the city where he recorded Young Americans and a live album.

Tune in all week long for Bowie features and a Friday mixtape on the XPN Morning Show, covers, rare live recordings, covers and more for lunch with Mike Vasilikos, and Dan Reed’s Highs in the ‘70s, highlighting a different Bowie album each day at 6 p.m. Off the airwaves and out on the town, Philly Loves Bowie Week presents a packed itinerary of Bowie-related events all around the city, from dance parties to pop-up art exhibits. You can peruse a full schedule of events and programs below; WXPN programming appears in magenta, and Philly Loves Bowie Week events appear in amber.

 It’s been 7 years since we lost David Bowie – let’s dance and celebrate his life and music, this week – on XPN and all over Philly. Asterisks indicate programming you can listen to on air!

Friday, January 6th

Noon – Bowie tribute band Candy Volcano kicks off Philly Bowie Week at WXPN’s Free at Noon concert! – World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut, FREE with RSVP  [more]

5:30 p.m. – Celebrate at the Bowie Bash and Pop-Up Gallery & Art Sale at National Liberty Museum featuring live music from Johnny Showcase and Rumi Kitchen. – 321 Chestnut St, ticketing info TBA [more]

6 – 8 p.m. – Your second option of catching a Bowie tribute today is at Brooklyn Bowl with haZy cosmic jive. Bowie-themed drink specials will be served all night. – Brooklyn Bowl Philly, 1009 Canal St, $20 DOS [more]

9 p.m. – 2 a.m. – Johnny Brenda’s is also getting in on the Bowie action with a themed masquerade party and DJ sets. A DIY glitter bar and Pop-Up Polaroid photo booth will flatter your best Bowie costume. – Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave, $15 [more]

And for dessert… Wander over the short distance from Brooklyn Bowl to Girard Ave for some Bowie ice cream. Weckerly’s is serving their BLUE BLUE ELECTRIC BLUE ice cream sandwich again exclusively at their Fishtown location. – Weckerly’s Ice Cream, 9 West Girard Ave, open 3-9 p.m.

 

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Saturday, January 7

8 p.m. – Candy Volcano is most likely having their busiest schedule this week, and is performing in the evening this time at Ardmore Music Hall. – Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E Lancaster Ave, $22 [more]

9 p.m. – XPN’s own DJ Robert Drake is spinning Bowie and related tunes at the annual Let’s Dance! A Bowie Blitz Dance Party at Broad Hall located under the Divine Lorraine hotel. – Broad Hall / The Divine Lorraine, 699 N Broad St, $5 [more]

Sunday, January 8

11 a.m – 3 p.m. – Arguably stretching the thematic boundaries of Bowie week is Chatayee Thai restaurant with their Starman brunch. Cocktail sales benefit the Cancer Center at CHOP, so drink up. – Chatayee Thai Philadelphia, 1227 Walnut St [more]

5 p.m. – Here’s an eccentric one Bowie himself might enjoy: BOWIECHURCH, Eric13’s one-man show about how the icon’s music shaped his life. DJ Vinyl Chickie spins during the pre-show happy hour and after party. – Gloria Dei Old Swedes Church, 927 Water St., $20 [more]

Monday, January 9

12 noon – Listen to “Bowie Undercover” on XPN, a full hour of covers from Bowie’s catalog.

6 p.m. – Dan Reed features Bowie’s Aladdin Sane for its 40th anniversary on “Highs in the 70s.”

7 p.m. – Tonight on “Kids’ Corner” listen to a broadcast of Peter And The Wolf, the children’s story narrated by David Bowie and performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Tuesday, January 10

7 a.m. – On air with selections from Hunky Dory, Heroes, Let’s Dance, and Blackstar.

12 noon – “Lost in the Aughts” features Bowie tunes from the 2000s.

5 – 11 p.m. – Stop by Doobies Bar for a screening of their favorite Bowie movies and concert videos, plus themed beer on draft. – Doobies Bar, 2201 Lombard St

6 p.m. – “Highs in the 70s” features Bowie’s Low. 

Wednesday, January 11

9 a.m. – “90s at 9” mix includes Bowie’s best from the 1990s.

12 noon – Live Bowie recordings on “Live Lunch” featuring songs from Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars – Live, David Live (recorded in Philly!), Stage, Live Nassau Coliseum ’76, plus World Cafe and Live Aid rarities.

5 – 11 p.m. – Doobie’s has another one for ya, this time it’s Bowie Quizzo. – Doobies Bar, 2201 Lombard St

6 p.m. – “Highs in the 70s” features Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars.

Thursday, January 12

9 a.m. – “First Song First” on the Morning Show plays Bowie songs and covers back to back.

12 noon – Bowie Name-Dropped! Listen to songs that reference the icon.

6 p.m. – “Highs in the 70s” features Young Americans (recorded in Philly!)

6 – 11 p.m. – Another Bowie event at Doobies Bar, owned by Philly Loves Bowie Week organizer and year-round Bowie fan Sigma Kid Patti Brett. This evening, enjoy a special sandwich menu by award-winning local chef Melissa McGrath. – Doobies Bar, 2201 Lombard St

8 p.m. – Back to Johnny Brenda’s tonight for BOWIEOKE!, David Bowie karaoke led by DJ Sara Sherr. – Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave, FREE [more]

Friday, January 13

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Federal Donuts is bringing back their Bowie donut, the BowNut, which benefits the Cancer Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a popular charity this year. – All locations [more]

9 a.m. – The Friday Morning Mixtape presents an hour of community-curated radio focusing on XPN listeners’ favorite Bowie songs.

10 a.m. – Listen to Bowie’s covers of The Beatles’ songs on the Midday show’s weekly The Fab Four spotlight.

6 p.m. – 9 p.m. – DJs SoundinBetween and The Slinky Vagabond are spinning Bowie records at The Trestle Inn for their Sound & Vision event featuring cocktail specials and dance party. – The Trestle Inn, 339 North 11th St, 21+, FREE

Saturday, January 14

8 p.m. – The finale of Bowie week goes down at Union Transfer with the special tribute A Night of Stardust featuring Emily Drinker and Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie among other local artists. Get your tickets before they sell out. – Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St, $27 [more]