There’s a fantastic backstory to the annual Philly Loves Bowie Week, and its wealth of concerts, fashion shows, dance parties, gallery exhibits and culinary tastings — all in dedication to the late, great David Bowie and his love of this city.
And it all starts with Patti Brett.
“I was 17 when I first started following David,” Brett told Metro when she began organizing and curating her show of love and appreciation for David Bowie.
Brett is the owner of Doobies Bar at 22nd and Lombard streets, and her obsession with Bowie has been a lifelong experience. After falling in love with Ziggy-era Bowie when he played Philly’s Tower Theatre in 1973, (then the Diamond Dogs Bowie when he hit that venue in 1974), Brett and her glam-dressed pals hung nightly outside N. 12 Street’s Signa Sound Studios while he recorded ‘Young Americans’.
“I couldn’t get into the clubs he would go to when in Philly, so I would go to his hotel. The first time, he was staying at the Bellevue-Stratford,” recalls Brett.
Brett says that Bowie was friendly during that first meeting, and even friendlier the next time, in 1974 when he again rented rooms at the Bellevue for his Tower Theater shows that July.
“David sat with us on the steps of the hotel and told a group of us how much he loved Philly and that during a Diamond Dogs tour break in August that he was going to be recording his next album at Sigma Sound several blocks from the hotel. He said to come back and look for him, so we did.”
When Bowie finished Young American’s recording sessions in Philly, he invited Brett and nine additional glittery friends into that studio for an advanced listening session. From that moment on, Brett & Co. become known as “the Sigma Kids,” and upon Bowie’s sudden death in January 2016 — two days after his birthday and the release of his final album, ‘Blackstar’ — Brett moved quickly into action to celebrate the Starman – an equal object of obsession for the city of Philadelphia.
Along with WXPN producer and DJ Robert Drake, Brett turned this city on its ear – then and now – for Philly Loves Bowie Week. The annual celebration attracts the city’s wealth of Bowie-loving musicians, artists, filmmakers, chefs, bakers, theater makers, craft brew masters, exhibition gallery curators, film presenters, and more, in order to host and perform Bowie-themed celebrations for the benefit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Cancer Center at CHOP.
With that, here are some of the highlights of Philly Loves Bowie Week 2025. (And take note, Doobies Bar hosts everything from Bowie-themed craft brew tastings and David-related trivia nights from Jan 3 to 11.)
Ardmore Music Hall (Jan. 3)
The special guests for Jan. 3’s Free at Noon Bowie-focused showcase at Ardmore Music Hall (free tickets available online), is none other than Philly’s best loved, Bowie loving cover band Candy Volcano, doing an early, dressed-down gig at in anticipation of its full-on, glam-clothed extravaganza later that evening.
Johnny Brenda’s (Jan. 3)
DJs Baby Berlin and Jem from the dark waving Depeche Mode-named A Black Celebration play host and musical chairs behind its 7th Annual Bowie Masquerade Ball and dance party. If you really love every era of Bowie, prove it by dressing the part of the Poirot (the ‘Scary Monsters’ and ‘Super Creeps’ album), the ‘Alladin Same’ with the red and blue lightning bolt across the face, or maybe even Goblin King Jareth from ‘Labrinth’.
Broad Hall, Divine Lorraine Hotel (Jan. 4)
For his Sex Dwarf monthly first Saturday dance party along Broad Street, Philly Loves Bowie Week co-curator DJ Robert Drake lets his freak flag fly in the name of Bowie (the Bowie Blitz!), and plays all David-and-David-related 80s new wave tracks.
City Winery (Jan. 4)
Starman – The Bowie Tribute does a pretty great job of focusing on David’s henna-haired mid-1970s period and this year takes over the Fashion District’s City Winery for the staged privilege.
World Café Live (Jan. 8)
For David Bowie’s birthday, the West Philly venue will play host to this city’s most casual vocal ensemble, the Fishtown Choir, for an impromptu night of tribute music — you can sing too, just show up early.
Trestle Inn (Jan. 10)
If you think David Bowie’s music wasn’t meant for Go Go dancing, think again. The free-to-enter Sound & Vision Happy Hour Dance Party starts early, welcomes DJs SoundinBetween and The Slinky Vagabond spinning Bowie rarities on vinyl, with Go Go by Trestle Specials Jackie Blue and Rico Fellini and a Young American Sour cocktail made with Old Overholt Rye.
Theatre of Living Arts (Jan. 11)
South Street welcomes Philly Loves Bowie Week’s annual grand finale, A Night of Stardust. While the full evening’s slew of live performers is still TBD, Stardust’s headliner, Nitra, promises to celebrate Bowie’s every era in full regalia.
Philly Loves Bowie Week will take place Jan. 3 to 11, at various venues across the city. For a complete lineup or events, visit phillylovesbowie.wordpress.com
