As Philly Loves Bowie Week — that fabulous exercise in hyperlocal fandom of the dearly departed Ziggy Stardust — enters its final 48 hours, its events schedule really goes into (interstellar?) overdrive. Tonight, you could be heroes by really taking in as many of the following as possible:
Words On A Wing: A Bowie spoken word event
@ The Free Library of Philadelphia Main Branch, 1901 Vine Street
7-9pm / FREE
This creative FREE event hopes to showcase just how powerful a poet David Bowie was – local poets and spoken word folk will share essays inspired by The Starman as well as read excerpts from the pen of David – to be held in the Grand Hall of the Free Library of Philadelphia Main Branch.
Night Skies
@ The Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street
6-9pm / $10 for non-members of the museum, $5 for members / Cash Bar
The Franklin Institute kicks off another year of stargazing with a tribute to the man who fell to Earth. Hosted by Franklin Institute Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts, this evening will feature a lecture on the Space Oddities that are Exoplanets and how we find planets outside our own solar system, as well as shows in the Fels Planetarium and activities that will explore Bowie’s place among the stars. View celestial objects in the night sky, including stars, planets, and nebulae in our observatory as well as from our rooftop observation deck offering continuous telescopic observing all evening (weather permitting). Guest will also get to make a commemorative Night Skies Bowie Pin to remember the night. (All ages)
The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret
@ L’Etage, 624 South 6th Street
8pm / $15-$25
Martha Graham Cracker, the city’s tallest and hairiest drag queen, not-surprisingly counts David Bowie as one of her biggest influences and will perform a few Bowie songs within her monthly show at L’Etage. tickets/info (21+)
Guitar Army: A Tribute to Bowie
@ The Barbary, 951 Frankford Avenue
9pm / FREE / $ menu
The second annual gathering of Guitar Army Philly to celebrate David Bowie – the man and the music! Costumes are highly encouraged! This is a kinetic shrine for our Starman, LET’S DANCE!!! Admission to The Barbary is free so bring friends … let’s get convivial. We love you. (21+)
Labyrinth After Hours
@ Jet Wine Bar, 1525 South Street
9pm / FREE / $ menu
Jet Wine Bar will be offering a free screening of the classic film Labyrinth to compliment their extensive wine menu, as well as lite bites and a full bar – complete with a special cocktail inspired by Bowie – STARDUST! $2 from the purchase of each STARDUST will go to the fund created for the Cancer Center of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – in memory of David Bowie (21+)
Tio Bowie Night
@ Tio Flores, 1600 South Street
6pm / FREE / $ menu
Stop by Tio Flores for some dinner – as they debut two Bowie-themed cocktails for one night only ($2 from each purchased will go to the Bowie Fund at CHOP) – plus their chef was inspired by the Starman to create a Bowie Guacamole (blood orange, jalapeño, toasted pistachios, feta, green plantain chips) … the two cocktails are Oh! You Pretty Thing and the Queen Bitch!