There should be more than a few David Bowie tribute nights popping up over the next few weeks, from the Heroes dance party set for January 30 at the Middle East to impromptu sessions and sing-alongs from mourning fans minding the jukeboxes or makeshift DJ booths at the dive bar around the corner.
Cambridge DIY arts space and underdog live music venue Out of the Blue Too Art Gallery & More is opening up its stage Thursday night, January 14, for a wide-ranging night of styles and sounds all in the name of the late Thin White Duke.
Performers will include Jess Jacobs of Band Without Hands, Jarva Land and the Shark Bag Collective, Sun Young, Dead Elect, burlesque poetess JoJo Lazar, Sam Apotheker, Fabio Tare, and others. The event is all ages, asks for a $5 donation to enter, and will be hosted by Jenny French.
"I think Out Of The Blue Too reflects a lot of Bowie's ideals of openness and overt expression," manager TJ Edson tells Vanyaland. "The gallery tries to be safe space where you can truly be yourself and come together with others striving to do the same. Bowie was a creative force. OOTBT strives to create an empowering environment where you can feel inspired to realize your creative potential. I play Bowie's music over the PA at the gallery all the time -- I love it and it is perfect for the funky environment."
Thursday's Bowie tribute was a result of fate. After a previously scheduled show fell through, Edson, put out a open invitation late Sunday night as news of Bowie's death spread rapidly around the world.
"Without any confirmed acts, the event took off like crazy," Edson says. "Bands started messaging the gallery about playing and it came together more and more. As of right now there are 10 acts, some of them being full bands, lined up to play. We will be having a two-stage setup to keep the flow going nicely with a maximum of three songs each. Myself and the bands have figured out a diplomatic way to ensure there are not multiple covers of Bowie tunes. To make this even more special, there is a copy of Labyrinth at the gallery that we will project onto the ceiling during the whole show."
Get more info via the Facebook event page, and preview some of the performers below...