“Maybe I should announce it? Should I?”
BOWIE’S BECKENHAM ODDITY is an annual fundraiser, supported by David Bowie when he provided signed items for auction at the event.
This year the Bowie Archive has donated another item signed by him, more details of which will follow before the festival in August.
Money raised goes to the Bandstand Restoration & Plaque Fund. Meanwhile here’s the press release, with ticket links, etc...
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BOWIE’S BECKENHAM ODDITY 2018:
Saturday, 11th August – 12 noon to 8pm
Croydon Road Recreation Centre, Beckenham, BR3 3PR
A festival celebrating the life and legacy of David Bowie, his time in Beckenham and beyond.
Fans and music lovers worldwide are invited to come together on Saturday 11th August 2018, in Beckenham, South London, to celebrate David Bowie's songs, life and influence, in the park where his rise to stardom began back in 1969.
The third “Bowie’s Beckenham Oddity” will take place at Croydon Road Recreation Ground, centred around the same iconic bandstand where Bowie and friends from the Beckenham Arts Lab held the UK’s first Free Festival - “The Growth Summer Festival” - on 16 August, nearly 49 years ago. The festival coincided with the release of David’s first hit single “Space Oddity” and the day was later immortalised with another Bowie single release: “Memory Of A Free Festival”.
This year’s event kicks off at 12 noon, with a line-up of musical talent who will reprise Bowie’s greatest songs, including “Life On Mars?”, the career defining classic he wrote whilst sat on the bandstand steps as well as doing some of their own songs.
Other attractions include food and drinks by local vendors, a raffle of donated prizes, and the auction of Bowie related memorabilia.
Tickets cost £10 adults, £5 for 10 to 16 year olds, and under 10's go free! Tickets are available online in advance here or at the gate on the day of the event.
Fans can also support the event via the personalised brick sales, which will be laid in their name around the bandstand on restoration. They can also donate to the “Bowie Bandstand Restoration & Plaque Fund”, which will honour not only David Bowie, but all of the people who took part in the initial 1969 festival.
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B.B.O. Organiser Wendy Faulkner
After being actively involved in previous fundraiser events for the bandstand, when news broke of David Bowie’s death, Wendy felt they had to do this tribute for him and to get this unique piece of musical history restored in his name:
“It’s not just about Bowie, but also all the people who were involved with him along his path to stardom. Brixton has its mural, Aylesbury now has its Earthly Messenger statue, but for me the most real and meaningful place has to be at the bandstand. His ties to the borough and the bandstand are without question; he thrived here, having found the freedom to develop the songs that would later change him, change music and change the world. Slightly off the beaten track, it’s well worth the journey to come along to see it and experience it first-hand.
I'm pleased that David Bowie knew of the fundraising efforts, and donated signed items for the events before his passing. We will never see anyone like Bowie again, a true legend and star, and this is our way to keep the memory alive and put the iconic bandstand on the map.”
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“Bowie’s Beckenham Oddity” is supported by idverde , Bromley Parks, and The London Borough of Bromley, who have named the bandstand “The Bowie Bandstand” in his honour.
Tickets here.
For further information, images and interviews please contact:
Wendy Faulkner
Email: bowiesbeckenhamoddity@gmail.com
Mobile: 07538 984631
Photograph by Ray Stevenson
#bowiesbeckenhamoddity #bowiesbandstand