Put on your red shoes and dance the blues at The Foundry in Brisbane when they hold the unofficial launch of their brand-new David Bowie room, while raising funds for the Cancer Council Of Queensland.
Come face-to-face with The Man Who Sold The World at the Let's Dance: David Bowie Tribute Party with a line-up of DJs spinning Bowie tunes all night across two stages.
We make contact with Pat Balfe, booker for The Foundry (can your hear me, Major Pat?) to find out all we can about the Bowie room and getting funk-to-funky under the moonlight, the serious moonlight.
Why are you holding a David Bowie tribute party?
'Cause why not? It's a great way to celebrate the career of an amazing artist while raising money for an important charity at the same time.
How do you plan on paying tribute to one of the most respected artists of his time?
We’ve got DJs across two stages playing our favourite Bowie hits plus a 'secret band' playing some Bowie tracks live as well.
The show is also the unofficial launch of The Foundry's newly-renovated Bowie Room – can you tell us more about the Bowie Room?
Our venue manager put a lot of time and energy repainting and furnishing the room. A friend of ours also painted a Bowie mural as the focal point of the space.
Bowie Room - image supplied
It's a great addition to the venue as a different area to chill out or dance, or hang out on the balcony away from the main part of the venue. It also has its own, small bar.
What makes it a Bowie Room?
The venue team has always referred to it as the Bowie Room between ourselves; the initial idea to activate the space came to us around the time Bowie died in 2016. It's taken a lot of time and energy to get the space up and running. The way the room is furnished is pretty eclectic, which I guess reflects Bowie’s style and the Bowie mural ties it all together.
What is the long-term plan for the Bowie Room?
We’d like to use it as a space that gives punters an alternative to what's happening in the main room. Different DJs, pop-up events, live performances, art exhibitions or just a different place to hang out away from the crowd.
Bowie Room - image supplied
Why raise funds for Cancer Council Of Queensland?
One Queenslander is diagnosed with cancer every 20 minutes. Everyone knows someone that has been affected by cancer in one way or another, and it's an issue that's been very close to me personally.
Cancer Council Queensland not only raise money for research and prevention, but also improving quality of life for cancer sufferers and their families. They’ve been a great charity to work with and I hope we can raise plenty of cash for them on the night.
Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you found out David Bowie had died?
On Facebook at work, I think.
Do you have a favourite period of Bowie's career and discography?
I really like the Glass Spider live gig filmed in Sydney in 1987.
'Let's Dance' or 'Dancing In The Street'?
'Let’s Dance' – it's a bop.
