Dublin's very first David Bowie festival takes place this weekend - the day after the man himself celebrates his 69th birthday and releases his new album, Blackstar.
The two-day event on January 9 and 10 in Dublin venue the Grand Social will include live music from Bowie tribute acts, a Q&A with Bowie's guitarist and musical director, Irishman Gerry Leonard, rare record collectors and memorabilia market, documentary screenings, and the Queen Bitch Quiz.
There will also be Bowieoke, DJ sets and on Saturday, Leonard will join Irish Bowie's covers band Rebel Rebel for a greatest hits show. Leonard will also perform his debut Irish show under his Spooky Ghost moniker on Sunday.
Bowie's new album Blackstar is out on Friday, January 8
Organisers say that plans are already being made for Bowie 70th birthday next year and promise an even bigger weekend of special guests, gigs, screenings and sideshows.
No stranger to Dublin himself, Bowie memorably played a surprise gig in the city's former landmark rock venue The Baggot Inn in 1991. He also played intimate shows at The Waterfront and in The Factory rehearsal space near the Dublin docks.
Bowie also headlined Slane Castle in 1987 on his Glass Spider tour.
Saturday January 9th: Rebel Rebel - Bowie Greatest Hits Show with special guest: Gerry Leonard. Doors: 8.00pm. Admission: €12.00 (www.tickets.ie)
Sunday January 10th: Spooky Ghost. Doors: 7.30pm. Admission: €12.00 (www.tickets.ie)
