“We can be heroes, just for one day”
So sang the ever-charming David Bowie in his song ‘Heroes’, released as the title track of his album Heroes in 1977. With a music career spanning nearly four decades, Bowie’s iconic presence is still influentially compelling in music, fashion and art. His most successful decade to date was the Eighties, where he had five worldwide top 10 albums and was one of the leading forces behind the glam rock movement.
Fast-forward to 2014, where in a quiet and sleepy town in Yorkshire, the Eighties was alive and kicking for one night only in Tokyo York. Organised by third year University of York student Tess Humphrey, Heroes was an evening of Eighties and Eighties-inspired music – a theme surprisingly lacking in York’s club scene.
Initially wary, as I had not experienced the sticky floors and sweaty air of Tokyo since Freshers’ Week in my first year, I was pleasantly surprised that Heroes had a separate entrance to its own luscious private dance-room and bar. This could not be the very same Tokyo, I thought, a thought shared by many attendees to the night.
Terrific music was provided by DJ Martin Waugh, where every song had people dancing rapturously on their feet, embracing the music of the Sixties right through to now, and of course, Bowie and his musical descendants.
The build-up to Heroes included a Bowie-themed cocktail creation competition won by Lixie Stott with ‘Looking For Water’ – 1 part ginger beer, 1 part tequila, a (very) generous dash of lemon and lime juice, 1 part lemonade. Upon hearing the news that she had won a free glass of this heady concoction, Stott said, “Oh Lord, does that mean I have to drink it? Because I am scared.” ‘Looking For Water’ tasted delicious and I’d recommend it for any Eighties-themed party.
Any Bowie night would not be complete without fancy dress. Heroes encouraged this with its fancy dress competition, where the prizes were a Goblin King wig, a Bowie cup, Moomin badges, an Adventure Time wristband, and temporary tattoos. Many attendees wore massive wigs, platform shoes and leotards for a chance at one of these prizes.
Heroes was one of many fundraiser events being ran by Tambourgi Productions (Tess Humphrey, Laura Stratford and Daisy Hale) to fund for their original show, Winter of Our Discotheque, to be taken to Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Past fundraiser events have included other shows and themed nights, proving very popular amongst York students.
Heroes had an astoundingly fabulous venue, wonderful music and a fantastic theme, hopefully it won’t be too long before another Bowie night graces York.
Like Tambourgi Productions’ Facebook page and follow Tambourgi Productions on Twitter for more info on their progress of taking Winter of Our Discotheque to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.