Celebrating David Bowie

Nicole Johnson January 28, 2016

CELEBRATING DAVID BOWIE

A concert to celebrate Davide Bowie and benefit Max’s Kansas City

DAVID BOWIE.SEC.20/02/2004.

On February 8th, The Florence Belsky Charitable Foundation in partnership with Scrote, Bowie bandmates and LA musicians will perform and celebrate the music of David Bowie at the iconic Roxy Theater. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to Max’s Kansas City, a New York based non-profit organization serving the arts and youth communities. Nectar News sat down with Scrote, performer and producer of the David Bowie Celebration concert to learn more about the upcoming event.

NN: How do you hope the community will benefit from the program you’ve designed in celebration of Bowie?

S: This has been a tough month in this tight yet global circle of friends, fans, and associates of David Bowie. Everyone is still in a bit of shock and grieving from his passing. This event came to be organically from the inside out and I believe has turned into a bit of group therapy. Once that I decided to go ahead and run with it, the offers, interest, and outpouring of sincerity to be involved has snowballed tremendously and continues to do so each day.

NN: What should attendees expect on February 8th?

S: I am working very hard to design the best possible show with the best possible musicians to present a retrospect of David Bowie’s music catalog from 1969 to current songs. It’s a massive, extremely varied, and immensely artistic collection so it is quite an undertaking especially with such short notice. I have figured a way though in one 3 1/2 hours nonstop set that I think is fairly representative of the many periods of his work. With the help of this world class collective of musicians who have played with everyone from Bowie himself, Sting, Beck, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, etc, etc,etc…, i believe it will be an epic and heartfelt event.

NN: How does this event differ from some of the other concerts you’ve produced for the community?

S: All the other events we have put on have been for the fun of exploring the catalogues of innovative global artists – almost like an open musical research and development lab of iconic past works or artists like Miles Davis, Peter Gabriel, Fela Kuti, The Bee Gees, Talking Heads, and others. Those were all called ‘Interpreting’ shows to let people know that we were using the material as a springboard for further exploration. I stopped producing those shows over a year ago to concentrate full time on my own original recordings and concerts. When David Bowie died, I was playing with my good friend and bass player from his new record, Tim Lefebvre. It sent such an immediate shock wave so far and deep that when people started asking me if I would do something I couldn’t say no. David Bowie is my favorite artist ever and has been for decades, a guiding light for many around the world. This concert is not an interpretation per se as past ones were but a celebration of him.

NN: How will the event on the 8th benefit Max’s Kansas City?

S: It is very very exciting and appropriate to be able to give all proceeds to Max’s Kansas City Project. The history of Max’s intertwines with David Bowie and their work for arts community & children in need perfectly aligns with the spirit of this event.

Scrote has produced, recorded, and/or performed with Daniel Johnston, Puscifer, Jackson Browne, No Doubt, Fred Frith, Tim Lefebvre, Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Joe Sumner (Fiction Plane), Blake Mills, actor Gary Oldman, Paul Barker (Ministry), Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie), David Yow (Jesus Lizard), Van Dyke Parks, Wayne Kramer, (MC5), Rhys Chatham, Michael Des Barres, Carina Round, & Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu). Previous shows have included the ‘8 Cities 8 Drummers’ duo tour, the ‘Do Something Different’ band tour, ‘Awkward Songs Of Love Sin & General Mayhem’ solo tour, and electronic improv tours. Scrote has also composed for TV & film, received commissions for original ballet & orchestral scores, and performed with ensembles of 5, 100 & 200 electric guitarists.

Max’s Kansas City, the beneficiary of the upcoming concert was established in 2001 by Yvonne R. Sewall. The organizations’main program is the Emergency Relief Fund for individuals in the arts in crisis. Nectar News also sat down with Sewall to discuss the upcoming event and learn more about Max’s Kansas City.

NN: What is the Emergency Relief Fund at Max’s Kansas City Project?

YS: We award one time grants for housing, medical or legal aid of between 500-1000. Usually 1000. You have to live in NY State or have been connected to Max’s as an employee or a patron.
Our teen empowerment through the arts program FEARLESS YOUth has not yet been launched. My goal as the CEO & Founder is to find a larger organization to take over the programs and I will transition to ambassador and focus on promoting the youth program.

Sewell expresses her gratitude to Scrote and the Florence Belsky Charitable Foundation for allowing Max’s Kansas City to be the beneficiary of the David Bowie Celebration. To purchase tickets, visit the link below.

PURCHASE TICKETS

DATE: February 8th

TIME: 7:00 PM Doors —- 8:00 PM Show

LOCATION: Roxy Theater; 9009 West Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA

ADMISSION: $35.00 -$75.00 (All Ages)

Too Good