Blondiefest: One Way or Another at the ICA will survey and celebrate the cultural legacy of Blondie and their iconic front-woman Debbie Harry.
Blondie – credit: Sheila Rock at Rex Features
Debbie Harry and the band define their epoch – their records and image are synonymous with their time and place. Beginning in New York in the mid-70s’ punk and new-wave scenes, by the late 70s and early 80s their eclectic musical style, compelling rhythms and seductive pop melodies, had propelled them from the fringes to the mainstream.
Founded by Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein, Blondie have released nine studio albums. And despite a fifteen-year hiatus (from 1982 to 1997), they are back touring to sell-out audiences, and have worldwide record sales of over 40 million. More than 35 years after it was founded, the band remains hugely popular, relevant and culturally significant.
Debbie Harry also has a prolific and distinguished 30-year film career that includes some remarkable movies – think Videodrome and Hairspray, both of which the ICA will be screening at Blondiefest.
Blondiefest programme highlights include:
• In-conversation between Clem Burke (legendary drummer with Blondie) and television presenter and journalist Katie Puckrik
• Screening of David Cronenberg’s Videodrome
• Tony Fletcher and David Quantick talk on Blondie and the 70s NYC music scene
• Blondie as fashion icons debate with BEAT Magazine’s Hanna Hanra, designer Luella Bartley and journalist Francesca Burns
• Screening of John Waters’ Hairspray
• Screening of Tales from the Darkside – the Movie, introduced by funk and punk legend Chaz Jankel with journalist Sophie Heawood
• Music and stories from Manhattan with Philip Rambow
• ‘Blondieoke’ in the ICA Bar
Listings information:
Blondiefest at the ICA
Friday 5 July to Sunday 7 July 2013
Twitter @icalondon | www.facebook.com/icalondon
Book online www.ica.org.uk Box Office 020 7930 3647
Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH
In related news…
Sylvain Sylvain Of New York Dolls + The Duel + The Bears At The 100 Club on 25 July 2013. For tickets please go to: http://ffruk.com/shop/
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