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There's a good chance, even if you were born after the glory days of glam rock, you've heard of David Bowie. The rock 'n' roll icon has, after all, been around for the better part of five decades. Now, if you think Bowie and you think sequined unitards and cocaine, you'll only be half right. Several of his reinventions were far more down to earth than his first and perhaps most famous, the androgynous space alien named Ziggy Stardust.

Also aka-ed as "The Thin White Duke" for a while, producing three albums known as The Berlin Trilogy and growing increasingly experimental in the '90s, Bowie has always pushed the envelope of musical innovation. But the greatest thing about Bowie's many incarnations is that the music never gets old. With songs ranging from classic rock and roll, electronica, soul, R&B, psychedelic funk, and -- of course -- glamorous, sequiny, fabulous rock, there's something for everyone in this legend's repertoire. Bowie combines flashy synth beats with surprisingly deep lyrics in a glorious supernova of sound that will pick you up when you're down or calm you when you're up. Listening to Bowie always seems to make my day a bit brighter, but that could just be reflection from the sequins. What's truly exciting is that now is a better time than ever to get into Bowie as his music undergoes a new resurgence of popularity. His songs feature prominently in the film "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou" and also in "Moulin Rouge." Flight of the Conchords wrote its own hilarious Bowie tribute song, "Bowie in Space." In fact, Bowie tends to crop up in the most unexpected and unconventional places, cameoing in "Zoolander" and portraying Nikola Tesla in 2006's "The Prestige." But then again, from David Bowie, would we want anything conventional?

How to Get Into It: Pick up the "Best of Bowie" album at any store for a good introduction. Rent the movie "The Labyrinth," a wonderful '80s flick that stars Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King.

-- ERIN BRITTON

PLAYLIST

Indie rock invites dancing

The 2000s post-punk revival movement has hit indie rockers stateside and across the pond. Often quirky and artsy, this style of alt-rock appeals to most ears with its bright guitar melodies and tempo that invites dancing. Here's a sampling of British and American post-punk bands sure to please.

• Going Missing -- Maxïmo Park

• Island -- Ben Taylor Band

• Your Heart Is an Empty Room -- Death Cab for Cutie

• Cosmopolitan -- Nine Black Alp

• Sandblasted and Set Free -- Maxïmo Park

• Hot Pursuit -- The Bravery

• Yankee Bayonet -- The Decemberist

• Life Less Ordinary -- Carbon Leaf

• Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt -- We Are Scientists

• Strasbourg -- The Rakes

-- ALEXA DOBSON

QUE PASA

Glacier Pilots batter up twice this weekend

See what Alaska pro sports have to offer at the Anchorage Glacier Pilots baseball game against the San Francisco Seals. The teams battle twice -- at 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday at Mulcahy Stadium. Tickets are $5-7; www.glacierpilots.com.

More than 4,600 step up for Alaska Run for Women

Saturday is the annual Alaska Run for Women, a one- or five-mile run/walk to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Over 4,600 women participate in the race, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Anchorage Football Stadium. Go to www.akrfw.org for more information.

Celebrate Dad's Day with paddleboat fun

Celebrate Father's Day with Goose Lake's Paddle Fun Day beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday. Test boats, learn paddle techniques and attend free clinics at this free event at Goose Lake Park. Call 272-4565 for more information.

-- CHLOE MILLER

STAFF Editors: Jose DelReal, Erin Britton

Photo Editor: Sofia Vasconi

If you're a high school student, are talented or interested in writing or photography, and would like to look into teen journalism, come join our staff! Call PW at 257-4306 or e-mail us at perfectworld@adn.com.