Latest Posts | By Abbe Sparks
5 days ago
Ma Rainey Remains Top of Mind in 21st Century
The legendary “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey remains top of mind these days as a trailblazing performer and inspiration. The newest vehicle to keep the music icon at the forefront in the 21st Century is a half-hour television special tribute by Netflix in partnership with the GRAMMY Museum®. ABOUT THE TV SPECIAL An inspiring [...]
6 days ago
Say Cheese & Celebrate Grilled Cheese Day
Say Cheese and celebrate Grilled Cheese Day. Most everybody loves cheese and the designated day comes at a perfect time. In this era of stay home, lockdown and shelter-in-place due to the global pandemic, more people around the world are turning to comfort food. The beloved sandwich has Socially Sparked® our lives in countless ways. It [...]
2 weeks ago
APRIL SHOWERS SPARKS FOR ALCOHOLISM, POETRY, AUTISM, JAZZ +
April sparks spotlight alcoholism, autism, poetry, jazz and many more social justice, health and arts awareness initiatives, all adjusted to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Sparks also electrify awareness for the environment, sexual assault, child abuse and distracted driving. Designated days include Earth Day, World Health Day and Walking Day, to name just a few. Here’s [...]
2 months ago
Hats Off Dr. Seuss – Happy Birthday
Hats off to Dr. Seuss in honor of his Birthday. This cat in the hat Socially Sparked® our lives in countless ways -- as American author, political cartoonist, poet, animator, book publisher and artist -- to name a few. Dr. Seuss Day is celebrated each year close to his birthday on March 2nd during Reading [...]
2 months ago
Pizza Slices of Diversity Socially Sparked: National Pizza Day
Pizza Slices of Diversity Socially Sparked® our lives in countless ways. Today, pizza comes in all shapes, sizes, styles and flavors, making it one of the most versatile food favorites of every age group – from toddler through senior. In honor of National Pizza Day, here’s a bit of trivia on the diversity of the [...]
4 months ago
Remembering John Lennon 1940-1980
Remembering John Lennon 40 years later. (1940 - 1980). Forty years ago on that fateful day of December 8th, we lost music legend John Lennon to senseless gun violence when he was brutally shot and killed in front of his residence at The Dakota in New York City. John Lennon, 1940 - 1980. Photo taken [...]
4 months ago
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Sparks Americans
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Advocacy
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day sparks Americans with the annual observance of the lives lost in the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Today Americans across the country honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor 78 years ago. President Bill Clinton declared [...]
6 months ago
November Awareness Causes Ignite the Giving Month
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Advocacy
November is the giving month and ignites hope for change and awareness for many important causes. Giving thanks, giving kindness and giving aid become uber important this month as the …
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6 months ago
Trend in Virtual Galas Continues for Arts Organizations
The trend in virtual galas continues for performing arts organizations as pandemic protocols that include social distancing and capacity limits still rule the country. The latest company to enter …
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6 months ago
A Tony for Christmas?
News of this year’s Tony Award® Nominees comes at a most welcome time in American history. Theatre lovers, patrons, the theatre community at large and New York City were …
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6 months ago
3 Day Virtual Music Fest Hopes to Save Our Stages
Live Performance and our independent venues are in serious jeopardy and time is running out to save our stages. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) hopes to keep both alive …
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6 months ago
Reimagining NYC Venues to Keep Live Performance Alive
NYC larger venues and cultural institutions are reimagining their spaces to keep live performance alive. The pandemic continues to shake the performing arts and music world to its core with …
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6 months ago
Giving Regards to Broadway as Shut Down Extends
We’re giving our regards to Broadway as the news of extending the shut down sets in. Broadway curtains will now remain on pause thru May 2021 says The Broadway League. …
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6 months ago
International Day of the Girl Sparks Future Change-Makers
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Advocacy
This year's International Day of the Girl sparks empowering girls as change-makers for a better world. The theme for 2020 is "My Voice, Our Equal Future" which reimagines a better world inspired and led by adolescent girls, as part of the global Generation Equality movement. International Day of the Girl 2020 There are 1.1 billion [...]
7 months ago
Sixty Counts: It’s the International Day of Older Persons!
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Advocacy
Sixty Counts: it's the International Day of Older Persons. The United Nations-designated day spotlights age equality each October 1st. It offers everyone around the world an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the important contributions that older people make to society. Moreover, it raises awareness of the opportunities and challenges of aging in today’s world. The [...]
7 months ago
October Sparks For Domestic Violence, Bullying Prevention +
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Advocacy
Halloween will go on at a social distance this October October sparks awareness for Domestic Violence, Bullying Prevention, Drug Safety Education, Breast Cancer plus many other important health and social issues that plague our society. It's also the time for Fall fun activities as apple and pumpkin picking and trick or treating for Halloween. Our [...]
7 months ago
Pandemic Forces Annual Viva Broadway Event Virtual to Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month
The annual Viva Broadway event to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month will go on this Fall as a virtual digital concert. The pandemic continues to cause organizations to pivot their events, adding this event's presenters, The Broadway League and Playbill, to the list. ¡Viva Broadway! Hear Our Voices pivots virtual to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month Playbill [...]
7 months ago
Reimagined New York Film Festival Opens Sept. 17th
A reimagined New York Film Festival (NYFF) opens September 17 and runs thru October 11, 2020 with a an adjusted format and covid-19 protocals in place. The 58th edition will be different, yet familiar from years past with a combination of Drive-In and virtual screenings, filmmaker talks and more. The NYFF58 will begin one week [...]