Latest Posts | By Abbe Sparks
5 years ago
Vinyl Lovers Rejoice with Record Store Day New Releases
Vinyl lovers rejoice with over 550 new releases to choose from in honor of Record Store Day 2019. The annual event brings together independent record stores from around the world featuring a range of celebratory activities that offer special promotions, artist appearances, performances, give-a-ways and more. Now in its 12th year, Record Store Day (RSD) [...]
5 years ago
JanArtsNYC Returns to Kick-Off New Year
JanArtsNYC returns to kick-off the new year with a month-long annual celebration of the performing arts around the globe. Performing arts enthusiasts, advocates, artists and fans can expect a flurry of eventful activity in the City throughout the month. A kaleidoscope of industry conferences, forums, music concerts, public festivals, salutes, retrospectives and award ceremonies will [...]
6 years ago
Global Conversations for a Better World Intensify During UN Week
Global conversations for a better world intensify this week as a variety of activities surrounding UN Week and the 73rd United Nations General Assembly take place in New York City -- all with one common goal in mind — The 17 Global Goals (SDGs). UN Week, a/k/a Global Goals Week runs from September 22nd thru [...]
6 years ago
September Sparks Awareness for Suicide Prevention, Cancers, Food Safety +
September sparks awareness for suicide, cancers, food safety and many more important health and social initiatives. The return to fall starts an active calendar of monthly and weekly campaigns designed to make an impact for progress, prevention and finding cures. Here are highlights for September. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH: Held every September, the month is [...]
6 years ago
Hopes, Dreams and The Band’s Visit Shine Brightest: 2018 Tony Awards 2018 Tony Awards
Hopes, dreams and The Band's Visit were the biggest winners of the 72nd Annual Tony Awards. The brightest moments of Broadway's biggest night came from the presenters, performers, and winning speeches -- all touching on hope, dreams and some of society’s most pressing issues as Equality, Diversity, LGBTQ, Immigration and Bullying. Tony co-hosts Josh Groban [...]
6 years ago
Third Time’s a Charm for France Rocks NYC
The third time’s a charm for France Rocks NYC, a summer music festival that brings the best of French produced music to NYC. The third annual France Rocks Summerfest kicks-off this weekend in New York City and runs through July 5. France Rocks founder Michele Amar tells us what to expect and how the music [...]
6 years ago
June Sun Shines on Safety, Pride, Environment and More
June sun shines awareness on Safety, LGBTQ Pride, the Environment, Summerfests and more worthwhile causes and fun events. It is the month to celebrate the official onset of Summer, Fathers, Hunger and festivals galore. Here are five top June Events to know. IN THE SUNLIGHT >NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH -- Every June, the National Safety Council [...]
6 years ago
Music Takes Over NYC in June – New York Music Month
Music takes over NYC in June with the return of New York Music Month (NYMM). New Yorkers and tourists alike are sure to find an event to whet their musical tastes with a slew of events, concerts and festivals from indie rock and pop; classic rock, blues and jazz, to rap and hip hop – [...]
6 years ago
Power of Music to Melt Hostilities: Quote of the Week
The power of music to melt hostilities is the message of The Socially Sparked Quote of the Week by internationally renowned American pianist Byron Janis. “Music has the power to make allies out of enemies” -- Byron Janis, world renowned American Pianist These words stem from Janis' first-hand experience performing in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) [...]
6 years ago
Parade of Ships on New York’s Waters for FLEET WEEK
The Parade of Ships on New York's Waters kicks off the 30th anniversary of Fleet Week NY on Wednesday. Fourteen ships entered New York's Hudson River Harbor this morning on their way to dock for seven days. Now in its 30th year, FWNY is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It provides citizens [...]
6 years ago
And, The Obie Award Goes To…
The 2018 Obie Awards let the sparks fly Off-Broadway last night with the 63rd annual Awards ceremony at New York City’s Terminal 5. Co-presented by The Village Voice and The American Theatre Wing, awards were given out to four writers, three directors and 10 artist performers plus special citations, grants and the Lifetime Achievement Award. [...]
6 years ago
Livestream from New York: Theatre’s Obie Awards
Tonight marks theatre's coveted Obie Awards® and the third time you can watch via livestream. The 63rd Annual Awards Ceremony will recognize Off-Broadway and Off-Off broadway’s most adventurous and groundbreaking artists and productions. A Co-presentation by The American Theatre Wing and The Village Voice, the awards categories are informal and there are no advance nominees. [...]
6 years ago
Breaking Down Barriers Begins with Dialogue: Quote of the Week
The Socially Sparked Quote of the Week comes from outspoken activist Harvey Milk. The visionary civil and human rights leader firmly believed that dialogue played a crucial role in breaking down prejudices. In honor of this week’s celebrations for Cultural Diversity of Dialogue and the birthday of the late Harvey Milk, we highlight one of [...]
6 years ago
Tom Wolfe: Master of Neo Journalism Universe
Tom Wolfe was the master of the neo journalism universe. The prolific author died on Monday at the age of 88. Wolfe had an uncanny knack for capturing American pop culture trends and bringing them to life through his masterful writings threaded with his personal perceptions. It has been 50 years since his now notorious [...]
6 years ago
Hope Springs Anew for Saving Net Neutrality
Hope springs anew for saving net neutrality. In an historic 52-47 vote, the Senate endorsed a resolution to overturn last December’s FCC Ruling to repeal net neutrality regulations of 2015. Yesterday’s surprising Senate vote sends a loud message that the issue is far from over. For months since the FCC’s decision, advocates for a free [...]
6 years ago
Voicing What Comes Naturally: Spotlight Artist Roger Thomas
Roger Thomas sets it straight – when you break down his Vocal Play Group -– Naturally 7 -- it’s simply voicing what comes naturally. The Musical Director and MC recently took five from his American Tour to share his thoughts on all things Roger Thomas, family, Naturally 7, music and social change. Roger Thomas, musical [...]
6 years ago
Daily Dose of Wonderful: Quote of the Week
This merry week in May deserves a daily dose of wonderful. The Socially Sparked® Quote of the Week is about inspiration. "Every day may not be wonderful, but there is something wonderful in every day." -- anonymous Thinking about inspiration, this week is National Nurses Week which culminates with International Nurses Day on May 12th. [...]
6 years ago
World Press Day Celebrates 25th Anniversary
World Press Freedom Day celebrates its 25th anniversary today, May 3rd. A free and open press is essential to the balance of power around the world and the public's right to be informed. Since its inception by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, freedom of the press has expanded to now include freedom of [...]
6 years ago
Jazz Day Closes April Sparks Worldwide
International Jazz Day closes April Sparks with celebrations in over 190 countries from around the world. This year's global host city is St. Petersberg, Russia, which will lead the festivities with a series of educational and outreach programs that culminate in an all-star global concert at the historic Mariinsky Theatre. The concert will be streamed [...]
6 years ago
Jazz Songstress Spider Saloff Heats Up New York
Jazz Songstress Spider Saloff heats up New York City and environs this weekend with two sizzling hot cabaret shows. The Socially Sparked spotlight artist and award-winning sultry jazz and cabaret talent brings her trademark Spider's spin on the music of Irving Berlin and Peggy Lee to Long Island's Tilles Center on Saturday and New York [...]