Latest Posts | By Abbe Sparks
1 year ago
Audiences Will Return for 2022 Love Rocks NYC Benefit Concert
Audiences will return for the 2022 Love Rocks NYC annual benefit concert on tap for March 10th. The 6th annual fundraising extravaganza is back at the iconic Beacon Theatre after going virtual last year. Presented by The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, the funds raised will benefit one of New York City’s most adored non-profit [...]
1 year ago
Try a Little Kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Week
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Advocacy
Try a little kindness: it's Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK WEEK). Everyone can always use a bit of uplifting, especially with so much ugliness in our world. We can't think of a better way to be Socially Sparked® than to cease the DAY! Did you know that being kind or nice to another is [...]
1 year ago
Every Day is Father’s Day for Rock Icon Ian McDonald
Rock icon Ian McDonald passed away on February 10th after a long battle with cancer. He leaves us with a legacy of music and love for his family, friends and colleagues. Today we share our interview with Ian from 5 years ago, originally published June 11, 2017. #RIP British Rock Icon Ian McDonald of HONEY [...]
1 year 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 [...]
1 year ago
Nominations for the 2022 Oscars Are Out!
Nominations for the 94th Annual Oscars® are out and this year's slate is filled with a diverse list of actors and actresses and films. Good Morning America simultaneously broadcast the 94th Oscar Nominations Actor–comedian Leslie Jordan and actor, CEO and producer Tracee Ellis Ross announced the 94th Oscars® nominations today via a global live stream [...]
1 year ago
Broadway Week Gets Extension for 15 Shows
Broadway Week gets an extension for its 2-for-1 Tickets program for 15 shows! Beginning February 13th thru the 27th, theater lovers will still be able to purchase up to two tickets for the price of one for select shows! Tickets are on sale now through the official Broadway Week Page at nycgo.com. . The extended [...]
1 year ago
Staten Island Chuck is the Socially Sparked Groundhog Day Winner
Happy Groundhog Day 2022. Traditions are a very important part of our culture and the Groundhog day celebration is no exception. We put our faith in and hope that Spring will come early based on whether the Groundhog sees his shadow or not. February 2nd is National Groundhog Day Every February 2nd the Groundhog takes [...]
1 year ago
Sparks Ignite February Awareness Causes with Love
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Advocacy
FEBRUARY AWARENESS SPARKS Sparks ignite February awareness initiatives for many important health and social issues. It is the month for Love, Black History, Heart Disease, and Teen Dating Violence Awareness, to name a few. Holidays this month include Valentine's Day and President's Day. AWARENESS WEEKS this month bring us Burn Awareness Week (2/6-2/12); Random Acts [...]
1 year ago
Restaurant Week Returns to NYC Despite Omicron
Restaurant Week returns to New York City despite the omicron variant's presence. The city's flagship dining program runs this winter from January 18th thru February 13th. Foodies and non-foodies alike will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy over 500 diverse participating restaurants across all five boroughs thanks to NYC & Company, who hosts the [...]
2 years ago
Recovery and Remembrance Top the September Sparks
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Advocacy
Recovery and remembrance top the September sparks this year. It's also the month to raise awareness for suicide prevention, food safety, cancer 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. Topping [...]
2 years 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 [...]
2 years 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 years 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 [...]
2 years 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 [...]
2 years 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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2 years 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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2 years 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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2 years 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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2 years 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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