Socially Sparked Moments 2018

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 – [...]

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) [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

On Harmony by jazz impresario Norman Granz (1918 - 2001) is this week's Socially Sparked Quote of the Week. Known as one of the most influential producers of the 20th century jazz scene, Granz is equally recognized for his activism for civil rights and equality within the industry and beyond. "Jazz is America's own. It [...]

Scott Sharrard & Friends live from NYC's Irving Plaza brought down the house last night. Dubbed the 'secret show' orchestrated by Grammy-nominee Sharrard, (former musical director/guitarist/vocalist of The Gregg Allman Band) the concert was part tribute to the late Gregg Allman and his final Grammy-nominated album Southern Blood and part celebration of the 47th anniversary [...]

Vocal group Naturally 7 raise their voices for social change simultaneously creating beautiful harmonies and messages. The New York City-based group offers artistically innovative and feel-good sounds to convey emotion and stir action in what they coin ‘vocal play’. “In vocal play, you have to truly believe that that instrument is right in front of [...]

Full live stream ahead for The 60th annual GRAMMY Awards® and all the action leading up to tonight's live broadcast from New York's Madison Square Garden. James Cordon hosts the live telecast on the CBS Television Network tonight at 7:30PM ET / 4:30PM PT) and Paul Shaffer hosts the Premiere Ceremony. Both ceremonies can be [...]

NYC is red carpet ready for the GRAMMYS® return this week. It's been 15 years since the Recording Academy™ last brought the Grammy Awards® to New York and the Big Apple is ready to be Socially Sparked® once again. A fitting finale to JanArtsNYC, GRAMMY Week brings thousands of industry professionals, artists, producers, creatives and [...]

Five Socially Sparked® Oscar® Nominee facts you should know. The Academy Awards® reveals this year's nominees with Diversity and Equality ever present. The Shape of Water leads the list at 13 nods, with Three Billboards right behind. Here are our five takes on the 2018 Oscar nominees. FIVE SOCIALLY SPARKED OSCAR NOMINEE FACTS 1. BEST [...]

The Razzies® reveal 2018 nominees for Hollywood’s worst of the worst offerings. The announcement comes one day before nominees for Hollywood’s best of the best are revealed. Transformers: The Last Knight leads the leader board with nine total nominations, including worst picture and worst actor for Mark Wahlberg. The 38th annual Razzies (a/k/a The Golden [...]

The Women's Movement re-energizes with new 2018 focus - The Polls. More specifically, mobilizing people to register and vote aiming at the mid-term elections and beyond. It's evident that yesterday's Women's Marches around the country are not a one-hit wonder, but rather a full-blown movement --one that will Socially Spark our lives for years to [...]

Legendary Zombies bassist Jim Rodford (Kinks, Argent) is dead (July 1941 - January 20, 2018). Rodford, a featured Socially Sparked News Spotlight story -- was an incredible musician, loving husband and father and stand-up all-around guy. We at Socially Sparked News are truly saddened by this sudden news. Rodford had a steller 2017 -- a [...]

The return of the Women’s March 2018 marks the anniversary of its historic inaugural year. On Saturday, January 20, 2018, millions of women and people of all genders across the country will once again raise their voices to demand equality for all humans. Alot has happened on the women’s movement front since last year’s march. [...]

We interrupt our digital news site temporarily as we are moving for the New Year! Please accept our apologies for the lack of Real News while we make the transition to bigger and better quarters. Socially Sparked News should be back up to speed by end of next week -- assuming the forecasted NYC snowstorm [...]

January sparks health and social justice awareness campaigns and celebrations galore. Mark your calendars as the month is filled with activities and events sure to get you Socially Sparked®. Health Observances this month include: Cervical Health Month; Thyroid Awareness Month and Awareness Months for National Birth Defects Prevention and Glaucoma. Social Justice Causes include: National [...]