Speaking for the rest of the Bobbleheads, we were amazed by how consistently everyone “got it” this year. All of you seemed to be right on the same page with the same vision, which just gave all of us even more energy. This unified voice seemed to even carry over to every tweet, article and interview that we saw. We’re truly lucky to be living in an environment filled with such positive, creative and community-minded people like all of you. And it’s operating at a level I haven’t seen anywhere else.

There is a symphony of chatter going on about what to do next year. We ask that you write these ideas down as soon as you can – before we forget. As organizers, it might be best if you can write suggestions as comments to this post. However we can read posts on the public site (“feedback” page), or on the facebook group.

If you have any interesting stories or favorite vignettes of the event, please share those as well. Otherwise tag your photos with SPARKcon in flickr or tell us where else you put them.

We will be scheduling a meeting in the next few weeks to try to visit with all of you again and capture all of your thoughts. Be on the lookout and come prepared to celebrate!

Thank you again and Spark on!

Aly

Super Small Dances on Saturday at 2pm:

Footnotes Tap Ensemble will not perform as part of Super Small Dances; Code f.a.d. Company will be the only group in this informal show.

Super Small Dances on Sunday at 6pm is canceled. Raleigh Ensemble Players will instead present a 7pm show in their space.

Main-stage Dances:

A selection of short dances by Footnotes Tap Ensemble, nosi Dance Theatre, Code f.a.d. Company, and Acroentertainment will be presented on the main-stage on Saturday night, in between segments of the artSPARK image slam. Stay tuned for the exact schedule of performers!

http://tr.im/xNM6

RALEIGH (September 3, 2009) Local students and video game developers will show off their latest projects for the first ever gamingSPARK. The list includes a broad range of categories including Serious, Casual, Mobile, and Student. These games will all take the spotlight September 18 at 5 p.m. at Urban Design Center located in downtown Raleigh on the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett Street.

Attendees will also be able to enjoy an exclusive demonstration on Alii Motion Technology presented by Alex Lian of Duke University. This cross-platform technology has the capability to turn any standard webcam into a motion controller for a casual, fun, real-action gaming experience.

The featured designers and developers are:

Serious Games:
“DARTT: During Action Review Tactical Trainer” Submitted by: Chris Hazard of Hazardous Software Inc.
”Virtual Peace” Submitted by: Patrick Herron
“Neotokyo” Submitted by: Studio Radi-8
“Venuegen” Submitted by: The Venue Network

Casual Games:
“DQ Tycoon” Submitted by: Spark Plug Games
“Creeper World” Submitted by: Virgil Wall of Knuckle Cracker

Student Games:
“Alii Motion Technology” Submitted by: Alex Lian of Duke University
“Spectral Assult” Submitted by: PiRadical Studios (A group of 9 NC State students)
“Quark” Submitted by: Mitch Johnson of Wake Tech

Mobile Games:
“StickWars” Submitted by: John Hartzog
“Aya Go” Submitted by: Spark Plug Games
“Witch’s Workshop” Submitted by: Spark Plug Games
“Hyper Word” Submitted by: Bee Appi

GamingSPARK was coordinated by Megan Wood, with support from local game industry professionals Christy White, Steve Greene, Troy Knight, Jeff Palumbo, Jason Sponaugle, Meghan Murphy, and Alexander Macris. Event sponsored by

About SPARKcon:
SPARKcon showcases local creative talent in the NC Triangle. For four days, Raleigh’s Fayetteville St, public spaces, clubs and stages will be filled with art, music, dance, film, fashion, design, proposals, video games, and more.

Celebrating local cultural richness and empowering action through an open-source approach to collaboration and cross-pollination, SPARKcon is not a funded city program or an economic development stunt. It’s completely grassroots and by the people for the people! Join us as we explore the creative spirit of the Triangle!

For further information contact:
Megan Wood
mwood@themis-media.com
919-806-4209
###

SPARKcon’s hosting one last meeting tomorrow night at Designbox at 6pm.

Any last minute concerns or questions you may have, this is the opportunity to voice them!

See you then.

First Friday kicks off tonight all around beautiful downtown Raleigh, and as far as I know all the galleries are doing their regular thing tonight in spite of the weather. I’ll be at Flanders Gallery @ Seaboard (6pm) DJing for the opening of a very cool show ( http://www.flandersartgallery.com/). After that you have tough choices. I’ll be spinning an 80s dance set upstairs at Riviera (Loft 135), DJ Castro is at The Globe (510 S. Glenwood), and Chuck Love is at Mosaic. I do believe that Mosaic has the angle on that one.

However, tomorrow night, September 6, is Neu Romance’s second annual “Disco Inferno” – A Fundraiser for SparkCon. This year the disco ball at Alibi is the perfect setting for Castro, Mark T., Drew Diggle, and myself (Madcow) to drop the best of 70s and 80s funk, soul, and disco hits AND obscurities. For those of you in the know expect lots from SalSoul and West End records! Admission is only five bucks (it will be the best dance party in town that night), and all proceeds go towards paying off Stacy Kidd (stacykidd) for the Sept. 20 Solas show. By the way Solas is free before 10pm and has a dress code. Check out their website for more info on that (http://solasraleigh.com/). Also Saturday’s “Disco Inferno” is conveniently located in a former bomb shelter that can withstand a category five hurricane (or a nuclear assualt), and with the help of a generator and a fully stocked bar that party will happen no matter what. Be prepared to sweat!

Friday 9/5 – DJ Madcow @ Flanders Gallery
18 Seaboard location / 6pm

-DJ Castro @ Alibi Bar
14 West Martin St. / 10pm

-Chuck Love @ Mosaic (Critic’s Pick!) / 10pm
517 W. Jones St. (http://www.mosaicwinelounge.com/)
Admission $5

-DJ Madcow @ Riviera’s Loft 135 / 10:30pm
135 S. Wilmington St

Saturday 9/6 – DJs Madcow, Castro, Mark T., and Drew Diggle
Second Annual Disco Inferno – A Fundraiser for SparkCon
14 West Martin St. / 9pm Admission $5
(This show is hurricane proof)

New Raleigh article

Be sure and get your ticket tonight at Designbox during our First Friday showing of Jim West’s photograpghy! Stunning enlargements of landscapes of architecture  in Spain.

Visit the fashionSPARK page to view the designers!

Tough Love, 3114 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, 919.833.0073.
www.toughloveboutique.com
Featuring: Domino, The DRC Clothing Co.

Revolver, 124 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, 919.834.3053
www.revolverconsignmentboutique.blogspot.com
Featuring: Revamp, FYSH, lllavender

Beanie + Cecil, 412 Daniels Street, Raleigh, 919.821.5455
www.beanieandcecil.com
Featuring: Marie Cordella, Justin D. LeBlanc

Fleur, 419 Daniels Street, Raleigh, 919.828.0602
www.fleur-boutique.com
Featuring: Stacie Horton, Susannah Cox

Don’t forget to come by Designbox on First Friday tomorrow and purchase your ticket to the fashion brunch this Sunday Sep 7, 12noon at Poole’s Diner.

Immediate Theatre performs at Loft 135
Friday, September 19 * 6:30-7:15

Immediate Theatre is a collective of Triangle based dance artists, designers and musicians, gathered together to create spontaneous, improvised works of dance/theatre/live performance.  You never know what will happen, as each member of the collective takes the unknown and shapes it on the spot.  Performers include: artistic director Katherine Ferrier (dance, spoken word), Christina Tsoules Soriano (dance), Carson Efird (dance), KenRay Wilemon (percussion/soundscapes) and Veda Renfrow (stage and lighting design).

Come on down, grab a beer and experience some cutting edge performance before heading over to the Fashion Show!

Be sure to spread the word and join in!