SparkCon Planning Site

MusicSPARK preliminary lineup

50 bands – 14 venues! The biggest MusicSPARK ever! Congrats Mary, Ann Marie, and the whole team!

See attached PRELIMINARY schedule. Please DO NOT distribute. This may still change quite a bit.

musicspark 09 lineup venues

FashionSPARK Designer Lineup Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FashionSPARK Designer Lineup Announced

RALEIGH (August 31, 2009) Fifteen local designers and body artists will show off their latest designs on Sept. 18 for the fourth annual FashionSPARK event. The list includes local favorites and some exciting new faces. Building on the theme of “Wear What You Are,” local talent will take the runway on Fayetteville Street for what promises to be the biggest and best FashionSPARK yet.

Reinforcing the collaborative spirit of SPARKcon, FashionSPARK will call upon some of the area’s most talented hair stylists and makeup artists from salons such as Marigold Parlour, Alter Ego, Salon Blu, Atomic and J&F Gemelli. Designers are also working closely with MusicSPARK producers to secure music from local recording artists for the show, which will begin at 8 pm.

The featured designers are:

Ahpeele (www.ahpeele.bigcartel.com)
Andrea Schmidt
Blue Flame Piercing (www.blueflametattoo.com)
Carolina Wang (www.carolina-wang.com)
Domino (www.jdomino.com)
DRC Clothing (www.drc144k.com)
FYSH Clothing (www.fyshclothing.com)
Goods (www.forthegoods.com)
Katelyn Wells (www.katelynawells.com) with hair accessories by Susan Phelps
LLLavender (www.lllavender.com)
Marie Cordella (www.mariecordella.com)
Metallic Spiral (www.metallicspiral.com)
Raleigh Denim (www.raleighdenim.com)
Revamp (www.avcc-inc.com) with accessories by Good Girls Studio (www.goodgirlsstudio.com)
Tyger Alexis (www.myspace.com/tygeralexis)

FashionSPARK is produced by Allison Beale, with support from Isaac Panzarella, production manager, Jessie Clough, salon coordinator, Angel Feimster-Montoya, talent coordinator, Andi Shelton, ShopSPARK organizer and Jennifer Powell, media coordinator.

About SPARKcon:
SPARKcon showcases local creative talent in the NC Triangle. For four days, Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street, public spaces, clubs and stages will be filled with art, music, dance, film, fashion, design, proposals, 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:
Allison L. Beale
allison at sparkcon dot com
919-755-3625
###

Tags: announcement

IdeaSPARK lineup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IdeaSPARK to Highlight the Community’s Best Ideas in Fast-Paced Kickoff Event

RALEIGH (August, 27, 2009) The organizers of SPARKcon have announced their IdeaSPARK lineup for SPARKcon 2009. IdeaSPARK will have a kickoff presentation at 7 p.m. on September 17 at the Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh. The event will also include a dozen IdeaSPARK 20/20 presentations. Participants will have 20 slides (with just 20 seconds per slide!) to present their best ideas for what the Triangle needs to do next.

Building off a keynote presentation from Henry Copeland, each member of the selected group will have less than seven minutes to present their vision for improving the local community. Following is the list of presentations for IdeaSPARK. An abstract and image of each can be found on the SPARKcon site.

Henry Copeland, “Outside is the New Inside”

Aly Khalifa, “Introduction to SPARKcon 2009”

Wayne Sutton, “19 Reasons Why the Triangle is Better than Silicon Valley”

Atrayus Goode, “From Average to Excellent”

Becky Shankle, “Why 9 to 5 is Inhumane”

Pete Farquhar, “Self-Help Helps Your Money Help Others”

Robin Koch, “Oak City Time Trade”

Beth Yerxa, “Triangle Art/Works:  Making Arts Work in the Triangle”

Alan Happ, “Talk About Healthy Humor and Laughter”

Victor Lytvinenko, “Raleigh Denim – Design/Manufacture Business Model”

Dan Douglas, “Big Ideas, Climate Change and the Creative Economy – The Future of Downtown Raleigh”

Dave Winick, “How Much Does Free Transportation Cost?”

IdeaSPARK will be hosted by Scott Gaston. Scott is, among other things, a stand up comic, a motion designer, a NCSU Design School grad, a Durham worker, a Raleigh resident and a lover of Harris Teeter weekly specials.

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, 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!

Contact information:

Aly Khalifa

919-834-3552 x201

aly@sparkcon.com

Indy photographer visiting meetings tomorrow

Just a heads up: Derek Anderson would like to cover the SPARKcon planning process, and so will likely drop in on the following meetings tomorrow:

IdeaSPARK press release on Keynote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (download pdf of press release here)
Henry Copeland, Adblogs Founder, is IdeaSPARK Keynote Speaker for SPARKcon

RALEIGH (August, 24, 2009) The organizers of SPARKcon have announced that Henry Copeland will be the IdeaSPARK keynote speaker for SPARKcon 2009. IdeaSPARK will have a kickoff presentation at 7 pmon September 17 at the Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh. The event will also include a dozenIdeaSPARK 20/20 presentations. Various members of the community will have 20 slides and 20 seconds per slide to present their best ideas for what the Triangle needs to do next.

Copeland will lead the effort by talking about the new ways cultural and intellectual communities are organizing themselves. About how new hubs of creativity are self-generating beyond the borders of meccas like New York City, Paris and Amsterdam. And about how the principle that “outside is the new inside” is empowered by knowledge-communing tools like Twitter, Facebook and Digg. All this to create a new environment – free of geographical limitations – in what is rapidly becoming a global community knit together from minds, not places.

Henry has spent the better part of the millennium finding new and better ways to connect the blogosphere with advertisers. In 2002, he created Blogads, uniting America’s social media pioneers with advertising dollars spent by a “joyful stew” of entities running the gamut from large corporations to small-scale garage start-ups. Today Blogads represents blog giants like PerezHilton and DailyKos as well as thousands of smaller niche blogs.

A graduate of Yale University, Henry has worked on Wall Street and spent time as a journalist in Eastern Europe before creating Blogads. He sits on the advisory board for SXSW 2010 and on the advisory board of George Washington University’s Institute for Politics, Democracy & the Internet. In addition to being one of Gawker’s New Dorks of All Media, he was also voted “most argumentative” in the Wooster High class of ‘80.

About SPARKcon:
SPARKcon celebrates creativity in the NC Triangle. For 4 days, Raleigh’s Fayetteville St, public spaces, clubs and stages will be filled with art, music, dance, film, fashion, design and more. Showcasing local cultural richness 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 grass-roots and by the people for the people! Join us as we explore the creative spirit of the Triangle!

Contact information:
Aly Khalifa
919-834-3552 x201
aly at sparkcon dot com

MusicSPARK update

First, I wanted to say that if there are any of you on this list that haven’t found a chance to help out but still want to, it is NOT too late! I need someone to help me type up several things/email some people/do a little easy legwork, and don’t want to burden the same people over and over again. Email me if you want to help out!

The quick update: at the last meeting we determined that we’re putting late-comers on the secondary stage. We also moved around a couple of bands that had conflicts and finished rounding out our main stage participants.

We’re been working between then and now to contact venues and finally pin everything down. The status report will take place at tomorrow’s meeting (6pm, Humble Pie).

Otherwise, Dani Nation has offered to help us out with some press releases for musicSPARK, so a big thanks to her!

At tomorrow’s meeting I want to discuss talent releases, finishing up the venue talks, busking and whatever you guys thinks needs some attention.

See you then, and GREAT job so far!

Mary

SPARK EVENT INFO: gamingSPARK

LOCALLY CREATED VIDEO GAMES

September 18th and September 19th

Starts September 18th at 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and continues the following day at 1:00 pm until the end of the Gears of War 2 Tournament.

Located at the Urban Design Center

133 Fayetteville St Mall, Suite 100 (on the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett St)

LOCALLY CREATED VIDEO GAMES

Showcases videogames developed locally which were submitted by the creators themselves. This event will feature games in the following categories: Casual Games, Simulation/Serious Games, Mobile Games, and Student Games.

We are  accepting submissions for games to be featured in this event until 8/28/09. If you are interested in featuring a game that you worked on in any portion of the development process, please go to http://www.sparkcon.com/sparks/gamingspark/ to fill out the application.

“GEARS OF WAR 2 TOURNAMENT”

September 19th

Starts September 19th at 1:00 pm and goes until we have our final winners!

Located at the Urban Design Center

133 Fayetteville St Mall, Suite 100 (on the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett St)

GEARS OF WAR 2 TOURNAMENT

Commences at 1:00 pm and brings a locally created game to the masses in a style of  tournament that allows maximum participation. The players will try to rack up the most points possible in the allotted time frame. The Gears of War 2 Tournament is open to anyone who wishes to participate with the exception of those who have actually worked on the creation of the game itself. All entries in the tournament will have the chance to win prizes. Integrated Audio Video @ Southpoint is donating a 37 inch flat screen TV to go to one of the participants. Participants will have additional opportunities to win other prizes to be named at a later date, donated by The Escapist.

Sponsored by:

The Escapist, Triangle Game Initiative, GameFrog, Integrated Audio Video @ Southpoint

Main Contact:

Megan Wood

Team:

Christy White, Troy Knight, Meghan Murphy, Steve Greene, and Garrett French

Tags: event info, GamingSPARK

ArtSPARK and Pods

Hi Everyone,

We are ready to go!

I’m sure there are lots of questions.

As you know, you will be able to work on your POD installations at Carolina Portable Storage, 8701 Fleet Service Drive Raleigh, NC

The location is not far from 540 and US 70, near Westgate Road. I am hoping that you can begin this weekend.

There are wooden walls, and wooden studs. You can nail, screw, staple, WITHIN REASON. These PODS have to be put back into service when the PODS project is done.

When the PODS are transferred to Fayetteville Street, they will be moved very carefully, keeping the unit stable and level. Very delicate things probably should be installed at the final location. But a lot of the work can be done on site at the PODS location. Unfortunately, things might get a little hot out there in the Carolina PODS parking lot, so I apologize for this. I will email you a follow up letter regarding hours that the PODS site is open.

Just a little info about artSpark and SparkCon. Mostly this is a grass roots volunteer arts organization, mostly run by people like me, who want to see exciting programming in the arts community. So be patient when things seem a little chaotic! I am also proposing that we meet at least once as a team. How about this Sunday afternoon in Raleigh at my studio? I’ll supply the beer. Let me know who is available.

Best, Nancy 919-656-8012

greenSPARK planning notes

“firestarter” initiatives to make SPARKcon a greener event

Members:

• Matt Tendam (mtendam77@gmail.com)
• Todd Delk (Todd.Delk@kimley-horn.com)
• Ryan Cummings (rcdec@earthlink.net)
• Michael Gilchrist (mrg123@earthlink.net)

The greenSPARK team has been working since our kick-off meeting on 7/2/09 to put the following ideas into motion, with the appropriate event tie-in and contact person in parentheses:

·Recycling stations (eventwide – Matt Tendam)

We are acquiring bins/cans/etc. to provide 4-6 recycling stations around the Fayetteville Street event venue, including a composting bin for food waste near the tastySPARK and bazaarSPARK locations. VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED DURING THE EVENT. volunteers will be needed to ensure that waste is properly separated and non compostable items are not collected in the compost bins. A brief training session prior to the event will be necessary as well. City of Raleigh will provide recycling bins and collection services. McGill Environmental Services will collect and process compostable materials. McGill has offered to waive their processing fee of $20/ton given some advertisement will be available. We are still working on procuring a large roll off container for mass collection of compostable materials.

·Printing and brochures (eventwide – Matt Tendam)

We hope to help Bobbleheads with using post-consumer/sustainable forests paper and eco-friendly inks for any event media. We are looking for in-kind donations of these products. I need a deadline as to when these materials will be needed.

·Reusable water bottles (eventwide, tastySPARK – Todd Delk)

We want to have reusable water bottles for sale (price or suggested donation) and 4-6 water-filling stations at event in lieu of sale of bottled water. We are searching for sponsor that can contribute/donate/front ordering 300-500 water bottles with SPARKcon and sponsor logo. This feature needs to be advertised as available at event and for participants can buy bottle or bring your favorite from home

·Water filling stations (eventwide, tastySPARK – Todd Delk)

We organizing to have 4-6 water stations around event using 2 large water coolers per station with ice and tap water. We are investigating a water cooler sponsor like LeBleu as option as well. VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED TO HELP KEEP STATIONS FILLED and we are looking for in-kind ice sponsor.

·Alternative transportation (eventwide – Todd Delk)

• Bike Valet – Efforts to secure bike racks has transitioned to approaching parking deck to provide space for a “bike valet” area (VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF WILL BE NEEDED)
• spokeSPARK (online submission) – Commenter suggested we create display space and have camera set-up to display photo collage of area’s fashionable bicycle and cyclists.
• Transit – We are looking for promotions with and highlighting getting to/from SPARKcon via CAT, TTA and R-Line
• Some kind of tie-in with Raleigh Rickshaw, Segway Store

·Reusable shopping bags (bazaarSPARK – Michael Gilchrist) – We are looking for in-kind donation of reusable shopping bags to support vendors at event.

·Relay for Light/Stationary Bike Power Generator(s) (healthSPARK?, groundSPARK?, artSPARK?, main stage? – Todd Delk)

We hope to SOMEHOW acquire/build stationary bike generator(s) to provide power as carbon offset for event. Discussion of single bike possibilities include powering the message board, tent lights, lights for artSPARK pod; multiple bike possibilities (maybe for next year) include night lighting for groundSPARK artists based on people signing up for shifts.

* NC Green Power Raffle (Ryan Cummings)

A raffle will be held with proceeds from the ticket sales being given to NC Green Power to fund their alternative energy projects. We are still trying to procure prizes but initial efforts have been made to find a bike made of recycled parts as the main prize. We are looking for other in-kind donations of eco-friendly products and services to raffle off.

·Other ideas tossed around: eco-friendly make-up for fashionSPARK, bio-diesel generators for main stage, cooperative farming highlighted at bazaarSPARK

Event Info for www.sparkcon.com

Below is the information needed for us to be able to update the public SPARKcon site with your events. It is duplicated in the sheet you should have received at the General Mtg this past monday.

Please post the information here at plan.sparkcon.com and email it to dave@visualartexchange.org

For organizational reasons please title your posts
xxxSPARK EVENT INFO: then event title here

*NOTE If you are doing multiple events, please give separate info for each event.

TITLE OF EVENT
not the spark name…should be the actual event name (like “Street Painting Festival”)

DATE(s) OF EVENT

STARTING AND END TIMES OF EVENT

LOCATION OF EVENT

EVENT DESCRIPTION
Paragraph or two about what will happen for the event.
Each event will have it’s own page, so you can explain the whole event as you wish.

SPONSORS

MANAGEMENT/PRODUCTION CREDITS

TALENT CREDITS
• individual/group/brand names of the talent showcasing their work
• how they are participating if appropriate (example, in fashionSPARK, there will be designers, hair and makeup stylists – let us know who is doing what)
• short bio of talent or production if appropriate

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR EVENT INFO—as complete as possible— by FRIDAY AUG 14th

If you prefer to download a word doc with the above info to fill in… DOWNLOAD HERE