A while back the idea of a kids typhoon scavenger hunt was being tossed around designbox, and it definitely seemed like Marbles could support such an endeavor. Deidre has been working with the Museum of Natural Sciences for their BugFest celebration that is happening on the same day as SPARKcon. She has committed to staff the event with arts and crafts instructors and materials for the kids in attendance. Since SPARKcon has linked up with BugFest and vice versa, then we already some activities in place.

In an effort to host something at SPARKcon ground zero, Greg offered the idea of using Marbles in some way that will increase traffic, and give kids and their parents a way to better get involved in the festival. Deidre took the scavenger hunt idea and offered it as an indoor activity within Marbles that could jump out into Moore Square. She also offered up some Marbles merch for prizes! Everyone loves a new t-shirt

Deidre is checking into see what the IMAX schedule is for September. Perhaps their will be a cool creative documentary that we can endorse and even offer as part of the Theoretical SPARKpass that is in the works.

Greg will be getting in touch with Juan Matta of the Raleigh Typhoon to see if he would be able to offer his assistance in coordinating some activities with Marbles.

This shifts our earlier focus from Fayetteville Street (so that we could better connect with BugFest), but given the RCC’s generous offer and the permitting issues of that street and its repeated closure the two prior weekends, it will probably be a more popular choice with the local businesses. We will try to have the Raleigh Rickshaws and other transportation solutions to connect us with Bugfest.

We realize yogaSPARK was very excited about using the Capitol grounds, but we plan to find an equally shaded and attractive location at Moore Square. Lea- please meet with Greg to find the best spot in Moore Square for your group. It will be nice to see this connect better with the meditation space at Longview.

GroundSPARK will maintain its location on Martin Street, and we will also be better positioned to have Marbles do some youthSPARK programming.

We will have Marbles to house the models and stylists for fashionSPARK which will be a nice logistical solution to maitain this year. Also we will have the courtyard at Marbles to use Friday night – possibly a nice location for Salsa dancing before the fashion show?  Allison – thoughts on how to do this without interfering with the fashion show prep?

Greg will soon update the SparkCon map to give clear indication on the when/where of each component.

Overall, we’re excited to have this donation come through from the RCC in a tough year, and we’ll be on what is now our home court advantage. We’ll begin to look at City Plaza and Fayetteville Street next year when its construction is complete.

I invited Jessie Clough, a hair stylist and co-owner of Marigold Parlour to come along and offer her ideas on how to link up with other local stylists and get them working together with fashionSPARK designers. The mission is to showcase hair as fashion and have it compliment the designs presented. Allison and Jessie will be working closely together on developing a ‘call for stylists/salons’ and then pairing them with individual designers as early as possible. Everyone is excited about the possibilities!

Allison and Isaac Panzarella are also working very hard to establish a schedule and set timeline of events leading up to SPARKcon. fashionSPARK will be offering a brunch at Poole’s for all fashionSPARK designers and sponsors to co-mingle. This will be a great opportunity to get some press and begin to generate a buzz about the show. Allison is also tossing around the idea of hosting a “kick off” party that would showcase last years designs and further generate interest in SPARKcon and really start things off with a bang.

We discussed the idea of changing venues this year as well. Presently there is a push for hosting SPARKcon on Fayetteville St. The proposed site would be the two blocks of Fayetteville St. between Morgan and Martin. An idea was to set up the stage for fashionSPARK at the corner of Martin and Fayetteville. However the time and energy needed to set up the stage/lights/screen etc. is massive, and we are just not sure if it could work. Moore Square has treated SPARKcon very well in the past and this a certain aesthetic and energy to that space, and moving may not be in the cards. More thoughts?

Overall the logistics for fashionSPARK are well underway, and it is great having Allison and Isaac’s energy and talent to support it!