SPARKcon Begins Today
This fifth annual SPARKcon event begins tomorrow and ends Sunday. SPARKcon the Triangle’s showcase of creativity, talent, and ideas. This year the event showcases events in (a whopping) 16 main categories, including:
- for KIDS!
- artSPARK
- musicSPARK
- bazaarSPARK
- filmSPARK
- circusSPARK
- tastySPARK
- cyberSPARK
- ideaSPARK
- fashionSPARK
- poetrySPARK
- graffitiSPARK
- danceSPARK
- designSPARK
- theatreSPARK
- fireSTARTERS
The festival has an iPhone app and has excellent event summary pages that are connected to Google Calendar events. However neither of these quite fit my needs, so I created a master event list for the entire weekend. I’ve found it’s easier to just subscribe to the master event list and run off of it and a companion map of the area included than to hassle with the walled gardens of an app.
You can follow all 150+ events by subscribing to gogoraleigh’s SPARKcon calendar at Google Calendar . (Those subscribed to the gogoraleigh Hopscotch calendar are automatically subscribed – just check your calendar for all of the events.) See an event you like? Add it to your own calendar. Unsure about an event? Open up the calendar’s event, and see its link to SPARKcon’s event page, see a map to the venue, or see the overall SPARKcon map (which I highly recommend keeping in your mobile device’s photo gallery. You can even enable an alert for each act if you want.
While people flock to the event and enjoy many of the offerings, the Friday night fashion show is the big event of the weekend. The hour-long show begins at 8pm and features fashion from local designers. Be sure to check out the impressive and always-fresh offerings by Mollybeads at the show!
While SPARKcon has a very good website, to me it is easier to just follow the links to the elements pertinent to mobile devices:
- Complete Event Calendar (gogoraleigh)
- SPARKcon Area map
- Events by day
- Events by location
- Events by SPARK theme s
- @sparkconner on Twitter
- ideaSPARK on “The State of Things”
- Bob Geary’s article in The Independent Weekly
- Craig Jarvis’ article in The News & Observer
- The Raleigh Downtowner’s SPARKcon spread (not for mobile)
Google Calendar | XML | ICAL | |
SPARKcon Calendar |
Let’s go Do It!!
NCT’s “Annie” Featured on TODAY Show
NBC’s TODAY Show did an entertaining feature with Andrea McArdle , the replacement for original star of “Annie” on Broadway. Thirty years later, McArdle returns to “Annie” as mean Miss Hannigan in the NC Theatre production. “Annie” is currently playing at Memorial Auditorium thru Sunday.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy
Death and the Maiden Begins Wednesday
Death and the Maiden , a chilling moral thriller by Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman, begins on Wednesday and runs for a week-and-a-half. The story follows Paulina, a woman who was once a political activist against the fascist party. She is convinced a guest in her home is the man who once tortured her for the government. Directed by Hot Summer Nights’ Associate Artistic Director/Co-Producer, Adam Twiss, Death and the Maiden is one show that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
General Admission
- Adult $22.00
- Student (ID required) $18.00
- Senior (65+) $18.00
- Military (ID required) $18.00
Slew of Tickets Goes on Sale in Next Two Days
Ticketmaster’s weekly heads up for new ticket sales is far more interesting than normal today. Here is the rundown:
On Sale Friday
- Natalie Merchant (DPAC, 8/30)
- Heart (The Walt, 8/14)
- Lyle Lovett (DPAC, 8/18)
- Ar Rahman (RBC, 6/11)
On Sale Saturday
- Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato (Walnut Creek, 10/16)
- Clay Aiken, Lauren Kennedy, Terrence Mann, & More (Memorial, 6/21)
- Zac Brown (Walnut Creek, 8/11)
Burning Coal Returns With “Oakwood: Generations”
Burning Coal will return this May to Oakwood Cemetery for the next in their cycle of original historical plays. This year’s new script, Oakwood: Generations by Ian Finley will share stories of parents and children through Raleigh’s history, including outspoken columnist Nell Battle Lewis, gregarious politico Thaddeus Eure, and legendary jurist Samuel Fox Mordecai. Enjoy poignant and humorous stories about what it means to be a family.
The performances will take place at Oakwood Cemetery (701 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh) on May 14 th & 15 th at 6:30pm and May 16 th at 2:00pm. Tickets for the event are $20 or $10 for students and may be obtained by calling 919.834.4001 or visiting the Burning Coal website.
Rescheduled “Visual Acoustics” Showing Tonight
The Nowell’s Architecture Movie Series continues tonight. “Visual Acoustics” will show at the Galaxy Theater in Cary tonight at 7pm. Tickets are $9 per person.
Narrated by Dustin Hoffman, “Visual Acoustics” celebrates the life and career of Julius Shulman , the world’s greatest architectural photographer, whose images brought modern architecture to the American mainstream. Shulman, who passed away recently, captured the work of nearly every modern and progressive architect since the 1930s including Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, John Lautner, and Frank Gehry. His images epitomized the singular beauty of Southern California’s modernist movement and brought its iconic structures to the attention of the general public. This unique film is both a testament to the evolution of modern architecture and a joyful portrait of the magnetic, whip-smart gentleman who chronicled it with his unforgettable images. Have a night out with an exceptional architectural movie!
Rescheduled from December (tickets purchased online last year will be honored).
NC Theatre Bringing Broadway Home
North Carolina Theatre is thrilled to announce “Bringing Broadway Home”, a benefit concert on Monday, June 21st at 8 PM in Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium. The one-night-only event will celebrate 27 seasons of Broadway at North Carolina Theatre and stars Clay Aiken, Lauren Kennedy, Sharon Lawrence, Terrence Mann, and Quiana Parler.
Clay Aiken is a multi-platinum recording artist and is set to release his sixth album, Tried and True , this summer. Since his meteoric rise to fame on the hit TV show American Idol in 2003, Aiken has launched eight tours, authored a New York Times best-selling book called Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life , starred on Broadway in Monty Python’s Spamalot , and has guest starring roles in TV’s Scrubs, 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live . Before all of these accomplishments and more, Aiken performed on the North Carolina Theatre stage in Shenandoah and 1776 in 1996.
Lauren Kennedy has numerous Broadway credits to her name since she moved to New York from Raleigh, her hometown. She starred as Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot , appeared in Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close, and received acclaim as Fantine in the final year of Les Miserables . Kennedy has dazzled audiences in a number of NC Theatre productions, most recently starring alongside Country music singer Larry Gatlin in Annie Get Your Gun .
Sharon Lawrence is a four-time Emmy nominated actress and is known for many roles on the hit TV shows NYPD Blue, Desperate Housewives, Monk, Law & Order: SVU, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Grey’s Anatomy . In addition to film and Broadway work, Lawrence has performed a myriad of roles on the NC Theatre stage and starred alongside Terrence Mann in the theatre’s first production, Camelot , in 1984.
Terrence Mann currently stars on Broadway in The Addams Family . He made his Broadway debut in 1982 in the Tony Award-winning musical, Barnum , and has been a fixture on the Great White Way ever since. In 1987, his portrayal of Javert in Les Miserables earned him his first Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, which he reprised years later. He originated the role of the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast , earning another Tony nomination. Other Broadway credits include Rags, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Getting Away with Murder, The Rocky Horror Show . Mann served as an actor, artistic director and director for many NC Theatre productions throughout the years.
Quiana Parler has shared the stage with an array of national artists, from Keith Sweat to Clay Aiken; Miranda Lambert to Kelly Clarkson. Her performances have been seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, The View, The Tyra Banks Show, Good Morning America, The Academy of Country Music Awards and Saturday Night Live . Additionally, her vocal talents have been sought out by recording industry leaders such as David Novik, Walter Afanasieff and David Foster. Her debut in 2008, as Effie, in NC Theatre’s Dreamgirls became one of the most talked about performances of NC Theatre’s 27 year history.
Tickets
Ticket prices range from $50 to $100 with a VIP option of $150 that includes an exclusive, one hour pre-show reception and complimentary parking.
- Week of April 12th: On sale to NC Theatre subscribers only
- Week of April 19th: All tickets open to the general public
To purchase, call the NC Theatre Box Office at 919-831-6941 x6943 OR x6944.
N.C. Museum of Art Announces Outdoor Entertainment Series
The North Carolina Museum of Art today announced their concert and film season for the upcoming summer. All events take place at the museum’s outdoor amphitheater.
4/12 Update: Now with Google goodness! Click on the Google Calendar button beside each event to add it to your Google Calendar. Another option is to click the “Calendars” tab at the top of the page and subscribe to the gogoraleigh DoIt Calendar.
CONCERTS
MOVIES
Slew of Musicals Coming to DPAC
The Durham Performing Arts Center this week announced the addition of seven touring musicals to their lineup.
-
Billy Elliot The Musical: November 2-14, 2010
-The National Tour Debut. Winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Music by Elton John.
-
The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein: December 7-12, 2010
– “Best Musical 2008 Winner.”– Outer Critic Circle Award & Broadway.com Audience Award
-
Disney’s The Lion King: January 4-30, 2011
– Tony® Award -winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls “a landmark event in entertainment.”
-
In The Heights: February 22-27, 2011
– Winner of 4 Tony® Awards Including Best Musical!
-
Blue Man Group: March 15-20, 2011
– First ever theatrical tour promises an entirely new visual experience.
-
Shrek The Musical: April 5-10, 2011
– Based on the Oscar®-Winning DreamWorks Film that Started it All.
-
Hair: May 10-15, 2011
– “The Ultimate American Rock Musical!”–
Ben Brantley, The New York Times
Theatre In The Park Hosting Oscar Gala
In honor of tonight’s Oscars, Theatre In The Park is hosting a big Oscar Night Gala . The Master of Ceremonies will be Larry Stogner and the Host will be Ira David Wood III. Tickets are $50, ($100 for VIP)
-
Red carpet arrival with paparazzi photo.
-
Catered buffet dinner provided by The Angus Barn.
-
Open bar provided by Mutual Distributing Company and Carolina Brewing Company.
-
Watch the Academy Awards on one of Raleigh’s biggest screens.
-
Take home a copy of the official Oscar Night program.
-
Participate in a silent auction that includes a number of rarely available autographed Hollywood, Broadway and Sports items.
-
Dress for the red carpet or come as your favorite movie star. Black Tie Optional.
-
All proceeds benefit the theatre’s community arts and education programs.
Silent Auction Items Include:
-
Twilight Saga: New Moon Poster autographed by Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner
- Shoes worn to 2009 Academy Award by Evan Rachel Wood
- Broadway Show Poster from Rent autographed by the cast
- Carolina Panthers Football autographed by Julius Peppers
- Mary Tyler Moore show script from "Chuckles Bites The Dust" autographed by Mary Tyler Moore
- Dan Aykroyd autographed photo and autographed bottle of Crystal Head Vodka
- Night at The Umstead Hotel
- Night at Fearrington House
- Estate Collection Jewelry from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry
- "Wall of Wine" containing over 15 bottles of wine
- A Christmas Carol Package including 4 premium tickets to show, backstage tour, autographed photo of Scrooge and more
- NYC getaway with tickets to Broadway show, Chicago, tickets for tour of the William Ivey Long Studios, and gift certificate to Shoolbred’s (William Ivey Long’s bar)
-
Celebrities from “The Full Monty” are expected to attend.
Hot Summer Nights Announces 2010 Season, Auditions
Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy Announces Their 2010 Season and Auditions. The 2010 Season will include:
- Barefoot in the Park (June 9-20)
- The Great American Trailer Park Musical (June 30-July 18)
- Death of a Maiden (July 28-Aug 8 )
- Tell Me on a Sunday (August 18-Sept 5)
Auditions are being held for the first three shows of the season. To be considered for any show, all those auditioning must be available for both production and rehearsals dates (which run two weeks prior to each show’s opening). No conflicts allowed.
Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, March 6th from 12PM-6PM at the Kennedy Theatre in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. Those interested in auditioning will be given a total of five minutes and should prepare either two contrasting monologues or a monologue and song. Accompanist will be provided. To schedule an appointment please call Tiffany at 919-770-5892 (between 1PM-7PM ONLY). For more information about Hot Summer Nights, visit www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org
Wood To Marry Manson?
Reports out of Hollywood
this morning are that Raleigh native Evan Rachael Wood is now engaged to Marilyn Manson after his on-stage proposal in Paris last night. The couple has been on and off for the last 4 or so years, and during that period his relationship with Evan’s family has been very nice.
During one of those “on” periods, in fact, Manson was here and made an hilarious cameo appearance in Theatre In The Park’s “A Christmas Carol
.
Wood’s stepmother has the most incredible photo I’ve ever seen. It features Manson and Evan, along with her father and stepmother, in front of Cinderella’s Castle. The photo could easily hang in an art gallery, as the the incredible juxtaposition of such different people, placed in that environment, is rarely seen in real life.
If reports are true, then congratulations to Wood and her family!
Nickelodeon Storytime Coming to Memorial Auditorium
Broadway Series South is bringing Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live tour to Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium. There will be shows at 11, 2, and 5 on both May 15 and 16. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
While this show will be very entertaining for children, I doubt it will be worthy of “amazing” ( banamazing.com )
Recent Stories
- North Carolina Loses The Great Teacher February 9, 2015
- City Lays Markings for Currituck Obstacle Course February 4, 2015
- History Making Heels and Wolfpack Prepare for Battle January 14, 2015
- 25 Predictions for 2015 January 5, 2015
- Raleigh’s 10 Biggest Stories of 2014 January 2, 2015
- 2014: The Rain Year January 2, 2015
- Tupelo Honey Sets New Casual Standard December 1, 2014
- 2013 Predictions. A Look Back November 18, 2014
- Wicked Taco Bringing Fresh-Mex to Western Blvd November 17, 2014
- DOT Unveils I-440 Widening Plans November 12, 2014
- County Power Shift Brings Major Changes to Raleigh’s Future November 5, 2014
- Jarrett Bay Store Coming to Crabtree September 25, 2014
- FirstWatch Coming to Glenwood Avenue September 9, 2014
- Big Shindig Releases Set Times September 5, 2014
- Appearance Commission to Review Residence Inn September 3, 2014