Multiform festival sparks varied entries
Spark Con features region's creativity
By: Kevin Turner, Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Arts
At the second annual Spark Con in Raleigh, visitors will have the chance to watch opera, see the latest fashions and eat their chili, too.
Spark Con is composed of 12 "sparks," or different creative outlets, including a music spark, film spark and chili cook-off spark.
Spark Con was born when a group of Triangle residents brainstormed ideas to promote the entire creative culture of their region.
"Around this area you see independent music scenes forming, you see independent businesses thriving, you see independent art scenes going on," said Lynnea Villanova, co-organizer of Music Spark.
"What this conference wants to do is sort of ignite this area and make it known as the creative hub of the South."
Music Spark is just one of the many festivals under the Spark Con creative conference umbrella, which is the governing body of this weekend's festivities.
However, Chico Scott, co-organizer of Music Spark, stresses that he "didn't want Music Spark to be just an indie-rock showcase," but instead he wanted to create a festival celebrating all the diverse and unique musical talents from the Triangle area.
The festival, which began Thursday and runs through Sunday, will primarily feature local bands from the Triangle.
"This area has been really well-known for music for many years, going back to the original blues stuff and the indie-rock stuff of the '90s," Villanova said. "We're not inviting groups from outside the area because we don't need to - we've got so many great people around here."
Performances scheduled for this weekend's festival include such varied acts as The N.C. Symphony, hip-hop groups Fanu and Camp Lo and house music from DJ Sleazy McQueen.
But the conference isn't just about music.
There has been a push this year for different sparks to collaborate and jointly present events. On Saturday night, Music Spark will join forces with Film Spark and present local filmmakers' work scored by live experimental music.
And anyone interested in starting any kind of spark is encouraged to do so during the initial planning phases of the conference.
"Whoever decides to pick up the handful of that spark organizes it and makes it happen," said Villanova, who is a volunteer along with Scott.
Villanova, a local physician and acupuncturist, and Scott, a Raleigh restaurant and bar manager, have been planning the event since April.
Organizers say the festival can be used as a tool for those new to the area, especially students who want to get connected to their new home.
"If they are from out of town, this is a chance for them to be more integrated with their environment, not just passing through, not just from a transient perspective," Scott said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
ATTEND THE FESTIVAL
When: Today through Sunday
Where: Downtown Raleigh
Info: www.sparkcon.com/musicspark.html
Spark Con is composed of 12 "sparks," or different creative outlets, including a music spark, film spark and chili cook-off spark.
Spark Con was born when a group of Triangle residents brainstormed ideas to promote the entire creative culture of their region.
"Around this area you see independent music scenes forming, you see independent businesses thriving, you see independent art scenes going on," said Lynnea Villanova, co-organizer of Music Spark.
"What this conference wants to do is sort of ignite this area and make it known as the creative hub of the South."
Music Spark is just one of the many festivals under the Spark Con creative conference umbrella, which is the governing body of this weekend's festivities.
However, Chico Scott, co-organizer of Music Spark, stresses that he "didn't want Music Spark to be just an indie-rock showcase," but instead he wanted to create a festival celebrating all the diverse and unique musical talents from the Triangle area.
The festival, which began Thursday and runs through Sunday, will primarily feature local bands from the Triangle.
"This area has been really well-known for music for many years, going back to the original blues stuff and the indie-rock stuff of the '90s," Villanova said. "We're not inviting groups from outside the area because we don't need to - we've got so many great people around here."
Performances scheduled for this weekend's festival include such varied acts as The N.C. Symphony, hip-hop groups Fanu and Camp Lo and house music from DJ Sleazy McQueen.
But the conference isn't just about music.
There has been a push this year for different sparks to collaborate and jointly present events. On Saturday night, Music Spark will join forces with Film Spark and present local filmmakers' work scored by live experimental music.
And anyone interested in starting any kind of spark is encouraged to do so during the initial planning phases of the conference.
"Whoever decides to pick up the handful of that spark organizes it and makes it happen," said Villanova, who is a volunteer along with Scott.
Villanova, a local physician and acupuncturist, and Scott, a Raleigh restaurant and bar manager, have been planning the event since April.
Organizers say the festival can be used as a tool for those new to the area, especially students who want to get connected to their new home.
"If they are from out of town, this is a chance for them to be more integrated with their environment, not just passing through, not just from a transient perspective," Scott said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
ATTEND THE FESTIVAL
When: Today through Sunday
Where: Downtown Raleigh
Info: www.sparkcon.com/musicspark.html
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