Speaking Advocates with Eric Clow
2020-12-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Speaking Advocates end-of-year special event. Join us for a conversation with past instructors on Saturday, December 5 and 12, 1-2pm CT.
Self-Care is Self-Advocacy (December 12)
Former OMOD Coordinator Eric Clow will explore the healing aspects of his journaling, poetry, and meditation practices, and how they relate to his broader self-care routines and advocacy.
This virtual conversation will be held on Zoom.
Zoom Meeting Link: Click here to join.
Meeting ID: 827 7253 2112
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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Meeting ID: 827 7253 2112
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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Writing poetry during quarantine

Registration now open: Speaking Advocate Training Program
2020-12-14, 2020-12-21
2021 New Speaking Advocate Training Program. Now you can invite friends from all over Texas These classes are an updated online version of our Opening Minds, Opening Doors (OMOD) public speaker training program for adults with disabilities. We combine the art of storytelling with public speaking skills, so our speakers can bring their stories to the general public and challenge misconceptions about what it means to live with a disability. The new program will include training to participate in creating content and producing our new podcast to be launched in 2021.
Click here for link to 2021 Program registration A shout out to Texas State Independent Living Council (Texas SILC) for their generous support in this effort.

Virtual Open Mic - The Lion & Pirate
2021-02-07 13:00 - 14:30
The Lion & Pirate in 2021 inclusive, open mic for writers, performers, and acoustic musicians invites you to join us Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 1pm. Sponsored by Art Spark Texas and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest. Organizers also include Malvern Books and the Coalition of Texans Disabilities.
Performers
click here to sign-up by noon February 6.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list .
Stay tuned to our Facebook Page for event updates and invite your friends too. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
How to Join the Open Mic
Here is the link to join the Virtually Lion & Pirate Open Mic as a Performer or Guest.
Save this Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85323118334
Meeting ID: 853 2311 8334
Password: [REDACTED]
Questions? Please email Ms Boye: boye@artsparktx.org.
Thank you for donating and supporting Art Spark Texas Speaking Advocates Program and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest.

The Newlywed Game
2021-03-02 17:00 - 18:00
Hosted by Speaking Advocates
This month the Speaking Advocates are launching a twice-monthly virtual Happy Hour for folks with disabilities to mingle, vent, laugh, chat, create, and more. As Valentine’s Day (came and went and we all got snowed in), we rescheduled The Newlywed Game featuring a few of our star couples! We hope you will join us Tuesday, March 2 at 5 PM for this fun inaugural event.
The Happy Hour is every first and third Tuesday of the month, from 5 to 6 PM CT with a rotating cast of hosts. Here are a few topics we look forward to: Journaling/Poetry with Eric Clow, Card-Making with Nicole Cortichiato, Mindfulness for Beginners with Ms. Boye. Be sure to join our Speaking Advocates email list for notifications and login information.
Meet the contestants on our blog.

Virtual Open Mic - The Lion & Pirate
2021-03-06 19:00 - 20:30
The Lion & Pirate in 2021 inclusive, open mic for writers, performers and acoustic musicians invites you to join us Saturday, March 06, 2021 at 7pm. Sponsored by Art Spark Texas and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest. Organizers also include Malvern Books and the Coalition of Texans Disabilities.
Performers
click here to sign-up by midnight on the preceding day.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list .
RSVP, invite friends, and stay tuned for event updates on our Facebook Page. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
How to Join the Open Mic
Here is the link to join the Virtually Lion & Pirate Open Mic as a Performer or Guest.
Save this Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85323118334
Meeting ID: 853 2311 8334
Password: [REDACTED]
For more details and visit our Lion and Pirate Facebook page.
Questions? mail Ms. Boye or call 512-454-9912
if you need more information or help signing up.
This event will include live captioning. Please contact Art Spark in advance to request other accommodations.
Thank you for donating and supporting Art Spark Texas Speaking Advocates Program and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest.

Virtual Open Mic - The Lion & Pirate
2021-04-03 13:00 - 14:30
The Lion & Pirate in 2021 inclusive, open mic for writers, performers and acoustic musicians invites you to join us Saturday, April 03, 2021 at 1pm. Sponsored by Art Spark Texas and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest. Organizers also include Malvern Books and the Coalition of Texans Disabilities.
Performers
click here to sign-up by noon on April 02.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list .
RSVP, invite friends, and stay tuned for event updates on our Facebook Page. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
How to Join the Open Mic
Here is the link to join the Virtually Lion & Pirate Open Mic as a Performer or Guest.
Save this Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85323118334
Meeting ID: 853 2311 8334
Password: [REDACTED]
For more details and visit our Lion and Pirate Facebook page.
Questions? mail Ms. Boye or call 512-454-9912
if you need more information or help signing up.
This event will include live captioning. Please contact Art Spark in advance to request other accommodations.
Thank you for donating and supporting Art Spark Texas Speaking Advocates Program and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest.

Virtual Open Mic: The Lion & Pirate
2021-07-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2021-08-01 13:00 - 14:30, 2021-09-04 19:00 - 20:30, 2021-10-03 13:00 - 14:30
The Lion & Pirate, inclusive open mic for writers, performers, and acoustic musicians invites you to join us the first weekend of the month. Sponsored by Art Spark Texas and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest. Organizers also include Malvern Books and the Coalition of Texans Disabilities.
Join us on Zoom:
Meeting Link (for guests and performers)
Meeting ID: 853 2311 8334
Passcode: [REDACTED]
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list.
Stay tuned to our Facebook Page for event updates and invite your friends too. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
The Lion & Pirate Open Mic performers sign-up by noon the day before the open mic:

Saturday, 3 July 2021; 7-8:30pm CDT. Performer sign-up form (July)
Sunday, 1 August 2021; 1:00-2:30pm CDT. Performer Sign-up form (Aug)
Saturday, 4 September 2021; 7:00-8:30pm CDT. Performer sign-up form (Sep)
Sunday, 3 October 2021; 1:00-2:30pm CDT. Performer sign-up form (Oct)

Questions? Please email Ms Boye: boye@artsparktx.org.
Thank you for donating and supporting Art Spark Texas Speaking Advocates Program and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest.

Speaking Advocates Happy Hour
2021-07-20 17:00 - 18:00, 2021-08-17 17:00 - 18:00, 2021-09-21 17:00 - 18:00, 2021-10-19 17:00 - 18:00, 2021-11-16 17:00 - 18:00, 2021-12-21 17:00 - 18:00
Leave your inhibitions at the door, because it is the Speaking Advocates Happy Hour!
A fun, virtual space for folks to hang out, chat, play games, and more. Each month we welcome different bartenders to help us unwind with light conversation and social activities.
This is a closed group open to Speaking Advocates and OMOD participants. Members of all disabled communities welcome. Contact Ms. Boye and let us know a little about yourself.

Third Tuesdays of each month (mark your calendars and you won’t be late).
5 to 6 PM Central time

Want to be a future bartender?
Drop in and introduce yourself!
For Link to the Happy Hour visit OMOD FB Group or email Ms. Boye: boye@artsparktx.org.

Virtual Open Mic: The Lion & Pirate
2021-11-06 19:00 - 20:30
The Lion & Pirate, inclusive, open mic for writers, performers, and acoustic musicians invites you to join us the first weekend of the month. Sponsored by Art Spark Texas and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest. Organizers also include Malvern Books and the Coalition of Texans Disabilities.
Join the Lion & Pirate for our next virtual inclusive, open mic! Saturday, November 6, 2021 – 7-8:30 pm. Featured performers to be announced; then, it will be your time to shine!
Sign up here by noon Nov. 5.
Join us on Zoom:
Link will be available when you sign up to perform, and closer to the event for the public.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list.
Stay tuned to our Facebook Page for event updates and invite your friends too. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
Questions? Please email Ms Boye: boye@artsparktx.org.
Thank you for donating and supporting Art Spark Texas Speaking Advocates Program and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest.

Podcast Launch
2021-12-03
Join us as we celebrate the launch of True Tales by Disability Advocates, a podcast created by Art Spark Texas’ Speaking Advocates group. On Friday, December 3rd, we will be hosting a virtual ‘Meet the Team Launch Party’ at 1 PM featuring a panel of our speaking advocates discussing the project, how it’s unique, and their vision. The meeting opens at 12:45 PM.

Event Link: https://zoom.us/j/95148036838

Available on all podcasting platforms.

Crip Lyrics: The Virtual Launch Event
2021-12-03 18:30 - 19:45
CTD and Art Spark Texas are proud to host the launch of Crip Lyrics: The Unapologetic Poetry of Disability, a collection of poems framing the many facets of Disability Culture.
Written by a disabled activist, speaker, organizer, and writer Val Vera, Crip Lyrics is an unfiltered and poetic narrative of Vera’s perspectives, lived experiences, and identity as a disabled person.

Virtual Open Mic: The Lion & Pirate
2021-12-05 13:00 - 14:30
The Lion & Pirate, inclusive, open mic for writers, performers, and acoustic musicians invites you to join us the first weekend of the month. Sponsored by Art Spark Texas and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest. Organizers also include Malvern Books and the Coalition of Texans Disabilities.
Join the Lion & Pirate for our next virtual inclusive, open mic! Sunday, December 5, 2021—1-2:30 pm. Featured performers to be announced; then, it will be your time to shine!
Sign up by noon December 4.
Join us on Zoom:
Link will be available when you sign up to perform and closer to the event for the public.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list.
Stay tuned to our Facebook Page for event updates and invite your friends too. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
Questions? Please email Ms Boye: boye@artsparktx.org.
Thank you for donating and supporting Art Spark Texas Speaking Advocates Program and the Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Contest.

VIRTUAL OPEN MIC: THE LION & PIRATE
2023-02-04 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-04-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-05-07 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-06-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-08-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-09-03 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-10-07 19:00 - 20:30
The Lion & Pirate, an inclusive, open mic for writers, performers, and acoustic musicians, invites you to join us the first weekend of the month.
Join the Lion & Pirate for our next virtual inclusive, open mic! Featured performers to be announced; then, it will be your time to shine!
Join us on Zoom:
Use this Link to attend our virtual open mic.
Stay tuned to our Facebook Group for event updates, signup sheets, and links, and invite your friends too. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list.
Questions? Please email MsBoye.

VIRTUAL OPEN MIC: THE LION & PIRATE
2023-03-05 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-07-02 13:00 - 14:30
The Lion & Pirate, an inclusive, open mic for writers, performers, and acoustic musicians, invites you to join us the first weekend of the month.
Join the Lion & Pirate for our next virtual inclusive, open mic! Featured performers to be announced; then, it will be your time to shine!
Join us on Zoom:
Use this Link to attend our virtual open mic.
Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/3QnaRvNnL83XG1n79
Stay tuned to our Facebook Group for event updates, signup sheets, and links, and invite your friends too. You can tune in just to connect with your community and give us those “clap” reactions.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform! There will be 10 sign up slots. We ask that you sign up ahead of time. Any sign-ups after 10 will be held on a backup list.
Questions? Please email Ms Boye: boye@artsparktx.org.
