VIRTUAL OPEN MIC: THE LION & PIRATE
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, 2023-11-05 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
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
2023-07-02 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.

Virtual Speaking Advocates Training
2024-01-13 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-01-20 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-01-27 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-02-03 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-02-10 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-02-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-02-24 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-03-02 13:00 - 14:30
Interested in writing, public speaking, or acting? Art Spark Texas would like to invite you to share your story on the Art Spark podcast. The Virtual Speaking Advocates 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. Class members will have their final story included in future episodes of our Speaking Advocates podcast, True Tales by Disability Advocates.
Register for the class here.

Image Description: Screenshot of a Zoom meeting shows 20 men and women smiling for a photo. They represent a diversity of age groups and disabilities. Below the screenshot is the Art Spark Texas logo along with the text, “Speaking Advocates Virtual class.”

VIRTUAL OPEN MIC: THE LION & PIRATE
2024-02-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-03-03 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-05-05 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-06-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-08-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-11-03 13:00 - 14:30
The Lion & Pirate invites you to our virtual inclusive open mic for writers, performers, and musicians! As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform!
Featured performers to be announced; then, it will be your time to shine! 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.
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.
Questions? Please email MsBoye.

Disability Pride Showcase
2024-07-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Alientated Majesty Books, 613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
The Lion & Pirate invites you to a Disability Pride Month In-Person Showcase.
Hosted by Alienated Majesty Books, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, and Art Spark Texas.
Hey there Lion & Pirate Family! We’ve got some news to share with you. Unfortunately, there won’t be an Open Mic this month, but don’t you worry, because we’ve got something even better lined up for you!
Get ready to mark your calendars and clear your schedules.
WHEN: Sunday, July 14th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM CT
WHERE: Alienated Majesty Books, 613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.
WHY? Because we’re hosting a super special in-person event in honor of Disability Pride Month!
This Disability Pride Showcase, put together by the awesome Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and Art Spark Texas, is going to be off the charts!
Picture this – a stellar lineup of disabled Austin writers, featuring the incredible talents of Lauren E. Gerken, MsBoye, Eric Clow, Sueitko Zamorano-Chavez, Amy Elizabeth Litzinger, and Benny Kolbeson, all under one roof!
It’s going to be a celebration like no other, a chance to show our PRIDE and support for the amazing writers in our community.
So, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to come together, share the love for Disabled Artists, and have a blast!
See you all there!
Register for free tickets
Questions? Please email MsBoye.

Waiting for the Bus Casting Call
2024-08-28 | https://www.artsparktx.org/event/waiting-for-the-bus-casting-call/
Art Spark Texas is inviting you to audition for the world premier of
Waiting For the Bus
By James Burnside
CASTING CALL
Click the following file to hear an audio recording of this announcement.
https://www.artsparktx.org/wp-content/uploads/Casting-Call.mp3
Submission deadline Wednesday August 28, 2024
Play Synopsis: Waiting for The Bus is an exciting new work written by local playwright and disability advocate James Burnside. Be a part of this groundbreaking play exploring the hidden stories of residential asylums and their continued impact on people with disabilities.

Comedic and dramatic performance opportunities
Actors with disabilities are encouraged to audition
28 total roles available with double casting likely
18+ years old
Non Equity
Paid – Stipend

How to Audition
Auditions will be video submissions or virtual.**
**Zoom Audition option available Wednesday August 21, 2024 7-9 pm. By online appointment only. Contact hross1110@gmail.com to schedule.

Record a video of you performing one of the monologues included here.
Link to monologues: Regular Print
Link to monologues Large Print
Audio Recording of Monologues
https://www.artsparktx.org/wp-content/uploads/Audition-Monologues-Waiting-for-the-Bus.mp3
Please fill out this form to submit your 3 attachments:

resume
headshot
video submission

Link to form:
https://forms.gle/cYSLEsc1W29UQsEt7
Audio recording of form link:
https://www.artsparktx.org/wp-content/uploads/audition-google-form-link.mp3

Submission deadline Wednesday August 28, 2024
Rehearsal Schedule
Weekly Zoom rehearsals with steadily increasing in-person rehearsals in Austin, full schedule to be determined.
Show Week One
Thursday November 14, 2024 at 7 pm – Preview
Friday November 15, 2024 at 7 pm – Opening Night
Saturday November 16, 2024 at 7 pm – Show
Sunday November 17, 2024 at 2 pm – Matinee
Show Week Two
One weekday school show according to actors availability
Friday November 22, 2024 at 7 pm – Show
Saturday November 23, 2024 at 2 pm – Matinee
Saturday November 23, 2024 at 7 pm – Show (Possible)
Submission deadline Wednesday August 28, 2024

The Lion and Pirate Open Mic In Person
2024-12-07 15:00 - 17:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Our usual virtual open mic is in person this month! Join us at the Art Spark Texas Studio at 1152 San Bernard Street, Austin, TX 78702.
At this inclusive open mic, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform!
Join us to hear from local creatives. Sign up at the event if you want to perform. Contact us if you have questions about our sound set up.
What to Expect:

The performer sign-up opens at 2:30 PM.
This is a disability-inclusive open mic, so all performers are welcome, regardless of their abilities. It’s a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone is encouraged to share their gifts.
The Lion & Pirate Open Mic is a great way to showcase your talents and connect with other artists.
We encourage a variety of performers, including musicians, poets, comedians, storytellers, and more to join us.
We will have amplification.
The house, porch, and backyard are all accessible, please email MsBoye for individual accessibility questions or requirements.
The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems or prose… Anything you can perform!
Featured performers to be announced; then, it will be your time to shine!
Stay tuned to our Facebook Group for event updates, signup sheets, and links, and invite your friends, too.
Questions? Please email MsBoye.

Speaking Advocates Workshop Series
2026-04-03 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-10 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-17 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-24 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Art Spark Texas, 1152 San Bernard St., Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Art Spark Texas’ weekly workshop series designed to guide adults with disabilities towards developing their personal stories, communications, and public-speaking skills, culminating in a community showcase – resulting in skills they can take with them moving forward, to advocates for themselves and their communities and change public perceptions.
Fridays, 10 am – 1 pm, April 3rd- May 8th
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 30th

REGISTER HERE < CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
