Coalition of Texans with Disabilities – Art Spark Texas https://www.artsparktx.org Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:00:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://www.artsparktx.org/wp-content/uploads/cropped-sm-rotated-sticks-web-32x32.png Coalition of Texans with Disabilities – Art Spark Texas https://www.artsparktx.org 32 32 Disability Pride Reading & Open Mic https://www.artsparktx.org/event/disability-pride-reading-open-mic/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.artsparktx.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=75363 Disability Pride Month Reading and Open Mic with CTD and Art Spark Texas at Alienated Majesty Books July 12 from 2-4pm

 

 

]]> Lion & Pirate: Virtual Monthly Open Mic https://www.artsparktx.org/event/lion-pirate-virtual-monthly-open-mic/ Sun, 03 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.artsparktx.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=75030 Virtual Lion & Pirate Open Mic Sunday May 3, 2026

May 3 Open Mic is being co-hosted by our friend, John Beer. Everyone is invited to read, perform, share a story, or attend as an audience member! Sign up to perform before midnight: Saturday, May 2, 2026.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.

]]> The Lion & Pirate Virtual Open Mic https://www.artsparktx.org/event/the-lion-pirate-virtual-open-mic-2/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.artsparktx.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=74214  

Yellow poster with a lion holding a microphone with red and black text that reads "The Lion and Pirate inclusive open mic" and "Sunday, April 12th, at 7pm - virtual"
Next Lion & Pirate open mic takes place Sunday, April 5, on Zoom. Celia will be taking over as host this month, and if you’d like to co-host, let us know!
Sign up to perform or simply attend and enjoy! https://forms.gle/98tjeiFqisAMCwrH6
The Zoom link will be emailed out to those who register and posted here the day of the show.
We’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems, prose… Anything you can perform in 3(ish) minutes
Community Guidelines: please read the Art Spark Texas code of conduct before Lion & Pirate events: https://www.artsparktx.org/code-of-conduct/
If you are reading work, note that we use content warnings to keep this space safe and welcoming. Please use them! If you have questions about content warnings, feel free to ask us before or during an open mic.

Things we believe:
– We feel and practice respect for all people and for diversity of thought and identity.
– We see honesty as a form of love.
– We acknowledge that free speech is difficult sometimes.
– We accept that we are unaware of the traumas people within even our own communities are trying to live through, and we have to teach each other, learn from each other, make each other more aware.
Accessibility adventure notes for virtual performers or attendees:

Captions: Zoom has auto-generated captions, and those are… ok. When possible, we screen share the words/ lyrics/ poems to each performance so that attendees who need closed captions (CC) get better quality info. Performers are welcome to: screen share their words themselves, so they can stay on screen OR send an L&P host their words and they’ll do the screen sharing OR paste a link to a document with their words in the chat, so attendees can decide if they want to see the words or not. If sharing your words ahead of time is not in the cards, that’s ok, we’ll do our best to make it work!
Sound quality: We ask all attendees to stay muted when not performing (or cheering).
Are you performing with an instrument or accompanying music?
Learn how to configure your Zoom settings for a live musical performance: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb…
Access requests: Need something else for virtual participation? Get in touch with Laura P at lperna@txdisabilities.org
]]> VIRTUAL Lion & Pirate Inclusive Open Mic https://www.artsparktx.org/event/virtual-lion-pirate-inclusive-open-mic/ Sun, 01 Feb 2026 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.artsparktx.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=71278 February 1 2026 Lion and Pirate Inclusive Open Mic

The Lion & Pirate is back for 2026! Our first gathering of the year will be Sunday, Feb. 1 on Zoom (link will posted here the day of the show). Sign ups open now: https://forms.gle/4j7UY3MwM7YWJJc9A
We’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems, prose… Anything you can perform in 3(ish) minutes!
Read on for community guidelines and accessibility adventure notes!
Community Guidelines: please read the Art Spark Texas code of conduct before Lion & Pirate events: https://www.artsparktx.org/code-of-conduct/
If you are reading work, note that we use content warnings to keep this space safe and welcoming. Please use them! If you have questions about content warnings, feel free to ask us before or during an open mic.
Things we believe:
– We feel and practice respect for all people and for diversity of thought and identity.
– We see honesty as a form of love.
– We acknowledge that free speech is difficult sometimes.
– We accept that we are unaware of the traumas people within even our own communities are trying to live through, and we have to teach each other, learn from each other, make each other more aware.
Accessibility adventure notes for virtual performers or attendees:
Captions: Zoom has auto-generated captions, and those are… ok. When possible, we screen share the words/ lyrics/ poems to each performance so that attendees who need closed captions (CC) get better quality info. Performers are welcome to: screen share their words themselves, so they can stay on screen OR send an L&P host their words and they’ll do the screen sharing OR paste a link to a document with their words in the chat, so attendees can decide if they want to see the words or not. If sharing your words ahead of time is not in the cards, that’s ok, we’ll do our best to make it work!
Sound quality: We ask all attendees to stay muted when not performing (or cheering). Are you performing with an instrument or accompanying music? Learn how to configure your Zoom settings for a live musical performance: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb…
Access requests: Need something else for virtual participation? Get in touch with Laura P at lperna@txdisabilities.org!
]]> VIRTUAL: The Lion & Pirate Open Mic https://www.artsparktx.org/event/virtual-the-lion-pirate-open-mic/ Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.artsparktx.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=62622 The Lion and Pirate Inclusive Open Mic
The Lion & Pirate meets again on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7pm CT on Zoom for a virtual, inclusive open mic!
Sign up to perform: https://forms.gle/A2QtE6yaBJ3yNc7d8
(Are you playing music? Make sure your Zoom settings are configured for original sound: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb…)
Zoom link will be sent to performers and posted here the day of the show.
As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems, prose… Anything you can perform in 3(ish) minutes!
Read on for community guidelines and accessibility adventure notes!
Community Guidelines: please read the Art Spark Texas code of conduct before Lion & Pirate events: https://www.artsparktx.org/code-of-conduct/
If you are reading work, note that we use content warnings to keep this space safe and welcoming. Please use them! If you have questions about content warnings, feel free to ask us before or during an open mic.
Things we believe:
– We feel and practice respect for all people and for diversity of thought and identity.
– We see honesty as a form of love.
– We acknowledge that free speech is difficult sometimes.
– We accept that we are unaware of the traumas people within even our own communities are trying to live through, and we have to teach each other, learn from each other, make each other more aware.
Accessibility adventure notes for virtual performers or attendees:
Captions: Zoom has auto-generated captions, and those are… ok. When possible, we screen share the words/ lyrics/ poems to each performance so that attendees who need closed captions (CC) get better quality info. Performers are welcome to: screen share their words themselves, so they can stay on screen OR send an L&P host their words and they’ll do the screen sharing OR paste a link to a document with their words in the chat, so attendees can decide if they want to see the words or not. If sharing your words ahead of time is not in the cards, that’s ok, we’ll do our best to make it work!
.
Sound quality: We ask all attendees to stay muted when not performing (or cheering). Are you performing with an instrument or accompanying music? Learn how to configure your Zoom settings for a live musical performance: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb…
Access requests: Need something else for virtual OR in person participation? Get in touch with Laura P by DM or email lperna@txdisabilities.org!
]]> Lion & Pirate Open Mic – Virtual Inclusive Writer’s Group https://www.artsparktx.org/event/lion-pirate-open-mic-virtual-inclusive-writers-group/ Sun, 07 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.artsparktx.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=60621 Lion & Pirate Open Mic with Sueitko - RSVP Now!

Writing Group – Sunday, September 7

1:00 – 2:30 pm, Central time.

Contact laura at lperna@txdisabilities.org to find how how you can get involved.

]]> The Lion & Pirate Virtual Open Mic https://www.artsparktx.org/event/the-lion-pirate-virtual-open-mic/ Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.artsparktx.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=60578 Yellow Open mic Flyer with a Lion with text that reads "virtually - The Lion and Pirate Open Mic"
The Lion & Pirate meets again on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 7pm CT on Zoom for a virtual, inclusive open mic! Sign up to perform now: https://forms.gle/XysFfk6WK4rMBUiA7
More to come about guest co-host and Zoom link will be posted HERE the day of the show! As always, we’re open to work in any genre: music, spoken word, improv, skits, storytelling, dance, poems, prose… Anything you can perform in 3(ish) minutes! Read on for community guidelines and accessibility adventure notes.
Community Guidelines: please read the Art Spark Texas code of conduct before Lion & Pirate events: https://www.artsparktx.org/code-of-conduct/
If you are reading work, note that we use content warnings to keep this space safe and welcoming. Please use them! If you have questions about content warnings, feel free to ask us before or during an open mic.
Things we believe:
– We feel and practice respect for all people and for diversity of thought and identity.
– We see honesty as a form of love.
– We acknowledge that free speech is difficult sometimes.
– We accept that we are unaware of the traumas people within even our own communities are trying to live through, and we have to teach each other, learn from each other, make each other more aware.
Accessibility adventure notes for virtual performers or attendees:
Captions: Zoom has auto-generated captions, and those are… ok. When possible, we screen share the words/ lyrics/ poems to each performance so that attendees who need closed captions (CC) get better quality info. Performers are welcome to: screen share their words themselves, so they can stay on screen OR send an L&P host their words and they’ll do the screen sharing OR paste a link to a document with their words in the chat, so attendees can decide if they want to see the words or not. If sharing your words ahead of time is not in the cards, that’s ok, we’ll do our best to make it work!
.
Sound quality: We ask all attendees to stay muted when not performing (or cheering). Are you performing with an instrument or accompanying music? Optimize your sound: https://online.berklee.edu/…/1793280-how-to-configure…
Access requests: Need something else for virtual OR in person participation? Get in touch with Laura P by DM or email lperna@txdisabilities.org!
]]> Disability Pride Showcase https://www.artsparktx.org/event/disability-pride-showcase-2/ Sun, 06 Jul 2025 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.artsparktx.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=60386 Green backdrop flyer with the words "disability pride showcase"
Sunday Jul 6th, 2025
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

This July, we’re hosting a Disability Pride Month showcase in partnership with Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD), Alienated Majesty Books, and Thunder & Lightning Poetry Collective.

For over ten years, CTD and Art Spark Texas have hosted monthly Lion & Pirate open mics to celebrate writers and performers with disabilities. Open to everyone in the community (with and without disabilities), this month’s L&P at Alienated Majesty Books will be hosted by Sueitko Zamorano-Chavez and feature a line-up of local poets and authors with disabilities to present an hour and a half long reading.

✦✦✦ ABOUT THE GUESTS ✦✦✦

Sueitko Zamorano-Chavez (elle/they/them) is an Indigi-Latine, Two-spirit, Queer, 2 time cancer surviving, chronically ill, neurodivergent multidisciplinary storyteller, event producer, host, and healer dedicated to highlighting experiences of the QTBIPOC community. Their upbringing sparked their creative and community work that has been featured and published in multiple zines, blogs, and anthologies. Earning a Bachelors and Masters in mental health focuses inspired led healing circles and various workshops on mental health awareness , creative healing and expression, as well as awareness of injustices toward often marginalized groups. Sueitko is a humble member of various local organizations and projects dedicated to empowering and enhancing our community. Follow them on Instagram for virtual open mics, variety hours, and TLPC events!

Jennifer Toon is a passionate prison abolitionist. As a formerly incarcerated woman, her experience with the criminal legal system began at age 15 when she was adjudicated under Texas determinate sentencing laws. Her conviction started a long journey through 27 years of criminal justice involvement. Jennifer has been published in The Texas Observer, The Marshall Project, The Guardian and is also the co-host of On the Rec Yard: Women’s Prison Podcast. She is also a JustLeadershipUSA Leading with Conviction™ (LwC) graduate. As the Executive Director for Lioness, Jennifer aspires to use her lived experience to bring attention to the voices of other system-impacted individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, youth, and people with disabilities. She lives in Austin, Texas with her cat Taylor, who embodies the mischievous energy of Taylor Swift.

Born Benjamin Joseph Kolbeson, Benny Kolbeson is a native Austinite. After moving around Texas while struggling to find meaning in education and employment, he came back to Austin in 2017 and received his ASD diagnosis at the age of 37. Since then, he’s gone mostly crazy while trying to be creative, focusing mostly on writing poetry and song lyrics, making melodies, and composing a few simple songs for piano. He also enjoys singing, painting, balloon art, cooking, and volunteering to an extent. Benny has been involved with the local autism community in Austin through organizations including ArtSparkTX, Autism Society of Texas, and Greenleaf NCC. He recently completed UT’s ACT LEND program for autistic self-advocates.

Christina Culverhouse is a passionate and dedicated artist, jewelry designer, and poet/writer with over 20 years of experience in the arts. Christina has an eclectic body of work. She has showcased her art at multiple venues in and around Austin, Texas as well as with an online gallery through Artlifting. In addition to her art, Christina has published three books containing her poetry and artwork that are available on Amazon and Lulu.com. Christina holds three degrees from St. Edward’s University: Bachelor of Arts in Art, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master of Arts in College Student Development.

✦✦✦ ABOUT THE ORGS ✦✦✦

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities is an Austin-based advocacy organization working to ensure that persons with disabilities may work, live, learn, play and participate fully in the community of their choice.

Art Spark Texas challenges perceptions of how people contribute by creating an arts-inspired, inclusive community of individuals with and without disabilities.

Thunder & Lightning Poetry Collective is a collective for disabled BIPOC & queer poets, working to foster creative, accessible community spaces that celebrate creativity within the chronically-ill, neurodivergent and disabled community.

✦✦✦ WHERE TO PARK ✦✦✦

Alienated Majesty is located at 613 W 29th St. There is (limited) free parking in our lot, as well as free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.

✦✦✦ ABOUT ALIENATED MAJESTY BOOKS ✦✦✦

Alienated Majesty Books is a bookstore and community space that specializes in small presses, works in translation, comics, and the weird and radical. In 2024, AMB was voted Best Obscure Literature Collection by the Austin Chronicle.

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