sparksLIVE SONG FESTIVAL 2026

sparksLIVE SONG FESTIVAL 2026

sparksLIVE 2026
February 19-21
Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia,
2537 Broadway at 95th St W, New York

The Thalia Theatre lies in the lower level of Symphony Space, and is accessed through the main lobby of the building.

Wheelchair accessible locations are available throughout the space.

Stephanie Blythe and Ryan MacEvoy McCullough in recital

Stephanie Blythe and Ryan McCullough celebrate the life and work of a songwriter you didn’t know you know. Harry Warren: The Invisible Man, showcases a selection of Warren’s works from the American Songbook that have provided a brilliant soundtrack for scores of lives through the years. Composing over a span of six decades, beginning in 1918, and collaborating with many of the great lyricists of the day, including Al Dubin, Mack Gordon, and Johnny Mercer, there is song here for everyone, reaching the audience with musical language that is wonderfully and unmistakably Harry Warren.

The Invisible Man

Thursday, February 19, 2026, 7:30pm
Leonard Nimoy Thalia @ Symphony Space

TICKETS

The Song Blanket

Sparks & Wiry Cries presents the inaugural songCIRCLE project

Created & performed by Rebecca Hass, vocalist with Erika Switzer, piano.

Featuring Lucy Shelton, Kamala Sankaram, & Kate Morton, vocalists

In ‘The Song Blanket’ I have centered my granny’s quilt as a pathway of awakening the blood memory in each of us, seeking to honor intergenerational wisdom from the matriarchs, known and unknown to us,  telling stories and singing songs rooted in classical and community music making.
-Rebecca Hass

Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30pm
Leonard Nimoy Thalia @ Symphony Space

TICKETS

A unique and energizing community event for composer/performer teams to premiere new art songs and compete for cash prizes.

Fashioned after poetry slams and storytelling events, teams of composers and performers compete for $2,000 in audience-awarded cash prizes with new art song premieres.

Each team will present a new song of no more than 5 minutes for voice and piano, in any language, for the live voting audience, who—in the poetry slam tradition—will then vote on their favorite and award prizes. While votes are tabulated, hear the world premiere of the 2025 songSLAM commission by prizewinner Joshua Bornfield.

NYC songSLAM 2026

Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:30pm
Leonard Nimoy Thalia @ Symphony Space

TICKETS