ABOUT

SPARK Festival is a multicultural, multigenerational arts and culture gathering rooted in creativity, heritage, and collective care. As the first BIPOC arts and culture festival in Bay Shore, SPARK creates a landmark moment for our region—centering voices, traditions, and artistic practices that have long shaped our community.

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Taking place in the heart of Downtown Bay Shore, NY, SPARK transforms public space into a vibrant hub of artistic expression featuring visual and performing arts, poetry, music, interactive installations, cultural programming, and food that reflects the richness of our neighborhood.

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Presented by Teatro Yerbabruja, the festival uplifts local, multicultural, and BIPOC artists and small businesses, amplifying the stories that live right here among us. SPARK is designed as an immersive, transdisciplinary experience where art is not just observed—it is shared, lived, and created together. This program has been made possible thanks to JumpSmart and the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development & Planning.

More than a festival– it’s a collective offering.

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This is about building something by the people, for the people.

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Through art and cultural expression, SPARK nurtures belonging, encourages dialogue, and creates environments where communities feel seen, safe, and celebrated. The festival reflects the lived experiences of Bay Shore while fostering cross-cultural understanding and unity across generations.

SPARK is anchored in Teatro Yerbabruja’s mission to use theater and the arts as tools for positive social transformation. Inspired by the resilient yerbabruja plant of Puerto Rico—able to grow and thrive in any environment—the organization creates platforms that uplift emerging and established BIPOC artists while sparking creativity, civic dialogue, and deeper appreciation for the arts.

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By reimagining Downtown Bay Shore as a site of artistic exchange, SPARK strengthens intercultural bonds, builds local pride, and contributes to the social and economic vitality of the community. It is both a celebration and a commitment: to visibility, representation, and shared cultural power.