SPARK 2024

19TH ANNUAL VISIONS AND VOICES
KICKOFF AND ARTS FEST

Thursday, August 22, 2024
8 to 11 p.m.

McCarthy Quad
Trojan Welcome Experience Wristband or USC ID Required
Click HERE to RSVP

MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE - Welcome at 8:30 p.m.

Pre-show DJ Set by SLATERROSE
Welcome
by Emcee JAVON JOHNSON
Introduction by USC Vice Provost for the Arts JOSH KUN
Music by MEGHAN CHEN
Poetry by SHANDELA CONTRERAS
Music by MARIACHI LOS TROYANOS DE USC
Spoken Word by JAVON JOHNSON
Music by LOVE KEYYZ
Dance Challenge with NSQK
Music and Live Visuals by LZ (LOUZHANG) and ANGELA WENYANG HOU
Drag Performance by RAE OBLIVION
Music by LUNA DAY
Music by MORAY
Dance Party with SLATERROSE

ACTIVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES - All Evening

PIXEL RHYTHMS Interactive Art Installation by KALEY CHOCRYSTAL JOW, ANKITA PANDA, and KESHAV PRASAD
INTERACTIVE ANIMATED SELFIE WALL by EVA GRANDONI, PATRADOL DODO KITCHAROEN, ZUYE JOEY LIU, XIAOBO DANIEL MA, and YIBO XU
– EMOTIPHONE BOOTH by KATYA URBAN & AARON ABUNU
– MINI PORTRAITS by USC ROSKI Artists and the VISUAL NARRATIVE SOCIETY
Meet USC’s ARTS SCHOOLS, MUSEUMS, and LIBRARIES
Meet Arts Groups NSQK DANCE, the PERFORMING ARTS COMMITTEE, and ARTS IN ACTION
Make BUTTONS, BRACELETS, BOOKMARKS, and COASTERS (while supplies last)
FREE V&V Merch (while supplies last)
FREE Kettle Korn and Donuts (while supplies last)
And MORE!

PERFORMER BIOS

JAVON JOHNSON
Three-Time National Poetry Slam Champion

Javon is a writer, scholar, and creator of the viral poem “cuz he’s black” who has appeared on BET’s Lyric Café, TV One’s Verses & Flow, The Steve Harvey Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and United Shades of America with Kamau Bell on CNN.

> Check out Javon on Def Poetry Jam HERE.

> See Javon read “Building” on Button Poetry HERE.

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LOVE KEYYZ (Class of 25)
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and USC Thornton Student

Love Keyyz is a powerhouse vocalist, passionate pianist, and an even sweeter harpist with a contemporary R&B sound that incorporates soul, funk, blues, and a touch of rock. Her main musical influences include Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Brandy.

> See the video for “Live Worth Living” HERE.

> Check out a harp performance of “Dangerously in Love” on JAM! HERE.

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LUNA DAY (Class of ’26)
Alternative Pop Singer-Songwriter and USC Thornton Student

With a focus on infectious melodies, honest lyrics, and connecting with her audience, Luna is inspired by artists such as Queen and David Bowie.

> Obsess over Luna’s “Obsessed” video HERE.

> Stream the lyric video for “Say It Back” HERE.

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LZ (LOUZHANG) (MFA, Class of ’25)
Electronic Musician, Film Scorer, and USC Thornton and USC Viterbi Student

ANGELA WENYANG HOU (MFA, Class of 25)
Director, Multimedia Visual Artist, and USC Cinematic Arts Student

Working together, LZ and Angela perform electronic music with unique visuals, presenting immersive interactive art that showcases their special aesthetic.

> Witness a live performance by LZ and Angela HERE.

> See LZ’s Wingie exploration and Strega improvisation HERE.

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MARIACHI LOS TROYANOS DE USC
USC’s Collegiate Mariachi Band

USC’s official, student-run mariachi band since 2021.

> See Mariachi Los Troyanos de USC on NBC California Live HERE.

> Read about Mariachi Los Troyanos on USC Today HERE.

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MEGHAN CHEN (Class of ’26)
Singer-Songwriter and USC Thornton Student

The enigmatic “white eyebrow girl,” is a queer pop/folk singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist who draws from the music of her Asian heritage, her classical training, and her favorite film scores.

> Watch the video for Meghan’s latest single,“Waterfall,” HERE.

> See Meghan live and unplugged, HERE.

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MORAY (Class of ’26)
Singer, Songwriter, Producer, and USC Thornton Student

Moray’s iridescent hyper pop is an exhilarating journey, never wavering in the effort to keep audiences inspired and ready to conquer the dance floor

> See “Your Loss” HERE.

> Move on “Moving On” HERE.

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NSQK
USC Hip Hop Dance Team

Founded in 2018, NSQK is a noncompetitive hip hop dance team and safe space for USC students.

> Check out the [KPOP IN PUBLIC] NewJeans medley video HERE.

> Stream the “La Puissance” concept video HERE.

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RAE OBLIVION (Class of 25)
USCs Desi Diva and USC Roski Student

With her regal beauty and fashion, the spicy treat has established herself in USC and the West Hollywood drag scene with show-stopping performances that never fail to leave a mark on her audience.

> Read about Rae in the Daily Trojan HERE.

> See Rae perform to a Rina Sawayama mix HERE.

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SHANDELA CONTRERAS (Class of  ’25)
Poet and USC Dornsife Student

2023 finalist for California Youth Poet Laureate, 2022 finalist and ambassador for Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate, author of the published chapbook Mellow Ballads, that move your Bones, and editor of Bell Tolls Ad Infinitum.

> The Daily Trojan profiles Shandela HERE.

> Shandela is in a list of 16 up-and-coming Latina poets HERE.

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SLATERROSE (Class of ’25) 
DJ, Movement Artist, and USC Kaufman Student 

A deejay, stylist, model, and BFA student at the USC Kaufman School of Dance. “Slater” is a character in the TV series Saved by the Bell and “Rose” sounds like the first part of Slaterrose’s last name.

> See Slaterrose live at Gearfest HERE.

> Join Slaterrose and friends live at the Dojo HERE.

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