Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Contributor

BSR Contributor Since October 1, 2019

Crystal Sparrow (she/her pronouns) is a writer, editor, and educator based in Philadelphia. She has more than 200 writing clips in publications including Blavity, The Verge, Looper, POMEmag, and Black Girl Nerds, where she served as Senior Pitch Editor for two years.

Crystal Sparrow is a writer, editor, and educator based in Philadelphia. When she’s not writing media reviews, interviewing fascinating creatives, or covering myriad events; she is getting way too attached to video game characters, employing her encyclopedic knowledge of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to wow people at parties, or giving shouty pop-punk concerts in her living room to the—let’s go with “delight”—of her neighbors.

By this Author

9 results
Page 1
‘Isaac Hayes in His Office at Stax Records, Memphis, Tennessee,’ a 1970s gelatin silver print by Ernest C. Withers. (Courtesy of Decaneas Archive, Revere, MA. © Dr.Ernest C. Withers, Sr.)

The Delaware Art Museum presents ‘Posing Beauty in African American Culture’

Beautiful humanity

‘Posing Beauty’ at the Delaware Art Museum is an especially important offering for Wilmington and beyond. Crystal Sparrow reviews.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Articles 4 minute read
Celebrating melanin: panelists at a past year’s Locks Conference event. (Image courtesy of the Locks Conference.)

The 25th anniversary of Philadelphia’s International Locks Conference

Celebrating melanin

The Locks Conference is a beloved, important Philadelphia institution that promotes art, entrepreneurship, health, and wellness. Crystal Sparrow reflects on its history, and how it parallels her own journey.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Essays 5 minute read
LaNeshe Miller-White, cofounder of Theatre in the X, now serves as the executive director. (Photo by Sharvon Hales Photography.)
Ishii wears a black and white striped dress, hands folded, sitting in a chair, facing the cam for a portrait.

Spotlighting the Philly creative scene with Anne Ishii

The art of moving and making

Anne Ishii talks hosting the new season of WHYY’s Movers & Makers, translating bara manga, and the power of art that takes its time. Crystal Sparrow profiles.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Profiles 3 minute read
An 8-piece band made up of Black and Asian performers, colorfully dressed, pose for a casual group photo outdoors.

Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center presents the Sakura Concert Series

Cherry blossoms and fusions of Asian and Black cultures

The Sakura Concert Series of the Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival of Philadelphia captures the essence of spring and cross-culture. Crystal Sparrow previews.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Previews 3 minute read
A dance group in dashiki dresses perform with musicians behind them on an outdoor stage on a sunny day.

Celebrating 45 years of the Philadelphia ODUNDE Festival

More than just a day

Crystal Sparrow speaks about the legacy of the ODUNDE Festival with Oshunbumi "Bumi" Fernandez-West as they celebrate its 45th anniversary.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Previews 3 minute read
Show logo. Title in white at bottom left. At top right, a woman’s angry eye looks through a hole in a red & white wall.

Philly Fringe 2022: Marlen Puello presents Homo Femina

The brutal world of womanhood

This streaming Fringe experience from choreographer Marlen Puello explores society's treatment of womanhood. Crystal Sparrow reviews.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Reviews 2 minute read
Gillette, a white man, onstage. He’s bald, with a wary expression, tinfoil hanging from his neck, and a blue hospital gown.

Philly Fringe 2022: Nick Gillette Improv presents Reception

Just a guy from another galaxy

Fringe favorite Nick Gillette brings his latest improv concept to this year’s Cannonball Festival with Reception, an unusual alien encounter. Crystal Sparrow reviews.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Reviews 3 minute read
Forten, in profile in a historic painted portrait. He wears a high-collared black coat & white cravat, and neutral expression

Museum of the American Revolution presents Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia

Three generations of seeking justice

A new exhibition revealing 100 years and three generations of the Forten family in Philadelphia is a must-see. Crystal Sparrow visits.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Reviews 4 minute read