SPARKcon preview: 5 events not to miss

RALEIGH, N.C. — SPARKcon, a four-day celebration of art, music, film, fashion, comedy, food and dance, takes over downtown Raleigh starting Thursday night. With so many different events and "Sparks" happening throughout the weekend, we decided to breakdown the top five events you should definitely check out.

artSPARK - Help decorate a giant guitar or just check out the chalk art being created along Fayetteville Street. Definitely check out Art in Motion, which combines dance and painting at Artspace.

circusSPARK - Yoga, parkour, aerial arts and a "Banana Dance Flash Mob Parade" are all happening as part of this event. Make sure to check out the Fire Show tribute to Elvis on the corner of Fayetteville and Martin streets Saturday starting at 9 p.m. And if you have time Friday night, hit up "The End is Near Circus Parade" starting at Fayetteville and Martin streets and the "Cirque Apocalypse Fashion Show" in City Plaza.

comedySPARK - From the "clean" comedy shows happening on the R-Line Bus on Saturday afternoon to "swearSPARK" Curse Word Spectacular, there is something for everyone. Make sure to check out the Improv show featuring Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane Saturday at 5 p.m. at Kings. And on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the City of Raleigh Museum, punSPARK will feature competitors trying to "out-pun" each other. (WRAL chief meteorologist Greg Fishel should probably enter that!)

tastySPARK - There will be three days of food truck fun with rodeos happening Friday 6-10 p.m., Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m.

filmSPARK - Enjoy a showcase of local independent films and shorts at the NC Museum of History. Showings are Friday through Sunday.