New company aims to spark community

Dara Quinn and Alicia Cullison met when they both were helping out with a local music festival this past summer, and a friendship quickly sparked.

Something else did, too – a business idea.

The pair worked together well, and they realized that with Quinn’s music industry savvy and connections and Cullison’s knack for organization and planning, they could make a dynamic event production team. 

So, they formed Emerald Spark Events.

The company, which is dedicated to bringing live music and entertainment to the Tri-Cities, already has its first big job: taking over Thunder on the Island and The Clover Island Concert Series in Kennewick. The series was organized for years by Mark Blotz, Clover Island Inn’s longtime manager and partner. He’s now retired, and the hotel is under new ownership. 

It’s being converted to a Spark by Hilton property. 

Quinn and Cullison said they’re excited to add their touch to the Clover Island concert series while building on what’s made it special for so long. 

It marks its 20th anniversary in 2025.

“We’re going to be doing it in much the same format as in previous years but infused with a new spark,” Quinn said. “We’re trying to diversify the series while also honoring traditions with crowd favorites from the past.”

Quinn’s restaurant, Emerald of Siam in Richland, will provide food and drinks for the series. Quinn and Cullison are booking acts now.

They’re looking to boost community involvement and engagement with the concert series and bring more people to the island, they said. 

“Maybe people who haven’t thought about Clover Island – they might find a reason to go there this next year,” Cullison said.

Along with booking acts, handling food and drinks and other aspects of the series, Emerald Spark also will manage the new Apex stage at Clover Island. It’ll be available for private parties and events.

While Emerald Spark has special expertise in live music and entertainment, Cullison and Quinn said they’re open to working on all sorts of events and projects, from weddings to booking acts for various venues.

They bring different backgrounds to the business.

Cullison has a master’s degree in social work and runs Spark Innovative Learning Project,  described as a hub for self-directed, non-coercive, neurodivergent-affirming learning opportunities. She’s also worked with numerous nonprofits as a volunteer and board member.

Quinn, meanwhile, is well-known in the Tri-Cities music scene – a former touring musician who is co-owner of Emerald of Siam, a popular Thai restaurant and one of the area’s best-known live music venues. 

When the pair crossed paths during Tri-Town Get Down this past summer, they each quickly made an impression on the other. 

“I could see from the outside that there were a lot of people wanting Dara to do a lot of things … I wanted to be that person behind Dara who’s taking some of the load off,” Cullison said. 

For Quinn, what “sealed the deal,” she said, was when Cullison – who was serving as the volunteer coordinator – was the last to leave on the final night.

“She was there cleaning up and making sure everything was in order. She did not give up and she was everywhere,” Quinn said.

The business partners said they balance each other out and bring out the best in one another. As they plug away on the Clover Island series and look for other opportunities, they’re keeping their eyes on their mission: to create memorable events and experiences that bring people together.

“We want to be a catalyst for communities coming together and having a great time,” Quinn said. “When people hear or see Emerald Spark, we want to evoke a feeling of community.”

Go to: emeraldsparkevents.com.