Sparta

Sparta, led by Jim Ward, performs with Public Opinion at Pearl Street. The event centers on Sparta’s sixth full-length album, *Cut a Silhouette*, a title inspired by Macaulay Culkin’s description of the lasting impression John Candy made on people. Ward says he wants the record to create that same kind of meaningful, lasting impact.

Ward’s musical history includes his work with pioneering post-hardcore band At the Drive-In and Sparta’s albums *Wiretap Scars* (2002), *Porcelain* (2004), *Threes* (2006), *Trust the River* (2020), and the self-titled *Sparta* (2022). He has also released solo material, collaborated with poet Bobby Byrd, and performed with his alternative-country project Sleepercar. The page places the new album in the context of Ward’s more than three decades in music, including Sparta anniversary tours and his ongoing reflection on whether he still has something important to contribute.

When: September 14, 2026

Performers: Sparta with Public Opinion

Tickets: Free

Venue: Pearl Street Warehouse, 33 Pearl Street SW, Washington, DC 20024

Featured release: Sparta’s sixth full-length album, *Cut a Silhouette*

Event focus: A live Sparta performance featuring music connected to *Cut a Silhouette* and the band’s broader post-hardcore legacy.