MONROE — Get ready for a one-of-a-kind holiday concert where Christmas meets classic rock in Classical Blast’s “Dark Side of the Yule” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at Monroe Arts Center. The Chicago-based band Classical Blast invites all for a musical journey to experience new takes on traditional Christmas classics and carols.
This is not a typical Christmas concert. Classical Blast’s style, technique and tools breathe new life into both rock music and the classics. It combines classic rock and holiday songs in ways you’ve probably never heard before. Medieval holiday music like “Coventry Carol” is mashed with Pink Floyd’s “Great Gig in the Sky,” “Amazing Grace” melds with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” “Silent Night” seamlessly blurs into Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence,” while Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” flirts with Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”
Classical Blast provides a fresh take on rock music, using instruments not typical in today’s rock era. Featuring Romanian cellist Petar Kecenovici and violinist Jimmy Chaos, both classically trained musicians, Classical Blast brings the classical arts to mainstream rock music. Add some of Chicago’s best rockin’ musical talent — vocalist/guitarist Sophie Monroy, drummer/vocalist Dave Kelly, and renowned bass player Bill Syniar — it’s a recipe for success.
Formed in 2012, Classical Blast has continued their journey to explore and combine musical genre to create a new sound. With popularity throughout the Midwest region, the band has opened concerts for major rock headliners, including Michael McDonald, famed Eagles guitarist Don Felder, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Rik Emmet of Triumph, rock legend Joan Jett, The Orchestra (ELO), Stryper and many others. An evening with Classical Blast is a total blast for any age.
Reserved seat tickets for “Classical Blast-Dark Side of the Yule” may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249, or in person at the box office located at 1315 11th Street, or online at www.monroeartscenter.
