Maestro Victor Vener and his California Philharmonic continue to shake things up in the world of professional orchestral performances. Most recently, Vener, who is always thinking of exciting new and creative ways to blend what is current with classics, came up with an ingenious idea for the orchestra’s Christmas concert spectacular. He thought why not include a one-of-a-kind performance of The Nutcracker which features street and hip-hop dancers from some of the top-tier dance shows on television. Once California Philharmonic’s new Executive Director Brandon Dobbins ran with Vener’s creative concept and reached out to his colleagues at Lythgoe Family Productions to procure some of the hottest dancers from hit series So You Think You Can Dance, it was full steam ahead. California Philharmonic’s visionary conductor and Musical Director Victor Vener’s idea came to fruition, much to the delight of close to two thousand concert-goers as well as more than 32 million people worldwide who are now captivated by video of the mesmerizing performance which has gone viral. Check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb4mJ1zTLK4
The magic begins with California Philharmonic masterfully performing the renowned music note perfect. Then popular dancers Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer, James “B-Dash” Derrick and Kevin “Konkrete” perform brilliantly choreographed animation hip-hop moves complete with sweeping motions, tics, freezing and popping to the March, Sugar Plum Fairy, Chocolate, Tea and Trepak movements of The Nutcracker.
“I had an idea…and now this!” exclaimed Vener whose collaboration with Cyrus and the dancers resulted in growing from one dance into an entire presentation of The Nutcracker unlike any other. “We had a blast surprising our audience with our modernized version of The Nutcracker and are thrilled that now video of our history-making performance is spreading faster than the speed of internet allowing millions of more people throughout the world to enjoy.” The original video was posted on YouTube late last week by Joel Pashby.
“It was so much fun, everyone wants more…and there will be more,” continued Vener as he announced that the talented trio of dancers will perform with Cal Phil again as special guests during California Philharmonic’s highly-anticipated 2016 Summer season at Santa Anita Race Track and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
“It was such an honor to perform for the first time with a professional orchestra the caliber of California Philharmonic,” said Spencer who, since wowing people as Season 9 runner-up on the nine time Emmy Award winning FOX hit television show So You Think You Can Dance, has been performing all across the country, shooting commercials and starring in feature films including the most recent installment of the smash hit Step Up franchise, Step Up: All In’ among others. “It was epic and we look forward to performing with California Philharmonic again this summer!”
James “B-Dash” Derrick, also from SYTYCD, and Kevin “Konkrete” Davis whose credits include America’s Best Dance Crew echo that sentiment. The dates of the dancers special guest appearances with Cal Phil this summer will be announced in the near future.
Audiences can also expect much more fun and surprises during the world-class orchestra’s milestone 20th anniversary season which kicks off on Saturday June 25, 2016. As always, Cal Phil performs its acclaimed concerts at two of Los Angeles County’s best music venues. Saturday nights experience the orchestra concertizing under the stars on a beautiful grass meadow in the infield of historic Santa Anita Race Track. After its evenings outdoors, the orchestra moves inside Walt Disney Concert Hall, one of the world’s finest music spaces–and a landmark destination–for popular Sunday afternoon matinée performances.
The season starts with a bang during All American on Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26. Hailed as “Music of the people, by the people and for the people,” All American will feature a brilliant mix of music ranging from classical to country, jazz, Motown and more. The second concert, At The Movies, a collection of cinematic masterpieces, follows on Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10. Concert number three boasts Classical Rock on Saturday July 23 and Sunday July 31 with a nostalgic program that includes music from the 1770’s, 1870’s and 1970’s. California Philharmonic and special guests will then take Center Stage on Saturday August 6 and Sunday August 7 when Broadway meets Opera. The season concludes with a musical trip across the universe during The Planets taking place on Saturday August 20 and Sunday August 21.
The California Philharmonic is supported by the California Philharmonia Society, a non-profit community benefit organization whose main emphasis at this time is to support the California Philharmonic.
Tickets start at $20.00 and can be purchased at www.calphil.com or by calling (626) 304-0333.
For further information or to schedule a time to speak with Maestro Victor Vener, please contact Lauren Lewis at (818) 970-0052 or [email protected].
