Classical Blast's Dark Side of the Yule Comes to Arcada Theater

“Classical Blast gives Christmas music a twisted glow.” — Chicago Tribune

Hundreds of Christmas albums are released each year. Most seek to put a new spin on beloved standards. Traditional carols remain everyone's favorites, though occasionally something new strikes a chord. Chicago’s Classical Blast thinks they may have produced one of the most unique Christmas albums of all, with a mix of new, traditional and surprising. And now they have a live concert show to go along with it! On Sunday, December 17, Arcada Theater in St Charles presents Classical Blast's "Dark Side of the Yule."

Dark Side of the Yule provides a new take on traditional carols. It also provides a new take on classic rock songs. And therein lies it’s rub: Christmas Meets Classic Rock! Or as holiday music blogger Martin Jones puts it, “this is real peanut butter in my chocolate-chocolate in my peanut butter stuff.” Already known for combining rock & classical music (performed on classical and rock instruments) the band melds Christmas and rock music in ways never heard before. It’s all rolled into a series of musical holiday stories that explore the holiday season’s darker themes. This definitely isn’t grandma’s Christmas concert, yet she’s sure to like it too!

Classical Blast's concert show is packed with great musical performances and fun for any age. The concert features music by Pink Floyd, Simon & Garfunkle, Joni Mitchell, Moody Blues, Metallica and others, as well as original holiday songs, Christmas pop classics, medieval carols, classical and more. With the addition of new band vocalist, Javier Martin Lopez of Madrid, Spain, this year’s show adds music for Spanish speakers as well, with the album’s original single, “Twinkle” sung in both Spanish & English, and a Latin American mash of “Despecito” with a traditional Latino Christmas song. Add music from The Grinch, a host of guest performers, including bluesman, Wayne Baker Brooks, vocalist Stephanie Tonnemacher, Dina Bach on piano-vocals; and 17-year-old Olivia Ports, a choir and you’ve got an evening to remember.

Classical Blast has opened concerts for many national acts, including most recently The Orchestra (former members of ELO) at the Arcada. Band members are Petar Kecenovici, cello; Jimmy Chaos, violin; Bill Syniar on bass; Dave Kelly on drums and Javier Martin Lopez on lead vocals-guitar.

Tickets are $20. http://www.arcadalive.com/home...