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A gritty venue, electronic dance music, immersive art... and the Charlotte Symphony?

Liz Rothaus Bertrand, The Charlotte Observer -- 

The Charlotte Symphony has a groundbreaking project in the works that takes the nearly century-old organization somewhere it's never gone before -- into the world of electronic dance music. It's called "MERGE: Symphonic x Electronic," a multi-sensory experience that combines classical repertoire, electronic dance music and immersive visuals. It's the first in a series of forays into immersive entertainment for the orchestra.

The concert is set for May 10 and 11 at Blackbox Theater, a live music venue off East Sugar Creek that typically plays host to driving beats and late night dance crowds. The club's website describes the space as "gritty-sheik." A few acts will play at "MERGE," which stretches from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. But the evening's centerpiece will be the symphony's live performance, beginning at 9 p.m. along with Asheville-based electronic music composer and DJ Liam Collins, known as Push/Pull.

The orchestra's resident conductor, Christopher James Lees, will direct 25 string musicians as they perform by themselves and with Push/Pull. The performance will also feature original digital art created by Joe Vassar, who goes by the moniker Tenorless. With the aid of about a half dozen projectors and projection mapping, his creations will pulse and undulate on surfaces throughout the space, creating a visually immersive experience. They will also illuminate a 26'x14.5' LCD wall.

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