One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Classical Pick of the Week: From Virtual Reality to Reality
Photo by shazammy via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Video Games Live is a popular concert that features music from some of the greatest video games of all time. It's perfect for the whole family, you can bring out the inner nerd in you (or your child) at a concert featuring live music, videos, synchronized lighting, and some live action. With tunes from Mario, Zelda, Halo, Final Fantasy, Warcraft, Tron, Donkey Kong, Tetris, and Space Invaders, feel free to reminisce about the old days of playing video games at the laundromat or on your spoiled friend's new NES. Bond with your children with tales of games that used to be in 2-D or amaze them with stories of when games were all about substance rather than style. You can also impress your friends (real or imaginary) with anecdotes about some of these great composers (Tallarico, Wall, Uematsu, Kondo) that you'll get to hear.
Over 250,000 people have experienced this phenomenon; in addition to the concert, expect game demos, costume contests, and prizes! If you decide to dress up make sure that it does not obstruct the view of people behind you at the concert (unless you plan on sampling games all day). Although purists might scoff at the notion of a video game concert, it is a good opportunity for classical music lovers to help expand the audience to a newer and younger generation. Tickets are available here or at the box office. The concert is at the Greek Theatre on Thursday at 8 PM. If this isn't for you, there is always Sundays Live. This concert features Latin-infused rhythms/themes of composers like Ginastera and PIazzolla.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
