The popularity of the violin more than likely took a great leap upward after Monday night’s performance by Lindsey Stirling.
The so-called “Hip Hop violinist” put on a boundary-stretching display of dance and music, with her signature dub-step style, which combined with her classical expertise showed young violinists (and older ones too) in attendence that the instrument’s capabilities are limitless.
Stirling, originally from Los Angeles, appeared in Cranbrook — one of her first ever Canadian appearances — at the invitation of the Cranbrook Violin Club and Aspire Dance Academy. According to MC Kim Lutz she whole-heartedly agreed to make the stop in support of the local clubs.
The evening started with an appearence by member of the Cranbrook Violin Club, whom Stirling joined onstage to kick off the evening. Stirling’s performance featured music from her eponymous debut album, including “Electric Daisy Violin,” “Song of the Caged Bird,” “Transcendence,” and novel renditions of medleys from “Lord of the Rings” and “Phantom of the Opera.”
Stirling was also joined on-stage by members of the Aspire Dance Academy, who performed choreography to “Song of the Caged Bird.”
The evening was the Key City Theatre’s second in a row of performers taking traditional forms into bold territory. Sunday evening featured Grammy award-winning banjo virtuoso Alison Brown and her bluegrass/jazz fusion quartet.
The Cranbrook Violin Club was founded in 2010 to make music more accessible to families with young children. Last year it was opened up to all elementary students in Cranbrook, and is currently comprised of some 80 participants. Aspire offers professional dance instruction to students aged two and up. Valerie Potorti was choreographer for Monday evening’s performance.
