Stuffy. Old-fashioned. Boring. None of these words describe the style of classical music the Dallas String Quartet (DSQ Electric) excels at. For those who have always preferred pop music over Prokofiev, DSQ adds a classical twist to your favorite Top 40 hits. If you like Spinphony or Lindsey Stirling… you’ll LOVE DSQ Electric!
DEQ Electric will perform at the Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC) on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $48 [$25 student] and are available now at the VPAC box office (970-845-8497; www.vilarpac.org). DSQ Electric is part of a brand-new VPAC program this year where you can PAY YOUR AGE (18-30 years). To purchase you must do in person at the VPAC box office with valid proof of ID.
Describing themselves as “where Bach meets Bon Jovi,” DSQ plays a combination of classical and contemporary music on both traditional and electric strings. This fusion results in an exciting take on recent smash hits like Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito,” as well as beloved pop classics like the Beatles’ “Yesterday.”
The string quartet’s mission is “to disturb and innovate an industry and a style of music that has been done the same way for centuries,” said violist Ion Zanca in an interview with the Dallas Observer.
In addition to touring internationally, DSQ has performed at the White House for former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, as well as at events for the NBA, the NFL and the NCAA. The quartet has sold out venues like the House of Blues and played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Josh Groban. Along with Zanca, DSQ features violinist Eleanor Dunbar, jazz bassist Young Heo and Melissa Priller on electric violin.
At a DSQ concert, audiences often have no idea what the quartet will play next. It could be a mashup of Sibelius and Led Zeppelin, or a classical take on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” followed by a rockin’ version of Maroon 5’s “Moves like Jagger.” Classical music fans will enjoy listening to these prize-winning players strut their strings, while pop aficionados will get to hear songs they love in a whole new way. See DSQ Electric at VPAC on Thursday, Jan. 9.