The warm glow of dozens of candles illuminated the stairway leading to the Granada Theater, as guests dressed in classy attire or more casually clothed filled nearly every seat of the historic venue.
The uptown Minneapolis theater hosted its “Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics” concert on Thursday evening.
The Boom Island String Quartet opened the night with “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, and performed a variety of Halloween-themed songs ranging from classical to contemporary hits.
Candlelight, “a classical music concert made for everyone,” is a series of live performances produced by Fever and can be found in over 150 cities globally. Candlelight’s mission is to draw a range of audiences into the world of classical music by creating an elevated experience with ballet duets, jazz bands, pianists, orchestras and more who perform music the audience can connect with.
It did just that. The audience was electric and lively, deviating from most classical music audiences.
The quartet invited audience members to cheer and applaud, noting that the concert wasn’t like a traditional classical music performance. Audience members gladly obliged, hooting and hollering after and even during each song.
“Oh, I’m scared!” said one audience member as the quartet began playing the “Halloween” main theme song.
But the hit of the night was “The Addams Family” main theme, in which the quartet asked for the audience’s participation in the classic snapping that accompanies the arrangement. The audience brought the energy, giggling and snapping enthusiastically, making the moment a highlight of the night.
The atmosphere didn’t disappoint, either. The historic theater, built in 1927, was the first neighborhood theater to show films with sound. Its interior was designed to resemble a Spanish garden, with the ceiling painted as the night sky and dawning twinkling lights to mimic stars. The auditorium also featured false balconies, arched windows, fake trees and gold accents, exhibiting a Spanish Churrigueresque style.
The theater’s outdoor feel was a popular style choice in the 1920s, but it is now the only remaining example of this style in Minneapolis. It is now used as a dinner theater and venue for special performances and events.
The intentional details sprinkled throughout the venue created a spooky vibe that couldn’t be missed. In addition to the hundreds of candles lining the aisles and staircases and filling the stage, the auditorium was decorated with cobwebs, pumpkins, orange twinkling lights and skeletons.
Guests could enjoy dinner before or after the show at the Uptown Lobby Bar and Restaurant, an upscale dining experience offering Spanish-inspired cuisine with a New World Fusion. The restaurant and cocktail bar is located at the entrance of the building and has a classy, sleek style with brick walls, white marble tables and gold accents.
The evening came to a close with a standing ovation from the audience, and guests were most enthusiastic when the quartet thanked them for supporting local live music.
This performance made it clear that Minnesotans are eager to support local artists. And the support they show builds an inspiring image of the importance of Twin Cities art.
Whether you’re a classical music fanatic or have never seen a live orchestra performance, this Candlelight concert was an immersive cultural experience that entertained guests of all ages.
If you’re looking for a romantic date night or niche evening out with friends, Candlelight concerts are sure to impress. There is a lineup of performances in Minneapolis scheduled for the coming months, including a Tribute to Taylor Swift night and Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons night in November.
You may even become a classical music fan yourself.
