Photos by Chris Besaw
Review by Kelly Besaw
Lindsey Stirling brought her Snow Waltz Tour to the Stanley Theater in Utica, NY Saturday evening. Despite it being a cold, rainy night, fans packed into the theater for a nearly sold-out show.
The show kicked off a few minutes after 8pm as Stirling and her backup band and dancers took the stage and performed a masterfully choreographed version of “Sleigh Ride.” For anyone who has never seen Stirling and company live, it is not a typical concert, it is so much more. I should mention that I played the violin when I was younger and cannot even fathom playing upside down while doing aerial spins on a ring or while performing the intricately choreographed dance moves that she manages to pull off while playing. She also does a good job of making it look effortless even though I cannot fathom the amount of concentration it takes.
Stirling who has appeared on both America’s Got Talent and Dancing with the Stars is an accomplished violinist and dancer who also tells sings and tells stories between songs. The overall performance has a bit of a variety show feel but with an overarching cohesive theme. She paused to compliment the Utica audience on their energy multiple times which eventually culminated in her inviting the crowd to participate in one of her famous TikTok videos. We all got to help with some coordinated finger snaps that will ultimately create something interesting I’m certain. The TikTok video creation is just one way Stirling connects with the fans. She also paused the Christmas festivities for a moment to sing happy birthday to an ecstatic audience member.
The performance included well-known holidays classics, including “Let it Snow,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Holy Night,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and more. We were also graced by appearances from her manager Erich Jackson, dressed as a Christmas Tree grumpily assisting with requests from Stirling to hold her violin or entertain the audience during set changes. Jackson delighted the audience with witty placards, some pretty bad singing and a less than stellar but hilarious performance on the aerial ring.
Stirling’s message throughout the evening was positive and focused on belief in a higher power, angels, and that everyone is important. She ended the evening talking about one of her favorite movies, It’s A Wonderful Life. She stated that she, “loves the message that everyone’s life matters and that we have an impact even if we don’t realize it.” She closed out the main set with “Magic” reminding the audience that there is a little magic in all of us.
There are still several opportunities to catch Lindsey Stirling on the Snow Waltz tour. I highly recommend seeing her live. It is a performance like none other I have seen.
Setlist:
Sleigh Ride
Christmas C’mon
Jingle Bell Rock
Warmer in the Winter
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Joy to the World
Yuletide Regale
Happy Birthday to You
O Holy Night
Angels We Have Heard on High
Crystallize
Snow Waltz
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Santa Baby
You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
Ice Storm
Carol of the Bells
Magic
Encore:
I Wonder as I Wander
Click on photo below to view photo gallery.
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