The press release for the two upcoming Final Fantasy: Distant Worlds concerts contains the phrase "See Chocobo Dance". If that isn't enough reason to sum up why I am excited about the opportunity to see the music of my favorite RPG series performed live, I don't know what else would be. But in fact, there's more to the story.

A few years ago, the Final Fantasy Dear Friends concert took place on May 10th, better known as my birthday. The tickets sold out lightning fast, and I have regretted ever since that I was unable to go. Obviously, the answer to this is that I have to attend one of the two newly announced dates for Distant Worlds!

The first show is October 8th, 2008 and will be in Denver, Colorado. Of course that one is soon, so it may be too late to plan without crazy amounts of cash to throw around, but the second show has two perks: firstly, it's in April 2009 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and secondly, Nobuo Uematsu will be in attendance!

I went and checked and tickets are still available, so if you want to snag them before they run out, haul ass over to Ticketmaster now. I'll see you there!

[Via Original Sound Version -- Thanks, Jayson] 

Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy

Announces First Performances in Colorado and Michigan!

The Colorado Symphony and The Grand Rapids Symphony

October 8th, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. The Colorado Symphony in Denver, CO

April 14th, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. The Grand Rapids Symphony in Grand Rapids, MI

Experience the thrill as the Final Fantasy video game series’ iconic themes and video are presented live on stage for the first time in Denver and Grand Rapids. See Chocobo Dance, Hear Draco sing — your favorite melodies are brought to life on stage, in the beautiful Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver, and DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, including the full symphony orchestra, choir and special soloists. With over 100 world‐class performers on stage, under the direction of conductor and music director Arnie Roth, and featuring the magnificent concept artwork of Yoshitaka Amano, and the exciting exclusive video sequences from the legendary Final Fantasy series, this will be one of the largest video game concert experiences ever.

Nobuo Uematsu, legendary composer of the Final Fantasy series, will make a special appearance in person in Grand Rapids! A meet & greet VIP reception with Uematsu‐san and conductor/Music Director Arnie Roth immediately following the performance will be available to a limited number of fans at a special price, to include specially selected concert seating. Watch ffdistantworlds.com for information about a postconcert meet & greet.

Tickets for Colorado Symphony are AVAILABLE NOW BY PHONE by calling (303) 623‐7876 or online September 8, 2008 at http://www.ffdistantworlds.com/denver

Tickets for Grand Rapids are AVAILABLE NOW BY PHONE AND ONLINE by calling (616) 454‐9451, Ext. 4 and on sale online now at http://www.ffdistantworlds.com/grandrapids

Denver, CO
Wed, October 8th, 2008 7:30PM
Boettcher Concert Hall
Colorado Symphony
ffdistantworlds.com/denver

Grand Rapids, MI
Tues, April 14th, 2009 7:30PM
DeVos Performance Hall
Grand Rapids Symphony
ffdistantworlds.com/grandrapids

More details are available online at ffdistantworlds.com.

ABOUT NOBUO UEMATSU

Nobuo Uematsu is one of the most celebrated composers in the video game field. He has achieved global recognition for his work on the FINAL FANTASY series that has been performed by world‐class orchestras around the world. Nobuo Uematsu has been recognized as a major contributor in the increasing appreciation and awareness of video game music. The music from the game series has grown to such notoriety, Nobuo Uematsu was named as one of the “Innovators” in Time Magazine’s “Time 100: the Next Wave Music ” feature.

ABOUT ARNIE ROTH

Music Director and Grammy Award Winner Arnie Roth is well known in the world of video game music for his work with Nobuo Uematsu and Square Enix as Music Director and Conductor of the “Dear Friends: music from FINAL FANTASY,” “More Friends: music from FINAL FANTASY,” “VOICES: music from FINAL FANTASY,” as well as his role as Music Director and Conductor of “ PLAY! A Video Game Symphony.” For more information visit awrmusic.com.

ABOUT THE COLORADO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Established in 1989, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is the state’s only full‐time professional orchestra. Each season, the CSO performs a 21‐week Masterworks series of classical programs, as well as Pops, Family, Holiday and Summer Parks concerts, to approximately 220,000 patrons. Centrally located in downtown Denver, most performances are held at the Denver Performing Arts Complex in Boettcher Concert Hall. Visit coloradosymphony.org for more information.

ABOUT THE GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY

The Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. It is comprised of 50 salaried and 30 part‐time musicians, led by Music Director David Lockington and Associate Conductor John Varineau. Eight concert series and extensive education and community service programs are provided to the community with performances designed for young children through adults, featuring a wide range of repertoire. The Symphony sponsors the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, and also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. Visit grsymphony.org for more information.

ABOUT SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.

Square Enix Co.,Ltd.(Square Enix),with headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes, and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications inAsia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan’s best‐selling franchises FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 75 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 43 million units worldwide under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Visit square-enix.com for more information.