Clement Joly and Tatiana Kazakova,premier instructors and co-owners, Metropolitan Ballroom. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Experience the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) (a Knight Arts grantee) in a new way with the rhythm and movement of the Metropolitan Ballroom dancers at 7:30 p.m. on January 25 at the Knight Theater. “Ballroom!” will showcase the music and dance of the waltz, rumba, samba and tango with Jacomo Rafael Bairos conducting. Select highlights include Struass’ “Voices of Spring Waltz” and Piazzolla’s “Libertango.”

This concert is part of the KnightSounds series, which seeks to invigorate classical repertoire with innovative events and interactive experiences. “Ballroom!” will not only feature the Metropolitan dancers, but musicians and audience members alike are encouraged to wear their fanciest shoes and participate in an after-concert dance party in the Knight Theater lobby. “Ballroom, with its Fancy Shoe Night and post-concert party, is a fantastic way to take a live classical music experience and make it current and fun for a new generation of listeners,” notes Elizabeth Rennie, member of the CSO Pulse board.

This innovative concert idea came out of a previous collaboration between CSO and the Metropolitan Ballroom. Tatiana Kazakova and Clément Joly, co-owners and premier instructors of Metropolitan Ballroom, performed the mambo from “West Side Story” in the CSO’s Tangos and Tapas concert in February of 2011. “Ballroom!” takes this collaboration to a whole new level fully fusing the two art forms in a unique performance.

As with every KnightSounds concert a cocktail and light hors d’oeuvre hour precedes the concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Knight lobby. Tickets are $39 for the concert and include a free drink, food and the post concert event.