IonSound mixes classic with crazy

‘ ‘ ‘ Spandex and classical music are an unusual combination, but the IonSound Project isn’t… ‘ ‘ ‘ Spandex and classical music are an unusual combination, but the IonSound Project isn’t typical concert music. ‘ ‘ ‘ Born of a need to push classical boundaries in a contemporary direction, IonSound will invigorate the music scene through its Hometown Heroes program on Sunday, March 8. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘The appeal of IonSound,’ said Peggy Yoo, flutist and founding member, ‘is that it’s a contemporary chamber group trying to expand the limits of music by performing unusual scores, treading the line between popular and traditional music and collaborating with another art form.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ This weekend, IonSound will share the stage with KnotDance, a performance group that’s mission dedicates itself to ‘exploring the full scope of movement and the limits of the body as a performance tool.’ Needless to say, they all sound like fun dates. ‘ ‘ ‘ In every performance, Hometown Heroes included, IonSound explores local Pittsburgh composers, whose music demands to be appreciated uniquely. Dancers, poets and visual displays bring the music into sync with other art forms, often asking the audience to take the sound and transform it into something more.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Stephanie Rael, the group’s publicist and wife of percussionist Eliseo Rael, said, ‘They integrate different media with each other to make it into a more fully rounded experience.’ Music alone cannot capture everything, she said, so this ‘is a different way to engage the audience.” ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The pieces this weekend include John Adam’s ‘American Berserk,’ a ‘high-energy work for virtuoso pianist,’ according to his Web site. Dancers from KnotDance will need to push their bodies form the staccato bursts of notes in this piece. You’ll also enjoy Eric Moe’s ‘Superhero,’ setting the stage for seeing ‘Watchmen.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Those staying in Pittsburgh for spring break will be able to explore something unique to the area. At five bucks a pop for students, you’ve got yourself a fantastic date, and hey, you might just learn something new from KnotDance.