The Lindsey Stirling Christmas Program at Providence Performing Arts Center – December 14, 2021

Over the summer, one of the first concerts we covered after the pandemic canceled a year and a half of shows, was Lindsey Stirling’s Artemis tour. Full of songs off her original albums, including her recently released Artemis, she played a great show to a packed house in Boston.

Now, Lindsey returns to Providence, with “The Lindsey Stirling Christmas Program.” While it is still a show of violin playing and dancing (and occasional singing!), the show may be a little more accessible to casual audiences, as it is primarily covers of classic Christmas songs.

Lindsey and a quartet of dancers enter the stage to their first number, a cover of Mariah Carrey’s “All I want for Christmas is You.” As much as that song may be over-played, hearing the unique way Stirling performs it is very enjoyable. The way she’s able to play the violin as well as she does while dancing all around the stage is baffling.

The visual spectacle of the show never ceases to amaze. Backup dancers joining her, various costume changes, and world class performer Eric Jackson, dressed as a Christmas tree, are just some of the highlights. At one point Lindsey and two other musicians go to the front of the stage, playing child-sized instruments, and played a medley of Christmas songs like “Joy to the World” and “Deck the Halls,” which culminates with her playing “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on said tiny violin. During her encore performance of “I Wonder as I Wander,” Lindsey flies over the stage while wrapped in a rope trapeze, still playing the violin gracefully.

Whether you’re familiar with Lindsey’s act or not, The Lindsey Stirling Christmas Program is a holiday tour that will entertain audiences of all ages.