Twilight In Concert at the Van Wezel: A Night of Music, Magic, and Immersive Storytelling
On Friday, October 17, 2025, Sarasota audiences will step into the world of Twilight like never before. At the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the beloved first film of the saga will light up the big screen—but this time, the music will be alive all around you. Twilight: In Concert pairs the film with a live 12-piece ensemble performing Carter Burwell’s sweeping score in sync with the story, all set in a candlelit atmosphere that glows with mystery and romance.
For longtime fans of Bella and Edward’s star-crossed love, this is the ultimate chance to relive the saga’s magic. For music lovers, it’s a rare opportunity to experience film music as a living, breathing performance—where every note resonates more deeply, every theme gains new dimension, and the familiar story unfolds with renewed intensity.
At the heart of this experience is Shelbie Rassler, the tour’s brilliant Music Director.
The Twilight Experience, Reimagined
From the tender notes of Bella’s Lullaby to the high-voltage pulse of the vampire baseball scene, Burwell’s score is the heartbeat of Twilight. Now, audiences will hear that heartbeat live—strings soaring, percussion pounding, melodies weaving through the air in real time.
The Van Wezel stage will glow with the light of more than 1,000 candles, transforming the concert hall into something intimate and otherworldly. As the story of Bella and Edward flickers on screen, the music will surround you—drawing you deeper into the saga’s mix of danger, passion, and first love.
For Twilight fans, this is a dream come true: a chance to re-experience favorite moments with new emotional intensity. For concertgoers, it’s a showcase of film music as high art—equal parts cinematic and symphonic, nostalgia and innovation.
Meet the Maestro: Shelbie Rassler
Guiding this immersive evening is Shelbie Rassler, a composer, conductor, and producer who has already established herself as a force in the global music scene.
Rassler first rose to national acclaim during the coronavirus pandemic, when her viral social-impact music videos brought comfort and hope to millions. Her production of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “What the World Needs Now” earned her the CBS Sunday Morning Award and a feature conversation with Bacharach himself on CNN’s “The Fourth in America.” Since then, she’s been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Forbes, NPR, and more.
In 2024, Rassler led Sony’s Spider-Verse: Live in Concert National Tour as Conductor and Music Director, performing Daniel Pemberton’s exhilarating MARVEL score alongside the animated blockbuster for nearly 100,000 fans. That same energy, precision, and imagination now powers Twilight: In Concert.
Her resume is as eclectic as it is impressive: Music Director of the Vail Dance Festival, where she collaborates with Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw and the ensemble Brooklyn Rider; arranger and composer for icons including Yo-Yo Ma, Lara Downes, and Rhiannon Giddens; and creator of original works showcased at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Off-Broadway. Most recently, she directed the upcoming Winchell Cast Album with rock legends Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, and Billy Idol.
Her upcoming debut album, Portrait of an Unquiet Mind, explores the intersection of music and mental health, and will be paired with a PBS documentary and national education initiatives.
Why Her Twilight Matters
For fans of Twilight, Rassler brings passion and storytelling vision. She understands that music is the emotional core of the saga—the tension before the kiss, the fear in the forest, the exhilaration of falling in love against the odds. Under her baton, every note will feel like a heartbeat in Bella and Edward’s story.
For arts audiences, Rassler brings prestige and artistry. She has conducted at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and London’s West End. She bridges classical rigor with cinematic flair, creating performances that are technically flawless yet emotionally raw. In her hands, Twilight: In Concert becomes more than a movie—it becomes a live symphonic experience.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
- For Twilight Fans: This is your night to step back into Forks, WA, surrounded by the music and atmosphere that first captured your heart. Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team “just one more rewatch,” you’ll feel closer to the story than ever before.
- For Music Lovers: This is film music elevated to the concert hall. It’s a chance to witness how a score transforms on stage—how live musicians can make familiar themes more powerful, more immediate, more human.
- For Everyone: The Van Wezel, with its waterfront views and superb acoustics, sets the perfect stage for an evening that blends cinema, music, and memory. Add in the glow of candlelight and the artistry of Shelbie Rassler, and you have a performance that will linger long after the final note.
Curtain Call
On October 17, 2025, Twilight: In Concert will transform the Van Wezel into a place where music and magic meet. Guided by the extraordinary Shelbie Rassler, the performance promises to rekindle the emotions of a cultural phenomenon while showcasing the power of live music at its best.
Whether you come for the saga or the symphony, you’ll leave with both—the romance of Twilight reborn, and the thrill of music that moves beyond the screen to live within you.
👉 Tickets and VIP packages are available now through vanwezel.org
