Video Games Live hits the road in 2008

The Video Games Live concert series is undergoing a massive expansion. After having announced in October more than 25 tour dates to round out the rest of 2007 and kick off 2008, VGL organizers have unveiled 40 shows slated for 2008.

While previous performances have been limited to the US, Canada, and the UK, today's lineup indicates the VGL symphony will be establishing its presence on a more global scale, with performances slated for Italy, France, Germany, China, Taiwan, Mexico, and a Carnival Cruise Ship. Two tour dates of particular import include stops at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco on February 22, as well a show in Leipzig, Germany, on August 20 to kick off the annual Games Convention.

The VGL orchestra will be collaborating with a number of symphonies on its upcoming tour, including the San Diego Symphony, the Vancouver Symphony, and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. As in the past, shows will feature a range of arrangements from classic franchises, including Mario, Zelda, Halo, Chrono Cross, and BioShock, and will incorporate stage-show production sequences, lighting and visual effects, and audience participation segments.

The Video Games Live official Web site has more on the concert series.

A full list of upcoming VGL stops is listed below.

Orlando, FL--January 24--Hard Rock Live
St. Louis, MO--January 26--Fox Theater
Montreal, QC--February 7--St. Denis Theatre
Montreal, QC--February 8--St. Denis Theatre
Toronto, ON--February 9--Massey Hall
FT. Wayne, IN--February 15--Embassy Theatre
Edmonton, AB--February 17--Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
San Francisco, CA--February 22--Nob Hill Masonic Center
Milwaukee, WI--March 1--Riverside Theater
Phoenix, AZ--March 7--Maricopa Center
Mexicali, Mexico--March 15--Plaza Calafia Bullring
Ogden, UT--March 27--Browning Arts Center
Salt Lake City, UT--March 28--Abravanel Hall
Salt Lake City, UT--March 29--Abravanel Hall
New York City, NY--April 26--Beacon Theatre
Las Vegas, NV--June 14--Henderson Pavilion
Austin, TX--July 11--Long Center
Austin, TX--July 12--Long Center
Louisville, KY--July 18--Kentucky Center for Arts
San Diego, CA--July 24--Embarcadero Marina Park
Taipei, Taiwan--August 9--Pan-Chiao Stadium
Taipei, Taiwan--August 10--Pan-Chiao Stadium
Leipzig, Germany--August 20--ARENA Leipzig
Birmingham, AL--October 9--Jefferson Conv. Complex
Vancouver, BC--October 29--Orpheum Theatre
Carnival Cruise Ship--November 14--Normandy Lounge
Seattle, WA--January 24--Paramount Theatre

The following destinations carry to-be-announced concert dates.

Anaheim, CA
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Brazil (multiple cities)
Dallas, TX
Glasgow, Scotland
Houston, TX
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles, CA
Milan, Italy
Paris, France
Shanghai, China
Winnipeg, MB