By Lookout Staff

August 9, 2012 -- The musicians who provide the innovative sounds for Cirque du Soleil's award-winning shows will take center stage at Thursday evening's free Twilight Dance Series Concert at the Santa Monica Pier.

Usually invisible in the orchestra pit, the PARADE Collective, comprised of musicians and singers from Cirque du Soleil, will step up to the spotlight to showcase original music and arrangements from the popular shows.

The term "PARADE" a French acronym for a program to aid in the artistic realizations of the employees, will further that mission Thursday night, according to Cirque du Soleil’s Cultural Action Department, which is presenting the show.

"These accomplished artists, who perform live nightly in a Cirque du Soleil production, will demonstrate their high degree of creativity and passion by performing their own original music compositions and arrangements for this very special concert," Cirque officials said.

The collective includes those who have played with major musicians, taught at universities and played venues from Las Vegas showrooms to symphony halls.

The band features musicians from as nearby as LA and Santa Barbara and as far away as Africa, Canada and Norway. One of the featured acts, Vox Indigo, bills itself as hailing "from the four corners of the globe."

The Thursday night concerts are emceed by DJs from 89.9 FM KCRW, the media partner for the Twilight Concert Series.

Concertgoers are encouraged to take the Big Blue Bus. Parking will be available in the lot north of the pier at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, however parking on the Santa Monica Pier deck will be closed.

The City of Santa Monica will provide a free bike valet, stationed on the beach next to the bicycle path on the south side of the pier.

More information about the Twilight Concert Series can be found at twilightseries.org.