Parents: Watch the kids’ eyes grow wide when you tell them you’re (voluntarily) going to a video game show!

Music from the greatest video games of all time — including Mario, Halo, Warcraft, Final Fantasy, Sonic, Kingdom Hearts, Pokemon and Skyrim — will be performed live by the N.C. Symphony this Friday.

Also featuring the Classic Arcade Medley and the Tetris Opera, the award-winning show is a mix of live action, synchronized video footage, interactive segments and stirring musical themes conducted by Emmanuel Fratianni, and includes the Concert Singers of Cary.

Video Games Live takes place on June 7 at 8 p.m., at Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh. Pre- and post-show activities include a Guitar Hero competition, costume contest, interactive game demos and meet-and-greet with top game composers and designers.

See the Social Calendar entry for more details.