11 Oct, 2009
California Goes Nuts About Nutcrackers
Posted by: Beach Reporter In: beaches| california| events
Californians love their Nutcrackers–both of them.
From the wooden carved gifts of fanciful toy soldiers suited in red jackets (that are more decorative than functional,) to the beautiful stage presentations of The Nutcracker ballet, there’s more than one nutcracker to adore. In fact, you’ll find thousands of nutrcrackers to buy or watch this season. Some appear in stores and others on stage. Each year as the nutty season shapes up shortly after the almond crops in California have been harvested, tryouts begin for local Nutcracker productions, and the larger ballet companies generally have their line-up of guest appearance dancers so they don’t miss out on some of the star talents. The best known Nutcracker is a traveling show that makes appearance usually in four or five cities in California each autumn around Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker this year will be appearing in Redding on Nov. 27; Cupertino - Nov.28; Fresno - Nov. 29; San Diego - Dec. 26; and Stockton - Dec.27. This stage performance is one of the longest running, most esteemed and presents the famed Moscow Ballet known for their world class productions and dancers.
But don’t overlook the California ballet talent. California’s ballet culture is serious business. Not only do the ballet companies of California produce some amazing artists, but many of the top dancers who eventually teach ballet gravitate to the ballet companies and schools in California, or form their own companies there.
While some out there tend to ho-hum their way through the winter holidays, The Nutcracker can be a pick-me-up, especially when you see stage presentations produced by The California Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet San Jose Nutcracker, Los Angeles Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Long Beach Ballet, and other esteemed ballet companies with great talents! Treat yourself to a big city ballet extravaganza to see what becomes of those little kids in your local town’s productions. You’ll gain a whole new understanding of what it’s about. Maybe you’ll even go nuts.
