This holiday season, the world of ballet is showcasing stories of passion, tradition, and community.
First Cache Valley Civic Ballet makes history with Brazilian dancer Lucas Castro, the company’s first Black Latino performer whose international experience and dedication bring an amazing heart to the performance. Then NBC4 Washington’s Tommy McFly steps into The Nutcracker with The Washington Ballet, learning iconic sequences and engaging with Artistic Director Edward Liang on ballet’s athleticism and community ties. Finally, Juilliard-trained dancer-turned-rancher Hannah Neelman, aka Ballerina Farm on social media, gets deep on her polarizing vision of life on a 328-acre ranch, raising eight children, while running entrepreneurial ventures.
Ready for more? Keep on scrolling!
Hannah Neeleman, a Juilliard-trained dancer turned farmer and social media influencer, has gained global fame by sharing her self-sufficient lifestyle at Ballerina Farm, a 328-acre ranch in Utah where she and her husband raise eight children. Combining traditional homemaking with entrepreneurial ventures, she captivates and polarizes audiences with her idyllic content, blending farming, family, and faith into a modern yet controversial portrayal of domestic life.
Photo Credit: Kim Raff for The New York Times
The San Francisco Ballet and the American Guild of Musical Artists are in last-minute negotiations over wages and protections for dancers and stage managers, with the contract set to expire on the opening night of the Nutcracker.” While the ballet assures that performances are proceeding as planned, the union warns that unresolved disputes could jeopardize the time-honored holiday tradition.
Photo Credit: Paul Chinn/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
This holiday season, Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s The Nutcracker features Brazilian dancer Lucas Castro, the first Black Latino dancer to perform with the company and a principal dancer with Utah Metropolitan Ballet. Castro, whose career spans international stages and includes two seasons with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, brings his passion for ballet and representation to the production, which has become a cherished Cache Valley holiday tradition.
Photo Credit: Cache Valley Civic Ballet
This year, Ballet West celebrates the 80th anniversary of its Nutcracker, America’s first version of the beloved ballet, choreographed in 1944 by founder Willam Christensen and recently named a “living historic landmark” by the State of Utah. Known for its rich history and innovative updates, the production remains a cornerstone of U.S. ballet, blending tradition with thoughtful modernization to keep it relevant and inspiring.
Photo Credit: Beau Pearson, courtesy Ballet West via Pointe
If You're Around This Weekend
The Club at Pasadera in Monterey is hosting an Artisan Holiday Market on Sunday, December 8, featuring handcrafted items, festive activities, and a meet-and-greet with The Nutcracker’s Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara. Tickets, starting at $25 for adults and $10 for children, include complimentary hot cider and access to a hot cocoa bar, with proceeds benefiting the Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre.
On Friday, December 6, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform an exclusive excerpt from their new production Grace on The Kelly Clarkson Show, set to Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday” sung by Jennifer Holliday. The sneak peek airs nationally, with New York City viewers tuning in on WNBC 4 at 3 p.m.
If You Feel Like Watching
NBC4 Washington’s Tommy McFly steps into the world of ballet, joining the dancers of The Washington Ballet as they guide him through iconic sequences from The Nutcracker. Along the way, he talks with Artistic Director Edward Liang to explore the athleticism of ballet and its deep ties to community, and teams up with Aimee Cho for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the magic of the stage.
If You Feel Like Listening
Life in the Finnish National Ballet Youth Company offers a balance of intensive training and real-world experience, preparing young dancers for professional ballet careers. Artistic Director Nicholas Ziegler sits down with the Ballet Help Desk to highlight the unique aspects of the program, including performance opportunities, structured compensation, and career development support.
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