SAN FRANCISCO – The Dance-Along Nutcracker is known as an event where the audience kicks up their heels to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, but it’s also a whimsical stage show featuring dozens of performers presenting humorous songs and choreographed dance productions. This year’s theme, ‘Blazing Nutcrackers,’ takes place in the Wild West and combines the best of the Nutcracker story with cowpokes, wranglers, and buckaroos.
“I’ll be playing ‘Nutty’ the Nutcracker who is part Don Knotts, part Lash LaRue, and a dash of Laurence Fishburne as ‘Cowboy Curtis’ (from Pee-wee’s Playhouse) thrown in for good measure,” said Trauma Flintstone, who is making a seventh starring appearance at the Dance-Along Nutcracker. “The Dance-Along is a great experience for children of all ages. They say life begins at forty, but I think life begins every time we get up and have fun. So, I encourage everyone who is young at heart to don a tutu and cowboy hat and join in the merriment.”
Performed by the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, the Official Band of San Francisco, the Dance-Along Nutcracker has become a Bay Area holiday tradition spanning twenty-four years and tens of thousands of attendees. More than a zany celebration, this is also the primary fundraiser for the Band, which performs at 15-20 concerts, parades and civic events throughout the year.
“The Band is an important part of the Bay Area community,” said Jadine Louie, the Band’s Artistic Director, “and the Dance-Along Nutcracker is one way that we unite children and adults from all walks of life. Musically we’re combining favorite holiday classics with popular Western songs, all of which tell an exciting story that will captivate the kids and amuse the adults. With performances by local favorites Trauma Flintstone and Leigh Crow, and dance numbers choreographed by Carolyn Carvajal, we have something to entertain everyone.”
Many audience members wear costumes related to the theme, which means Western wear for this year’s show. A tutu rental booth is available for those in need of a tutu or other finishing touches. “It’s great that this year’s show has a Western theme,” said choreographer Carolyn Carvajal, who has been associated with the Band for thirteen years. “We have sixteen dancers doing everything from ballet en pointe to line dancing! There’s a saloon hall number, dancing sheep, (hobby) horse riding, and a dance-off between the good guys and the bad guys. What other Nutcracker show has this?”
The Gala evening performance on Saturday, December 12, features a pre-show reception with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, sweets, champagne and wine from Barefoot Winery, and music by City Swing Big Band. Various levels of sponsorship are available for the Saturday night Gala as well as the daytime performances. Gala sponsors receive preferred seating, listing in the program, invitations to the Gala reception, special tutus, and holiday-themed surprises.
“City Swing will be performing well-known holiday standards as well as several new arrangements at the Gala,” said Bradley Connlain, conductor of City Swing. “We are most excited about playing the Les Brown big band version of the Nutcracker Suite. We feel honored to be part of this annual tradition which is so fun and campy and entertaining. Life can be serious so it’s great to come out and get your fix of camp for the holidays. Even if you don’t dance, you’ll enjoy listening to the music and watching the performers and audience.”
“Supporting the world’s first lesbian/gay Band is important in and of itself, but I really feel that there's something bigger going on here,” added Flintstone. “As more and more music programs are eliminated from schools, children no longer have access to musical instruments or even the sounds of these instruments. An entire generation is growing up never having heard a live (non-recorded) trumpet or bassoon or clarinet. Fortunately, the Dance-Along Nutcracker reaches out to children in a very real, direct, visceral way. When you see kids standing inches away from the musicians, mimicking the conductor, and dancing to some of the most beloved classical music, you know that they are experiencing the arts in a way that will stay with them the rest of their lives. Supporting this cherished institution is the most important thing you can do this holiday season.”
Dance-Along Nutcracker @ Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum (701 Mission Street)
Saturday December 12 at 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM (Holiday Gala).
Sunday December 13 at 11:00 AM 3:00 PM
Tickets: www.dancealongnutcracker.org | 415-978-2787
Prices: General admission $25; Children 12 and under and seniors $16; Holiday Gala $50. Group discounts of 20% for 10 tickets or more.General admission $25; Children 12 and under and seniors $16;
Holiday Gala Performance @ Yeba Buena Center for the Arts Forum (701 Mission Street)
Saturday December 12 at 7:00 PM
Tickets: www.dancealongnutcracker.org | 415-978-2787
Prices: Holiday Gala $50. Group discounts of 20% for 10 tickets or more.
Comments
I go every year and my kids love it. I love it, too. It will be fun dressing up like cowboys this year.
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