Like many girls through countless generations, I wanted to be a ballerina. The closest I got to that was when my Aunt gave me an old pair of her point shoes to play with. I thought they were so amazing. The Red Shoes is one of my favourite films too. However, I was never really ballet dancer material.
Sadly since I was never one of ‘those’ moms who pushed and sent their kids to dance lessons from an early age, neither are my kids. Caity did a bit of preschool ballet when she was wee and she LIVED in tutu’s. Tara was always more keen on just being a princess.
Caity was always more keen as an artist but appreciated ballet for the fashion.
Another example of the daily ballet fashion from a young Caity
But.
I remember seeing The Nutcracker as a kid and loving the mix of Christmas magic with beautiful ballet.
Goh Ballet Company, an institution here in Vancouver since 1978 has been performing this classic for six years now and it get bigger and better every time. The achievements of the organization’s dancers at international competitions, and the visibility of its graduates who fill the ranks of world-renowned companies, continue to prove the Goh Ballet is a cultural ambassador on world stages.
Back in May, the Goh Ballet held a day long audition for the more than 200 dancers need for this year’s production. The dancers range from six years old to adult professionals like Paloma Herrera, principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre in New York, guesting as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Dmitri Dovgoselets, a soloist with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Along with Paloma, audiences will also witness the Vienna International Dance Competition’s grand prix winners, Chuanya Yu and Haidong Zhang from China’s prestigious Liaoning Ballet, who will be making their Canadian debuts in the roles of the Snow Queen and Snow King.
This years run starts on December 18 at The Centre at 777 Homer St. (Across from the VPL), and runs to the 22nd. Ticket prices range from $28.00 to $83.25 and are available through Ticketmaster, by calling 1-855-985-2787 or by visiting gohnutcracker.com
The Nutcracker is a classic for the Christmas season. Take in this local companies version and enjoy the magic.
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