Visions of Sugarplums

Its been a years since I tied up my pointe shoes and stepped onto stage to the strains of Tchaikovsky ageless masterpiece, but Saturday brought all the magic back!  It was the first time Id seen the Nutcracker in years and for the first time time, I had my tiny dancers beside me looking on in awe and wonder.  After sitting in the wings as a company dancer watching countless productions of the Nutcracker in Atlanta  and having seen the Bolshoi Ballet perform in an intimate theater in Kiev.  I can honestly say that the fabulous Columbia City Ballet rivals any performance Ive seen before under the supurb tutelage of artistic director William Starrett.   I was profoundly impressed!

Our day Saturday began by opening 

our "Advent" surprise = Tickets to a Nutcracker tea party and performance.

The girls spent the morning dolling up with their finest dresses.....a touch of "rouge"....and hot rollers and lots of hairspray (my stick-straight-haired girls cant get over wanting curls!)  They asked for their special box that Mommy keeps their silver lockets and pearl bracelets in.  Oh the anticipation!!!

 My little belles-of-the-ball were so excited!

Abi and our friend Rachel

We were guests at an afternoon mother-daughter tea before the performance in the Koger Center for the Arts grand ballroom where cookies, cupcakes and peppermint tea (complete with cream and sugar of course) were served in real porcelain tea cups.  

The Nutcracker story was read which gave the girls a wonderful background to understand the mystery behind the magic.  

Special guests arrived....dancers Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Uncle Drosselmeier and Nutcracker Prince posed for pictures with little girls and signed autographs on their programs.  What could be more fun than a "Character Breakfast" at Disneyworld?....this!  

And a pretty-penny less expensive too!!

If you are fortunate enough to live in the Columbia area, there will be another tea party next Saturday.  I highly recommend this as a special mother-daughter date that will be a life-long memory.

In fact, I had flash backs my own childhood.  When Evie (3) ended up on my lap during the performance yesterday because she didnt weigh enough to hold her spring-hinged seat down, :) I remember the same problem and climbing up on my own mom's lap during The Nutcracker at the fabulous Fox theater in Atlanta as a young thing!  

Every little girl remembers her first ballet!

The performance was refreshingly original with unique spins on a classic tradition.  The Columbia City Ballet maintained the timeless Petipa/Ivanov choreography for the  Sugar Plum Fairy, while bringing in creative diversity to classic dances we all know and love.  Two hours of sheer delight and entertainment!  

The snow scene remains my favorite - astounding!

The girls were spellbound watching Mother Ginger and her Bon-Bons, Arabian coffee and the Chinese tea peddlers dance and twirl gracefully across the stage.  

Absolutely priceless memories!

Next weekend are the last performances if you are interested.  Matinee and evening performances Friday & Saturday and matinee on Sunday.  Call Lauren to book your tickets or inquire about the Nutcracker tea.

803-799-7605

803-777-9728

Im several years older and not as light on my feet :) but Im inspired to find an adult ballet class...how I miss it!  My girls have been dancing pas de deaux (taking turns being the boy) non stop. Pretty sure we will all be sleeping with "visions of sugarplums".