Albemarle Ballet's Funcracker Variety Show!
Sunday, January 3, 3:00pm
The Funcracker Variety Show, featuring an abridged Nutcracker, will be held at Western Albemarle High School this weekend. This mid-winter holiday flavored production is presented by Albemarle Ballet Theatre (ABT) and Studio for the Performing Arts (SFTPA) with the help of artists playing pro bono for this benefit. Proceeds from this family-oriented show will go to the “Dancing Off The Streets™” need-based scholarship fund.
Bobby Read of the Bruce Hornsby Band and his band Igniter will open this holiday celebration, playing an old favorite along with a couple of original jazz pieces. Accompanying Bobby are Ian Lawler on guitar, Randall Pharr on bass, and Brian Caputo on drums. Scintillation Fire Troupe, a Charlottesville based Artistic Fire Dance Troupe, will light up the stage. Veronica Hart will perform a solo from “Esmeralda” and introduce new pieces of original choreography. There will be other dancers, a vocalist, and violinist rounding out this 1½-hour extravaganza.
One lucky child will win a Ballet Birthday Party valued at $500. ABT donated the party being raffled off by SFTPA to raise money for their scholarship program. Children will wear real costumes in a 1-hour ballet class taught by Sally Hart, share 3 large pizzas donated by Sal’s, birthday cake, soft drinks, and more. The drawing will be held during the intermission.
The show will close with main scenes from The Nutcracker performed by ABT dancers and guest artists Tyrone Cooper and Rachel Terry of Charlottesville Ballet who will perform the Grande Pas de Deux.
At $9 for adults and $5 for children and seniors, this ray of sunshine will warm up your New Year. Tickets are available online, at WAHS on show day, or at Albemarle Ballet Theatre. For more information call 434.823.8888, email Dance@aBallet.org, or visit Albemarle Ballet Theatre online.
