Top 10 Best Nutcracker Gifts (according to us)

Top 10 Nutcracker Holiday Gift Guide

Megan Cain, General Manager

Ohio Dance Theatre

The holiday season is quickly approaching. For most ballet companies, December is their busiest time of year, and here at ODT, we are already well underway getting ready for our annual production of “The Nutcracker".

We LOVE all things “Nutcracker”, so in honor of our upcoming performance we’ve put together our Top 10 Nutcracker Holiday Gift Guide. This gift guide is sure to be your go to list for old and young alike, so print a few extra copies for your neighbor, co-worker and the old guy down the street (let’s be honest, there’s something on here for everyone).

1. Personalized Nutcrackers by KellyTuffleyDesigns $65 http://etsy.me/1a5HyLd

Who doesn't love a personalized Nutcracker. Plus it's hand painted.

2. Nutcracker pendant jewerly from a Scrabble tile by Home Studio $9 http://etsy.me/18WdD4e

It's a scrabble peice, it's a necklace. Versatility rules here.

3. Nutcracker “Clara” Gown: Custom made holiday pajamas by 7PineDesign $64 http://etsy.me/1fhrlnU

 ...because every little girl dreams of being Clara from The Nutcraker

4. Nutcracker Cookies by nikkiikkin $54 http://etsy.me/17KvW0k

These cookies are a work of art. Enough said.

5. Columbine/Harlequin Nutcracker Decorated Pointe Shoe by DesignsEnPointe $35 http://etsy.me/18WgVEz

What a creative way to upcycle a pointe shoe. It's green, really.

6. Nutcracker Apron by WellLaDiDa $50 http://etsy.me/1bVVu9S

It's retro, hand made and really fun.

7. PNB Mouse King Plush $19.95 http://bit.ly/17Dx4Fp

Yes. It's the Mouse King and he's kind of cute.

8. Nutcracker Character Mug $13.95 http://bit.ly/1a5Satm

Really just a party on a mug. A must have with your morning coffee.

9. Nutcracker Suite Musical Snow Globe $69.99 http://bit.ly/18Wwg8b

 We love this snow globe because it's classical and beautiful, kind of like us.

10. Nutcracker Mask Set by Mahalo $48 http://etsy.me/1dLp7Na

 A must have for children and adults alike who want to go home and act out the ballet. We highly reccomend it;)

So there you have it, Nutcracker's most wanted gift list. Feel free to consider this your official holiday guide. Now, for your enjoyment, a little preview of ODT's upcoming production. We hope to see you at our Spectacular performance of "The Nutcracker" Dec. 20-22 at Stocker Arts Center, LCCC. For tickets visit us at http://www.ohiodancetheatre.org/TICKETS.html. See you soon.

What’s Better than Ballet & Beer?

Megan Cain, General Manager

Ohio Dance Theatre

 

It was late July and I was sitting on my front porch thinking about the upcoming ODTseason. I was wondering about dance companies and how they could become more engaged in their community. Obviously our goal is to expand audiences, but it occurs to me that many view dance, particularly ballet as inaccessible.

The idea of Beer & Ballet is not new. I began to hear of dance companies using this concept as a way to reach new audiences about 5 years ago. The idea always intrigued me and felt this fall would be a good time for us to try the event. I approached Artistic Director, Denise Gula about the idea of a more intimate in studio event featuring our own company dancer’s choreography along with the idea of food and beer. Denise agreed that it was an opportunity to connect with our local audience in a new way.

The free in studio performance gives our dancers a chance to create their own choreography in a more intimate setting. The audience will have a chance to relax and enjoy the performance then mingle with the professional company dancers. I sat down to talk with the three company members who are choreographing for the upcoming event.

Monica Starr is doing a selection from Rimsky-Korsakov’s“Scheherazade”. Starr states, “Ever since I performed to Kathy Posin’s Scheherazade with the Milwaukee Ballet, I have loved the musical score. I consider this particular music selection, very exciting as it builds from the slow and sultry melody of the solo violin, into an impassioned musical explosion. I didn’t enter into choreographing the piece with a defined“beginning, middle and conclusion”, but more of a continual exploration that builds in determination, with an emphasis on group support. I love this piece; it shows me more and more each day. But what is most exciting is how the dancers take it and show it back to me in ways I didn't expect. And that is the great and exciting risk you take when choreographing.”

The second piece being choreographed is by company member, Jennifer Norris. “Choreographing is fun and a great experience for me. I learn how to work differently with people and how I can work to get what I want across to the dancers. The piece I chose to choreograph is about Spanish maidens that are heartbroken due to their men having to leave for war. The piece's intent is about "Love". That is the original title for the piece but I might change it. It has been such a pleasure to set this piece on the ODT dancers. The music is originally composed by Hayden Hinchman of Columbus. He made the music to my idea for the dance. The simple piano plays with the love strings of the heart and also takes you through the story.”

The last of the dancer choreographed works for the program is by Kasha Hilton. Hilton expresses, “My piece for Ballet, Brauts & Beer is inspired by my incredible summer spent at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Within in the program we had two classes called Improvisation, creating movement on the spot without pre-planning, and Creation, creating pieces of our own and collaborating with others to create viewable pieces. Both of which proved to be entirely out of my comfort zone at first. Once I was able to set aside the boundary of comfort and learn how to put myself into the two concepts, I was really able to allow movement to come to me naturally without much thought. Much of my piece is based off multiple phrases of improvisation that have been formed into phrases of workable choreography. It is a two minute piece set to an instrumental called “Convergence” by the rock band 30 Seconds to Mars. I did not necessarily choreograph to the music thinking of the concept of converging or with that specific title. As of now it is more of concept piece, where the music and the dancing creates what is seen, rather than a story line."

Ohio Dance Theatre’s fist Ballet, Brauts, & Beer is generously sponsored by Heidelberg Distributing Company.

Ballet,Brauts& Beer

Nov. 14, 6:30 pm

ODT Studio

39 S. Main Street, Oberlin OH 44074

Call 440-774-6077 to register.

NYCB principal dancer Daniel Ulbricht to Guest with ODT

 

 

 

 

 

DANIEL ULBRICHT of New York City Ballet

will be a special Guest Artist with ODT for the annual production of

THE NUTCRACKER

 

 

 

 

Daniel Ulbricht was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and began his dance training at the age of 11 at the Judith Lee Johnson Studio of Dance, studying with Lenny Holmes. He also studied at Les Jeunes Danseurs with Javier Dubraq and attended the Chautauqua Summer Dance Program, training with Jean Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. In 1999, Mr. Ulbricht was invited by the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, to continue his training during their Winter Program. As a student at SAB, Mr. Ulbricht performed with New York City Ballet as a Jester in Peter Martins' The Sleeping Beauty. In December 2000, he became an apprentice with New York City Ballet and in November 2001 he joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet. In January 2005, Mr. Ulbricht was promoted to the rank of soloist and principal dancer in May 2007.

 

Mr. Ulbricht is also the Artistic Director of Stars of American Ballet, formerly Daniel Ulbricht and Friends, a touring group that brings high-caliber dance to underserved markets in the United States and abroad. Dancers come from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet and more.

Ohio Dance Theatre is pleased to have Mr. Ulbricht as a guest artist in our 2013 production of The Nutcracker at Stocker Arts Center, LCCC. Performances are December 20-22. Call Stocker Box office at 440-366-4040 for tickets.

OHIO DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS CINDERELLA

Ohio Dance Theatre, Northeast Ohio's professional ballet company opens its' 2013 season with ODT Artistic Director Denise Gula's adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella.

 

Full of enchanting moments, vibrant dancing and visual appeal this beautiful, romantic and sometimes comical adaptation will sweep audiences off their feet when it returns to Stocker Arts Center, September 29, 2:00pm. Stocker Arts Center is located on the campus of Lorain County Community College, 1005, N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, OH.

Adapted from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale and performed to Sergei Prokofiev's beautiful score, the ballet tells the story of a young girl who is treated cruelly by her stepmother and ugly stepsisters. With the help of her fairy godmother, she is magically transformed and attends the royal ball where she attracts the attention of the handsome prince.

The company last performed Cinderella in 2003 but audiences will be treated to a freshly updated version according to Ms. Gula. "Often with full length ballets it's good to have some distance." stated Gula. "After all, the choreographer is just another kind of storyteller whose audience is treated to the vision the choreographer sees. There's certainly an intimate relationship between yourself and the dances you put on the stage", reflects Gula. "Like any relationship, it's always evolving, changing and hopefully growing," continued Gula. "A lot of the choreography has been reconstructed. There is more dancing and I think there is a better balance between characters."   Tickets for Ohio Dance Theatre's production of Cinderella can be purchased on line at Stocker Arts Center. Or by calling the Box Office at 440-366-4040 or 800-995-5222. Tickets $20-$30. This performance is made possible in part with public funds from the Ohio Arts Council, The Nord Family Foundation and the Community Foundation of Lorain County.   Currently celebrating its 21th Anniversary season, Ohio Dance Theatre, Northeast Ohio's professional ballet company presents classical and contemporary works with a strong theatrical element. Ohio Dance Theatre's principal artistic goal is to encourage the growth and support of serious dance through the presentation of exceptional performances, instruction and educational programs that enhance the community's quality of life. Ohio Dance Theatre receives operational support from The Ohio Arts Council and the Nord Family Foundation.

Master Class with Broadway Dancer Carolyn Doherty

Master Class with Broadway Dancer Carolyn Doherty
From Radio City Music Hall to TV, Film and Broadway Carolyn has done it all. Carolyn has worked with such icons as Twyla Tharp, Blake Edwards and Martin Scorsese.  She has danced leading roles in Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp’s “Movin’ Out” and Ms. Tharp’s “Come Fly Away”, “Boardwalk Empire,” and the soon to be released film “Winter’s Tale.”
This workshop will focus on learning original Broadway Choreography. Come to class warmed up. Studio will be available 30 minutes before class begins.
Class sizes are limited preregistration is required.
Friday May 10th Intermediate/advanced Level ages 15-21 4:30-6:00pm Class fee: $25
Location: Ohio Dance Theatre 39 S. Main Street, Oberlin, OH 44074

Saturday, May 11th Intermediate/advanced Level ages 10-14  10:00am-11:30 am Class fee: $25
Intermediate/advanced Level ages 15-21   12:00-1:30pm Class fee: $25
Location: Verb Ballets 3445 Warrensville Center Rd.
Shaker Hts, OH 44122

 

http://www.ohiodancetheatre.org/Promo_pages/MasterClassCarolynDoherty.html

You Have a Chance to Win one of Three Beautiful Gold and Diamond Jewelry Pieces -donated by Vandemark Jewelers.

You Have a Chance to Win one of Three Beautiful Gold and Diamond Jewelry Pieces
 -donated by Vandemark Jewelers.

Go to (http://www.ohiodancetheatre.org/GalaAuction/SilentAuctionItems.html) to see three beautiful gold and diamond jewelry pieces donated by Vandemark Jewelers. You need not be present to win!
Raffle tickets may be purchased on line through Friday, March 22nd.  Live drawing will take place during Ohio Dance Theatre's "Dancing with the stars Gala"
Saturday March 23rd. Winner will be contacted within 24 hours by phone.
$10 purchases you one raffle ticket for a chance to win your choice from the three pictured jewelry pieces donated by Jim Vandemark of Vanedmark Jewelers.
Purchase 3 raffle tickets for just $20.00

1.) Ladies yellow gold diamond journey pendant with a 20” 14karat yellow gold chain, weighing 1.7 grams-containing:
             ~ Seven (7) round brilliant cut diamonds, total weight  .50 carats.
                Replacement value:  $575.00
2.)  Ladies yellow gold diamond fashion ring weighing 3.9 grams-containing:
      ~ Seven (7) round brilliant cut diamonds, total weight approximately .20 carats.
      ~ Eight (8) baguette shaped diamonds, total weight approximately .20 carats.
                 Replacement value:  $550.00
3.)   Ladies 14 karat white gold diamond heart pendant with a 18” 14 karat yellow gold chain,
   weighing 2.2 grams-containing:
     ~ Sixteen (16) single cut diamonds, total weight .25 carats.
                  Replacement value: $425.00

All proceeds go to support Ohio Dance Theatre's performances and educational programs. Thank you for supporting our Local professional dancers!

For a more information about the Dance company and our programs visit www.ohiodancetheatre.org. Go to our facebook page facebook.com/ohiodancetheatre, like us and enter drawing to win tickets to upcoming performance of “Firebird”.
Have questions? Call ODt at 440-774-6077.



http://www.ohiodancetheatre.org/GalaAuction/SilentAuctionItems.html