NASHVILLE BALLET ANNOUNCES DATE FOR ANNUAL NUTCRACKER TEA

Celebrate the Holidays with Nashville’s Nutcracker Tea on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University.

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Photo by Warner Tidwell

Nashville Ballet has announced the date for their annual Nutcracker Tea to be held on November 24 from 3 - 5 p.m. at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University. The highly-anticipated event serves as the official kickoff party of Nashville Ballet’s favorite holiday tradition, and raises much needed funds to support the School of Nashville Ballet’s Scholarship Fund. The funds raised from this event allow Nashville Ballet to award over $250,000 annually in merit and need-based scholarships, providing high-quality dance training to students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. 

This enchanting, family-friendly event, co-chaired by Leigh Adams, Crystal Churchwell Evans and Julie Galbierz, gives attendees the opportunity to experience the Sugar Plum Fairy's kingdom, the Mouse King, Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, up close and personal. The festive, Nashville’s Nutcracker-themed party brings the joy of the season by offering a shortened, interactive version of Nashville Ballet’s holiday classic, Nashville’s Nutcracker for little ones. The event is geared towards preschool to elementary ages, but all ages are welcome to join in what is sure to be the perfect way to celebrate this beloved ballet. 

“I am so thrilled to be co-chairing the Nutcracker Tea for its second year,” said Julie Galbierz. “Last year was such a magical experience for young families, helping kick off the festive Nutcracker season and establishing a new, beloved holiday tradition. This year, we’re planning to make the event even bigger and brighter, with more activities, special surprises and plenty of space for extra ballet magic. Leigh, Crystal, and I are also proud to be raising money for Nashville Ballet's scholarship fund, helping give the gift of dance education to deserving children regardless of age, background or ability.” 

Attendees will enjoy hot chocolate, treats, arts and crafts, and other whimsical activities. Featuring appearances by beloved Nashville’s Nutcracker characters, festive adult beverages and a professional photo opportunity, this event is a perfect way to spend the afternoon with the entire family.  

Nashville’s Nutcracker Tea tickets are on sale now and expected to sell out quickly. Visit www.NashvilleBallet.com/Nutcracker-Tea for more information or email Jack French, Events Manager, at jfrench@nashvilleballet.com. 

Tickets are also on sale to experience Paul Vasterling’s Nashville’s Nutcracker at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall from Dec. 6 - Dec. 26. Performances will include Nashville Ballet company dancers, Nashville Ballet’s Second Company NB2, a cast of youth students from School of Nashville Ballet and select community partners.

NASHVILLE BALLET PREMIERES SPECIAL PERFORMANCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Ballet Nights at Cadogan Hall in London, England Featured Nashville Ballet’s Finest

Photo credit: Deborah Jaffe

Nashville Ballet, the largest professional dance company in the state of Tennessee, recently made its highly-anticipated UK debut at Ballet Nights in London, England. Ballet Nights featured world-class dancers, emerging artists, modern masterpieces, new creations, legacy works, live music and spoken word at a brand new location for the series, Cadogan Hall.   

As part of the special evening, a brand new duet, LETO, created and choreographed by Nashville Ballet’s own Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin, was premiered and performed by two of Nashville Ballet’s most prestigious dancers, Sarah Pierce and James Lankford.  The work was scored by Maurice Ravel and was performed live by Ballet Nights’ in-house pianist, Viktor Erik Emanuel.

LETO was inspired by the poem of Henri de Régnier that Maurice Ravel gave homage to when he wrote this magical piece.

Photo credit: MA2LA

"Nashville Ballet was thrilled to partner with Ballet Nights for our London debut and our first return overseas in over 20 years," said Nashville Ballet Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin. "Seeing our dancers share a stage with some of the biggest names in ballet was an honor. It solidified that we are on the right path as a company. We truly are building something special here in Nashville. Something that can resonate around the world. I hope this helps our audiences locally realize the value of this organization and appreciate just how amazing the Nashville Ballet artists are.”

The Ballet Nights event was designed to celebrate live music and dance, featuring classical ballet, neoclassical and contemporary dance. 

“It was a huge honor to be entrusted with the very first London staging of a performance by Nashville Ballet,” said Ballet Nights Founder & Artistic Director Jamiel Devernay-Laurence. “Cadogan Hall audiences loved Nick Mullikin’s duet LETO which was performed by two of Nashville Ballet’s amazing dancers. Our virtuoso Ballet Nights pianist, Viktor Erik Emanuel, accompanied the dancers on Cadogan Hall’s Steinway with the lyrical piece, ‘Jeux d’eau’ by French composer Maurice Ravel. This exciting new development in partnering with Nashville Ballet at Cadogan Hall is also a statement of intent for Ballet Nights’ vision to create a free-flowing exchange of essential international voices for our audiences here in the UK, and for our developing audiences globally.”