Holiday Arts Guide: Nutcrackers, tap, rhythm, a bit of Irish and a shuffle

Kathy Berdan, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·4 min read

Nov. 27—It's not all Nutcracker, but there's plenty of Clara and her soldier-doll for the holiday dance season. There's also tap, a cabaret, and loads of reasons to stomp the snow off your own shoes and take a seat.

All of the shows featured here require COVID protocols, including masks, proof of vaccination or a negative test.

Continental Ballet Company's Nutcracker

Dec. 9-12: The Continental Ballet Company's Nutcracker is a traditional staging with professional dancers and will be performed for a limited run at the Schneider Theatre in the Bloomington Center for the Arts before going on tour. According to Continental Ballet, it's a full-scale classical production, but the narrative varies slightly from the original story — there's no battle scene. It's a friendly encounter with rats instead of a fight. In a news release, founder/director Riet Velthuisen says, "There is enough violence in the world today. I don't want it to be part of the ballet." 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington; $25 for adults, $19 for seniors and students, $13 your younger than 13; continentalballet.com or 952-563-8562.

Holiday Celebration Cabaret

Opening Dec. 3: Collide Theatrical Dance is celebrating in its recently renovated cabaret performance space in St. Paul. The dance company promises dance storytelling and live music set to a festive score of holiday favorites — dancers are joined by a vocalist and a live band. Performances are Dec. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12. Tickets are $45-$20 and include a complimentary beverage. Collide's new performance space is at 755 N. Prior Ave., Suite 235H. For tickets and showtimes, go to collidetheatrical.org or call 651-395-7903.

Metropolitan Ballet's 'Nutcracker'

Dec. 11-12: Metropolitan Ballet is dancing its 15th year of "Nutcracker." The performance features a live orchestra and the original Tchaikovsky score. Boishoi ballerina Natalia Sheptalova will be featured. Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Lindbergh Center Auditorium, 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka. Tickets are $79-$29; metroballet.org or 952-937-1387.

Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker

Dec. 17-22: This is the 57th year that Minnesota Dance Theatre has presented founder Loyce Houlton's "Nutcracker Fantasy." The six performances featuring MDT's company and students will feature the 44-piece Nutcracker Orchestra conducted by Philip Brunelle. State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; tickets are $125-$15, available at the State Theatre box office or online through Ticketmaster. (mndance.org/)

Rhythmic Circus: 'Holiday Shuffle'

Dec. 18: Four tap dancers and an eight piece band of instrumentalists and vocalists that make up Rhythmic Circus present holiday tunes in song and dance mode in "Holiday Shuffle." The one-night performance is at Masquerade Dance Theater at the Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Burnsville. Tickets are $50-$30 (plus fees), available at the box office or through Ticketmaster. (ames-center.com)

Twin Cities Ballet's 'A Minnesota Nutcracker'

Dec. 9-12: This Nutcracker has a Minnesota twist as Twin Cities Ballet returns with "A Minnesota Nutcracker." According to TCB, since "Minnesota Nutcracker" started in 2003, it's been seen by more than 6,000 people over its one weekend of performances. The ballet company is also offering a one-hour Mini-Nutcracker at Lakeville Area Arts Center on Nov. 30. Twin Cities Ballet has new sensory-relaxed performances for people with sensory sensitivities and families with young children. The Dec. 9 morning show is sensory-relaxed. Performances are at Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville, Tickets are $40-$30, available at the box office or through Ticketmaster. (ames-center.com)

Who Brought the Humbug?

Dec. 10-19: Ricci Milan and the artists of Rhythm Street Movement are back with "Who Brought the Humbug?" at the Cowles Center. The show features "live music paired with amazing tap dance and a unique mix of comedy, drama, and mystery," according to the Cowles. Performances are in the Goodale Theater at the Cowles Center for the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Tickets are $75-$35, with VIP options available. (thecowlescenter.org)

'Nutcracker in Wonderland'

Dec. 11-12: Ballet Co.Laboratory brings back its Nutcracker/Alice in Wonderland mashup: "Nutcracker in Wonderland." Clara meets Wonderland characters as the two tales come together with Tchaikovsky's score. Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota Campus, 2128 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis. Tickets are $35-$25, with group rates available; balletcolaboratory.org.

Celtic Holiday Hooley

Dec. 10-18: The O'Shea Irish Dancers step up with live music for this annual show, which features Irish music, stories, sketches, step dance, caroling and more at Celtic Junction Arts Center, 836 Prior Ave., St. Paul. Tickets are $25, or free for 18 and younger. (celticjunction.org) The hooley happenings also take a trip out to the west metro, with performances Dec. 19-21 at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. (chanhassendt.com)