This past weekend, Arts Umbrella School of Dance presented its annual student showcase, Mixed Nuts, at the Vancouver Playhouse.
Adding a contemporary twist to Tchaikovsky’s timeless classic, The Nutcracker, the Mixed Nuts show gets an update each year, as past graduating classes make way for new Grad, Senior, Apprentice, Professional Training and Pre-Elementary Dance Companies. With local choreographers and the dancers aged 12-22 combining their talents, from hip-hop, to ballroom, jazz and ballet, Mixed Nuts is one of the most entertaining shows of the holiday season. The variety of dance styles and the familiar pieces and Tchaikovsky’s music from The Nutcracker also incorporates the swinging music of Benny Goodman, Hip Hop from Missy Elliot, R&B of Ray Charles, compositions from Charles Gounod, Russian Folk Music, and more.
The School of Dance also creates dozens of costumes for the classic roles of Clara, the mystic Drosselmeyer, Sugarplum Fairy, the Nutcracker, Cavalier. It’s not all Nutcracker, the performance also hosts sweet Candy-land inspired tour around Vancouver with pieces including lollipops, gingerbread people, candy canes, Hershey kisses, licorice All-Sorts, ribbon candy, sugar plums, and others. Responding to the effervescent performances the exuberant audience, filled with many of the artists’ family-members, makes for a most supportive and festive atmosphere.
Mixed Nuts, along with The Arts Umbrella’s Theatre, Music & Film Students’ Winter Short Festival are entertaining hits to add your holiday entertainment roster. Find out all about Arts Umbrella’s School of Dance and other programs; Art & Design, Theatre Music & Dance or Early Learning and Spring/Summer Break Programs and keep your eye out for the 2024 Mixed Nuts on artsumbrella.com.