Dancing with the Nutcracker

Last year (too late) we heard about an event that Ballet Met hosts called Dancing with the Nutcracker.  The gist of it is that kids can come, see some set pieces, and hear the story of the Nutcracker read--while some of the dances are performed in front of them.  It sounded great, so we decided to try it this year.

We all headed to downtown to the Ballet Met studios and the place was packed!! Amara got her red dots for her cheeks--just like the soldiers--and we headed to the studio, first to color, then dance.

All the kids were whirring about when the story would give direction to do a certain move or take action.  Amara particularly liked the snowing simulation that used paper streamers that we all waved in the air, first slowly then fast.  Cora, on the other hand, just did a little breakdancing while the others were more structured.

When it was time to settle down though, the girls took their seats.  They watched the mouse king scene, the Chinese doll, and they loved the pages--who seemed to be just a wee bit older than Amara!

Just as quickly as it had all started, it was also over.  The story ended with the kids all lying down on the floor and going to sleep--Cora even slid down into my lap and closed her eyes, it was too cute! 

All the kids jumped up, applauded, and raced to the doors to get their shoes on and go see some of the cast in the lobby.  Amara wanted to see the giant nutcracker, while Cora wanted no part of him.  None of them got close enough for photos, but it wasn't like a bad Easter bunny scene or anything :) They both went skipping out to the car and we all really had a fun time with it and hope to do it again. What a great community event.