Kids Culture: 'The Nutcracker,' Gingerbread, and More
“The Nutcracker” at Guild Hall
The Hampton Ballet Theatre School will present its ninth annual production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at Guild Hall’s John Drew Theater in East Hampton. The show opens tomorrow at 7 p.m., with additional performances on Saturday at 1 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Each year, this beloved production promises to transport audiences of all ages to a land where angels, snowflakes, and flowers dance. The ballet is choreographed by the school’s director, Sara Jo Strickland, and includes costumes designed and sewn by Yuka Silvera. Sebastian Paczynski is the lighting designer. Adam and Gail Baranello of A&G Dance Company will join the production as the Arabian Prince and Princess. Holiday Bovio and Jillian Hear will share the role of the Dew Drop Princess, and Beatrice DeGroot and Devon Friedman will dance the role of the Snow Queen. Samantha Prince will be the Sugar Plum Fairy. All four are advanced dancers with the school. Three additional guest artists will appear in the production: Nick Peregrino as Cavalier, and Nicholas Ranauro and James Monroe Stevko sharing the roles of the Snow King, Dew Drop Prince, and Marzipan.
Advanced ticket prices range from $15 to $45 and performance day tickets are between $20 and $50, depending on the seating section. Group rates for all performances are available for 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 888 933-4287, or online at hamptonballettheatreschool.com.
A Holiday Tree for the Birds
On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., the entire family can join Bridgehampton’s South Fork Natural History Museum’s annual tradition of making bird-friendly decorations for a holiday tree using seeds, suet, and dried fruits. Kids can learn about the importance of feeding wild birds during the winter on the South Fork, where development has hindered natural winter food resources for local birds. There is a materials fee of $5.
Holiday Spectacular
Camp SoulGrow’s Holiday Spectacular will be held on Saturday between 2 and 4 p.m. at the Camp SoulGrow studio on Carl Fisher Plaza in Montauk. The party, co-hosted by the Candied Anchor and the Clamshell Foundation, will include an appearance by Santa Claus. Kids can play games, enjoy candy and hot chocolate, make crafts and ornaments, sing karaoke, have a dance party, and wrap gifts to send to Puerto Rico. Although the event is free, donations are appreciated and will benefit Camp SoulGrow’s programs.
Body Scrubs, Gingerbread, Hot Cocoa
Things warm, toasty, and tasty are on the schedules at the local libraries this week, all with a healthy dose of holiday cheer.
Children 8 and up can stop by the Amagansett Library on Saturday at 3 p.m. to make three jars of a wintertime sugar body scrub: cucumber mint, lavender, and one custom blend.
The unmistakable scent of gingerbread will be in the air on Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Montauk Library as families work together to build gingerbread houses using cookie cutouts, royal icing, and lots of candy. Every family takes home a completed house, but space is limited to 15 families, so advance registration is required.
At the East Hampton Library on Sunday from 3 to 4:30 p.m., high school students can decorate a coffee mug and then fill it with candy to give as a gift or keep for themselves. Or, on Monday between 4 and 5:30 p.m. they can use the library’s collection of holiday cards from last year to make their own gift boxes.
Sixth through eighth graders will assemble hot cocoa kits on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Kids can chose ingredients for their ultimate hot chocolate from peppermint, mini-marshmallows, extra chocolate, or all of the above.
Next Thursday’s family movie at the East Hampton Library is “The Polar Express,” which will be shown at 4 p.m.
At the Hampton Library in Bridgehampton on Saturday from noon to 1 p.m., kids can decorate gingerbread cookies. Space is limited so registration is required. Also at the Hampton Library on Monday at 4 p.m., there will be a 3-D printing workshop for ages 7 to 12. After learning how the printer works, they will have the opportunity to print their creations.
Olive Oil for Hanukkah
Chabad of the Hamptons in East Hampton will be at the Children’s Museum of the East End next Thursday at 11:30 a.m. to share why olive oil is an important component of Hanukkah. Kids will learn how to use a traditional press and make olive oil together. The workshop is open to parents and caregivers with children of all ages. Admission is $12, free for museum members.
Young Cowgirls Set Sail
The participants in a Young Cowgirls theater workshop taught by Kate Mueth of the Neo-Political Cowgirls will showcase their talents in a performance on Monday at 7 p.m. in Guild Hall’s John Drew Theater. The girls, ages 8 to 13, have developed theater pieces based on their vision of the community and a plan to address a particular need they have identified in the ommunity.
Nutcracker: The Mash Up
Studio 3’s annual holiday production, “Mixed Nuts,” will inject a bit of “Beauty and the Beast” into Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” this year, with performances running Friday, Dec. 15, through Dec. 17 at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor.
The production incorporates jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop themes into the classical ballet. Performances will be on Friday, Dec. 15, and Dec. 16 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at dancestudio3.com or at the door.