CADANCE’S NUTCRACKER TURNS SWEET 16

Gaea Jess

Cadance Academy’s Nutcracker turns Sweet 16, and things couldn’t be sweeter as they gear up for their magical “Nutcracker” December production. This year we will see the return of the Peppermint Twists (Formerly known as Candy Canes). The cast of the Nutcracker has grown larger since last year. There will be a double casting of the Sugar Plum Fairy performed by Aries McDonald and Eliese Groeneveld, who are thrilled to achieve this part. Eliese had this to say about achieving the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy: “It has been a lot of hard work and discipline from taking several dance classes a week, ballet exams, private lessons as well practicing on my own to finally achieve the level of technique to perform this role. I have admired the dancers before me who have achieved this level of excellence, and I want to be a role model to the younger dancers. I want to inspire them the way other dancers have inspired me. It is truly an honour to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in this upcoming Cadance Nutcracker.”

Returning choreographer Allison Carey-Millet will be choreographing the Harlequin Dolls. Allison had this to say about being part of the Production: “I have been fortunate enough to be part of The Cadance Nutcracker in some capacity, whether choreographer, Mouse King or Mother Ginger, since the first show in 2006, as well as a proud dance mom of my two daughters who has also danced in the production for several years. It is a magical experience both on and off stage. It is truly a gift for these dancers to be part of a production like this! It has become a tradition for many families and a wonderful way to kick start the holiday season.”

A newcomer Nutcracker choreographer this year is Jennah Larkin, who has taught and choreographed with Cadance for many years and choreographed for musical theatre. Jennah had this to say about this new experience: “Over the years, I have enjoyed watching the Nutcracker as an audience member, and I am excited to be choreographing the Party Polka as well as performing as a Peppermint Twist.”

The two lead roles of the Nutcracker – Clara and the Nutcracker – are being performed by the talented Emily Mei and Tayah Strong. Tayah had this to say about getting the opportunity to perform the part of the Nutcracker: “Last year, the 2021 Cadance performance of The Nutcracker was my first glimpse into the intricacies of putting on a ballet that has such a rich traditional and historical value. Everywhere I looked, various individuals were contributing to the final product in endless forms. There were those in the neverending costume department, the organizers of countless props, the builders of the huge set, a massive collection of dancers of all ages with all forms/levels of experience, and course, the amazing director and choreographers such as Gaea and Laila pulling all the pieces together. I think this joining together of such a diverse community to create a truly unique performance every year makes the experience of being in the Cadance Nutcracker some of my most memorable moments. Not only has it astronomically grown my abilities of onstage performance, but it has also strengthened my skill set and an abundance of friendships created throughout rehearsing offstage. As December is nearing and rehearsals become more frequent, I am reminded that performance weekend is extremely exciting. Still, it is also the time spent in the studio in the months prior that is just as fun, where I get to dance with others every week while contributing to a larger group to dance with others every week while contributing to a larger group effort. Lastly, I see it as a true privilege to be dancing the role of the Nutcracker, something that would never have been possible without the constant support, acceptance, patience and education provided by every single individual at Cadance Academy, bringing me all the way from my first open level ballet class two years ago, to the present 2022 Cadance Nutcracker performance this December.”

Emily Mei says about getting the part of Clara: “I was shocked but thrilled when I heard that I would be this year’s Clara. I have wanted to since I saw Erin Nafthal perform the role in 2016. I remember being ten years old in Children’s Polka and watching her on stage. I was mesmerized. On top of the fact that she was a beautiful dancer, she also looked like me! Erin quickly became one of my idols and gave me hope that I could one day be cast as Clara because we are both Asian presenting. It has been a lifelong dream ever since.”

As the “Nutcracker” gets closer, Emily is very excited but also a little nervous; however, she hopes to see everyone come out to see the show.

Make sure you don’t miss out on this magical tradition, which will put you in the mood for the holidays! There will be two showings- December 10th at 6:30 pm and December 11th at 1 pm at the Festival Theatre in Wolfville. Get your tickets today! Tickets are available for purchase online via the ticket link at Cadance Nutcracker 2022. ❧

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ARDYTH & JENNIFER’S “THE LONGEST NIGHT” CONCERT

December 21st, 7pm at St. James Anglican Church, Kentville, N.S.

Submitted

What? A Winter Solstice Concert of music, stories, good friends and quiet joy.

Who? Harpists, singer-songwriters Ardyth & Jennifer with Pam Mason, Clara Whitman, Lynn Uzans and the Peng sisters.

When? 7pm, December 21st

Where? St. James Anglican Church, Kentville. Why? In aid of those in need of comfort and peace within our troubled communities.

The longest night of the year happens on December 21st when the earth is the farthest from the sun. This is the winter solstice and is an important time in many cultures. For over twenty years Celtic harpists and recording artists Ardyth & Jennifer have presented a quiet concert of music, stories and reflection at St. James Anglican Church in Kentville on this night. This evening provides a more contemplative, quieter celebration for those weary of the hectic rush of a commercial Christmas and the pressures of living up to society’s expectations. For the past few years, a sold-out crowd in a packed church has been a testament to the need for this type of peaceful event.

Traditionally, people feel more alone and mental health becomes fragile during the Christmas season when an

over-zealous holiday atmosphere seems to permeate everything. Not all families fit the common holiday image or can live up to perceived expectations. Those who have lost a loved one during the year feel an acute sense of disconnection. With Covid restrictions in place, Christmas celebrations have been very different over the past two years and we all experienced the stress of isolation and heightened expectations. This year we will once again be able to celebrate the joy of an in-person concert.

Ardyth & Jennifer’s original songs and distinctive style have taken them throughout the Maritimes and into Ontario and the New England States, where they have played folk festivals and concerts for over two decades. With five CDs of original songs and unique arrangements of traditional folk tunes, Ardyth & Jennifer have become well-known ambassadors for Nova Scotia throughout the Maritimes and beyond. The addition of Pam Mason’s solid, joyful bass and Clara Whitman’s creative violin for the Longest Night concert has made this event an important part of many people’s Christmas traditions.

The Longest Night concert will take place on Wednesday, the 21st of December at 7pm. Masking is encouraged and seating will be limited in order to keep some distance between audience members. Tickets will be available through eventbrite for $15 (with an additional surcharge of $1.29 for handling) or for $18 at the door. All proceeds will go to social outreach programs offered by St. James Anglican church in the heart of the valley. ❧ Tickets available at www.eventbrite.ca For more information email longestnightconcert@gmail.com

CLIMATE CIRCLES ARE RETURNING TO THE ANNAPOLIS VALLEY

Emily LeGrande

After nearly three years, Climate Circles, a climate action meeting space where those in attendance can bring their climate action ideas and find like-minded people with whom to work, is returning to the Annapolis Valley! In this decade of climate action window, we have until 2030; it is important to meet in person to energize, inspire and support each other as we determine what kinds of beautiful and necessary climate solutions we need here, in the Annapolis Valley. Will it be climate adaptation projects related to our historic dykelands? New community infrastructure such as community gardens, tree nurseries, public meeting spaces, a more frequent and free public transit system, a community-owned solar garden atop large buildings, restored and high-speed rail connections to Halifax, safe biking infrastructure, or energy-efficient retrofitted affordable housing? Perhaps it will be related to food security or food waste. It is clear that there is much to be done, and none can be done alone.

Climate Circles is only the first step, but an important one. One where we learn about each other: who has which interests and skills and networks are needed to bring which of these projects or others to fruition? And we learn about ourselves, too: What action areas are most interesting to me? What skills am I best suited to share with a group? And the best part is that while we may be hungry for action, coming together to learn about ourselves and each other in these ways is action, an action that we need to move through to get to these beautiful and necessary projects. And we might as well have fun doing it!

Join us this fall as we reconvene Climate Circles as a program of the Blomidon Naturalists Society.

Help us determine how Climate Circles will look moving forward by attending one of our reconnecting events, as much has changed since it first ran at the Wolfville Farmer’s Market in the winter of 2020. We are offering three sessions before the new year to assess community needs and connect with interested community members:

• December 6th from 7-9 pm online (email coordinator@blomidonnaturalists.ca to register) • December 11th from 2-4 pm at the Valley

Community Learning Association, Kentville

To learn more about Climate Circles and to donate to help make them happen, please visit blomidonnaturalists.ca/climate-circles.

Winter Wonderland

Ron Lightburn’s art cards are now available at locations throughout the Annapolis Valley: Endless Shores Books in Bridgetown; The Rusty Chandelier in Coldbrook; Tides Art Gallery, R.D. Chisholm and the Kings County Museum in Kentville; Absolutely Fabulous at Home, Coles Book Store and Saunders Tartans & Gifts in New Minas; The Port Pub and Sea Level Brewing in Port Williams; Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards in Wolfville. thelightburns.com