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The Grand Rapids Ballet performs "The Nutcracker."
BY ALLIE OUENDAG AND ELIZABETH LISTERMAN
The Grand Rapids Ballet’s traditional holiday performance of “The Nutcracker” will return to the stage virtually this season due to COVID-19-related safety concerns.
Viewers will be immersed in a prerecorded artistic performance that combines ballet with cinematic elements for a reimagined version of “The Nutcracker” fit for audiences’ screens at home.
“Each program will be filmed on stage at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre with costumes and lighting, and then edited together in a video presentation that emulates the live experience of attending the Grand Rapids Ballet, including preshow talks with the creative artists and other behind-the-scenes content for our subscribers,” said James Sofranko, Grand Rapids Ballet artistic director.
This is the first time audiences will experience “The Nutcracker” virtually; however, the company feels it is important to carry on the tradition despite the circumstances.
“‘The Nutcracker’ is such an important part of so many families’ holidays and it just wouldn’t be the same without it. This is also true for the dancers; most of us have performed every year in a version of the ballet since childhood,” said Sofranko. Viewers will be able to access the program for 36 hours after the time of purchase and it can be watched as many times as the viewer likes during that period. Ticket cost and availability can be found at the Grand Rapids Ballet website.
Canopy by Hilton checks in Grand Rapids added another beautiful hotel to its downtown skyline with Canopy by Hilton, which opened its doors earlier this year in the Studio Park development. Canopy takes great pride in paying homage to Grand Rapids’ history by celebrating past and present furniture designers with its unique artwork and mid-century modern design.
Canopy features two restaurants, Portico and Knoop. Knoop is a rooftop bar with cuisine inspired by Grand Rapids’ Dutch and German roots. The hotel is in the heart of downtown and encourages visitors to get to know the city by offering Canopy bikes to tour the city, as well as showcasing local products in its amenities.
Local reads Grand Rapids welcomes a new local author into its midst. Christopher Cosmos, a resident of Grand Rapids and an alum of Lowell High School and the University of Michigan, unveiled his new book, “Once We Were Here,” in October.
Cosmos’ book features a story that takes place during World War II in devasted Greece where “an epic love story unfolds amidst chaos and disaster.” Cosmos’ story encompasses the beautiful nature of heroism, sacrifice, family values and national pride and how a story of survival influences generations of a family for years to come. The book was published by Simon and Schuster.
