BRANDON BALLET

ICE SKATING AND WINTER VILLAGE RETURN TO TAMPA JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS BRANDON BALLET TO PERFORM THE NUTCRACKER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

This year, celebrate the holiday season by visiting the Winter Village and its outdoor ice-skating rink. It is a great holiday activity for the whole family. The Winter Village is located in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at 600 N. Ashley Dr. in downtown Tampa. The Winter Village is open Friday, November 18 through January 4, 2023.

Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transformed each year with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays, which is great for children and adults alike.

Each year, a giant ice-skating rink is erected on the perimeter of the park. You must purchase and reserve tickets for ice skating in advance. Tickets are $17, and the cost includes skate rentals. All hours are subject to weather and rink conditions.

In addition to the 5,000-square-foot ice-skating rink, the Winter Village features random Santa sightings, the Curtis Hixon Choo Choo, shopping and snack and beverage options. The Curtis Hixon Choo Choo ofers a five-minute ride through the park where riders can enjoy the sights, lights and sounds of the Win-

ter Village. The Tampa Theatre will ofer two holiday movies on the lawn on Saturday, November 19 and Friday, December 16 at 6 p.m. Back this year is the popular WinGet into the holiday spirit with a visit to ter Village Express. the Winter Village located along Tampa’s The family-friendbeautiful riverwalk at Curtis Hixon Wa- ly excursion takes terfront Park. You can enjoy holiday sights you from Whiting and sounds, ice skating and even curling Station, located in this year. downtown to Ybor City, and back on the TECO Line Streetcar. The one-hour trip features a holiday sing-along, holiday trivia, milk and cookies and added surprises along the way. New to the holiday celebrations at the Winter Village this year is curling. This will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Equipment will be available for rental. There will also be a curling league. This will be available from Wednesday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 28. Games will be played every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. Katie Collins of Valrico said, “The Winter Village is truly special. It really puts you in the holiday spirit and is a fun way to spend a few hours in downtown Tampa.” For more information on hours and rentals, please visit www.wintervillagetampa.com.

The Brandon Ballet will present three live performances of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The performances will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 11 at 2 and 5:30 p.m. All performances will be held at Riverview High School, located at 11311 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.

The Nutcracker is a magical Christmas production that is both imaginative and a timeless classic that is great for the whole family.

Tickets are available online at www.brandonballet.org. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under and seniors. Homeschool students can get tickets for $15 per person. For the latter, please email dance@brandonballet.org. Tickets are available at the door, but all prices increase by $5.

The Nutcracker is set on Christmas Eve with a gathering of friends and family. During the performance, toys come to life and rats grow to life size characters. Clara is given a toy soldier by her uncle, Herr Drosselmeyer, and is transported to magical lands, including the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets. The toy soldier turns into a magical nutcracker. Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the audience is left wondering whether it was a real trip or just a magical dream. This year, the role of Sugar Plum Fairy will be reprised by Courtney Moody. Drosselmeyer will be played by new company member Andres Gomez. Hannah Townend,

Photo courtesy of Ricardo Romero. administrative director

Te Brandon Ballet is celebrating the for the Brandon Ballet, Season of Discovery with three live per- said, “This performance formances of Te Nutcracker at Riverview High School this December. is the company’s first Nutcracker under new artistic direction of Alice H. Bock and Brentwood Townend. Along with rehearsal director Courtney Moody, they are proud to present a production in which some of the lead roles in act two will be danced by student company members.” Townend added, “Of special note is Jada Stevenson, a senior at Blane Hugh School who has danced with Brandon Ballet for many years. Stevenson will be performing the lead Arabian role for the first time.” “Our 2022 production will include a Nutcracker Prince, and Drosselmeyer will be included in the snow scene. This change has never been done in any other Nutcracker production. Audiences will be surprised at the athletic and theatrical ability,” said Townend. For information, visit www.brandonballet. org or call 684-4282.