Allegro Center for the Performing Arts Brings the Arts to Life

By Aimée O’Grady | Photography by Allegro Center for the Performing Arts The Allegro Center for the Performing Arts was founded in 2004 as a Kindermusik organization by founders who had been teaching private lessons for years. Within the first year, the Allegro expanded offerings to include private instruction in piano, guitar, and voice. In 2006, Allegro relocated to Vint Hill Farms Station and in 2013, moved again to their present location in Old Town Warrenton. During this time, co-founder Sam Yoder took over as Executive Director. For nearly a decade, Allegro has been a strong community supporter participating in events in Old Town Warrenton, Warrenton Town Limits at the WARF, Spring Festival, and other events throughout the county, all while growing their programming and expanding their repertoire of services. Allegro has since added theater classes and stage performances that today draw competitive thespians from Northern Virginia to audition for. Not long following the COVID-19 lock-down, Allegro acquired Excell Dance. With this acquisition, Allegro offers the full complement of performing arts education and performance opportunities: music, theater & dance, which means our students and families get a full performance arts experience as all the groups come together, performing together. As students advance, they begin to work with other students, studying other areas to expand their world, their skill level, and give them a more real-world experience. Allegro offers opportunities for students of all age groups. Beginning with instruction at ages 4 with group dance, theater, and private piano. Allegro welcomes adults of all ages and skill levels. Allegro offers THRIVE, an exuberant, inter-generational program of music and arts designed for people over the age of 55, who want to live their senior years with gusto, optimism, a sense of belonging, and friendships. Through Allegro, the arts are brought to every generation

by instilling Creative Aging principles and harnessing proven psychological research for older adults. Interested in a trial class? Call 540-349-5088 or email Lachelle@allegrocsa.org to book a free trial lesson. New student enrollments will receive 10% off their first month of lessons. For more information visit www.allegrocsa.org.

Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Pokémon, Warhammer, Board Games & more In this fast-paced digital world, slow down and play a game with friends

Warrenton Village Center, 251 W Lee Highway, Suite 655

540-878-5480

Marijuana Legalization and Driving Under the Influence

By Mark B. Williams Mark B. Williams & Associates, PLC

Drug laws are rapidly changing around the United States, and they have recently changed in Virginia as well. As of July 1, 2021, recreational use of marijuana is legal in the state for adults over the age of 21. With that said, the new law does not mean Virginians can drive under the influence.

Despite the recent legalization of marijuana, the relaxing of the law does not apply to the rules of the road. According to the state legislature, drivers who are under the influence of marijuana can still face DUI charges. Based on the new law, Virginians can legally possess, grow or gift up to an ounce of the popular “soft” drug. However, it is still illegal to sell, drive under the influence or possess more than an ounce. Other “soft” drugs, like psilocybin mushrooms, which are legal in some states, remain illegal in Virginia.

According to Virginia law, no driver may get behind the wheel while under the influence of cannabis “to a degree which impairs his or her ability to drive or operate the motor vehicle safely.” In addition, driving a car automatically gives implied consent to providing samples of his or her blood and/or breath for chemical testing to determine intoxication levels.

For Virginians who are happy to see the legalization of marijuana, a commitment to driving sober can help them enjoy their new freedoms without putting other drivers at risk or having unwanted legal consequences.

Exceptional Design for Luxury Living

Visit our Showroom

3409 Catlett Rd, Catlett, VA 540.788.3539

GoldenRuleBuilders.com

Design-Build . Remodeling Additions . Custom Homes

The Nutcracker: A Holiday Tradition

The Nutcracker has become a long-standing holiday season tradition for countless families. Kalie Lasley, executive director of the Lasley Centre for the Performing Arts in Warrenton, said the original story of The Nutcracker was a dark tale written in 1816 by German romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann. In 1845, that story was rewritten by Alexandre Dumas and premiered as a ballet December 18, 1892, in St. Petersburg, where it was performed by the Mariinsky Ballet. The music was composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Marius Petipa.

“The production was a flop and the ballet and music largely sank into oblivion until the musical score was resurrected in 1940 by Walt Disney for use in the animated film, ‘Fantasia,’” she said. “George Balanchine’s version of The Nutcracker, which was televised in the 1950s, served as a catalyst for the popularity of what is now a national Christmas tradition.”

Lasley said she first experienced The Nutcracker at the age of 10… but as a performer, not as a spectator.

“It was my first opportunity to perform on a large stage, and I still remember the ethereal plastic snowflakes gentle fluttering through the air, the warm glitter of sequins and rhinestones under the colored stage lights, the orchestra playing the classic Tchaikovsky score, and all the magical characters coming to life,” she said. “This would become my tradition for ushering in the holiday season for the rest of my life.”

The Nuts and Bolts The Lasley Production

Unlike most classical ballets, Lasley said, both the story line and choreography for The Nutcracker are diverse and vary with each company. Most stay true to the basic format of the party scene followed by the Land of Sweets.

“We felt there was a lack of cohesiveness in the storyline between the first and second act, therefore we have filled in some of the blanks to create better continuity,” she said. “We conclude the ballet with the question: Was it Clara’s dream or did she really travel to the magical Kingdom of Sweets?”

It seems nearly every ballet studio offers their own interpretation of The Nutcracker at some point in December. Generally, though, most remain fairly true to the traditional storyline.

Lasley explained that The Nutcracker is a ballet in two acts. The first act opens on a Christmas celebration at the Stahlbaum home. The young Marie (now Clara) and her brother Fritz share the scene with the enigmatic Herr Drosselmeyer who performs magic tricks, produces life-sized dancing dolls from an empty magical wardrobe, and brings gifts for all the children including a special nutcracker for Clara. Clara beseeches her dear uncle Drosselmeyer to bring the nutcracker to life as well, but he refuses. As the party comes to a close and the guests depart, the real magic begins.

The dramatic tale unfolds with a battle between life-sized toy soldiers and mice led by the evil Mouse King and the handsome Nutcracker Prince. In the end, the toy soldiers reign victorious, aided of course by the brave Clara who slays the Mouse King and saves the prince. Clara then travels with the prince to the Land of Sweets, where she is honored by a host of enchanted characters for her act of bravery.

The Centre Company will perform The Nutcracker at Fauquier High School (705 Waterloo Road, Warrenton)