Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Nutcracker Tickets Make a Great Holiday Gift

By Betty Sanchez Photos by Steve DiBartolomeo

Santa Cruz County’s resident ballet company Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker at the Civic

Auditorium this December 10 and 11. This year marks the 20th of this holiday classic at the Civic with live orchestra. SCBT moved its production to the Civic in 2002, building a custom stage using local union stage hands, and setting the musicians in front, which allows the audience to see them in action during the performance. SCBT continues to bring 52 professional musicians under the baton of Music Director Pamela Martin to local audiences. 2022 also marks Maestro Martin’s 10th year conducting the orchestra.

The SCBT Nutcracker features over 50 local dancers, including its own talented pre-professional company dancers. These dancers train rigorously all year long, honing their physical and artistic skills for many hours every week. Many of these young dancers will move on to a career in the field, as the graduate ratio of professional dancers produced by SCBT is incredibly high. Come see the professional dancers of the future in their formative years! The official academy of SCBT includes choreography training in its syllabus, and this year, three of the company dancers are creating the Arabian divertissement for the stage. With the right training and mentoring, these young people can do it all!

Guest artist and SCBT alumna Melody Mennite will star as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Melody is the quintessential Sugar Plum and has danced this role with SCBT many times, including as a 16-year-old student as well as guest artist. A principal dancer with Houston Ballet, Melody relishes the ability to return to her hometown and reconnect with local audiences as well as the dancers who might just follow in her footsteps.

SCBT recommends viewers be at least 3 years of age, as the performance is approximately 2 hours long with one twenty-minute intermission. Concessions will be sold, but must be enjoyed in the lobby or outside, not brought into the auditorium. Downtown Santa Cruz sports a vibrant restaurant scene, so please enjoy your favorite eatery or find a new one to try for a snack or meal before or after the performance.

SCBT is following local and federal health protocol and recommends that every person entering the Civic

Auditorium be vaccinated. It is also highly recommended that audience members wear masks while indoors. Should health and safety recommendations change by December, SCBT will follow local and federal mandates. To lessen the spread of all communicable diseases and illnesses, please do NOT come to the performance if you are feeling sick or have any Covid or flu-like symptoms. SantaCruzTickets.com offers a new ticket insurance policy which can be added to any ticket purchase.

The Nutcracker presented by Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre with live orchestra at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Performances are Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 at 1pm and 4:30pm each day. Tickets can be purchased at SantaCruzTickets.com or by calling (831) 420-5260 or at the Civic Box Office, 307 Church Street. %

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© 2022 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. New service activation on approved credit. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. New customers receive $50 for a new account activated by December 31, 2022. O er will be applied as two monthly credits of $25. Credits will be made to customers invoice and will not be in excess of the monthly total. If the balance is less than $25, remaining credit will be forfeited. Promotional credits will be applied to customer’s account and remain valid only for accounts remaining in service. If account becomes inactive for any reason prior to receiving the full amount, any remaining credits will be forfeited. O er may be modifi ed or discontinued at any time and may not be combined with other limited time o ers. O er not redeemable for cash, has no cash value and is not transferable or refundable. O er cannot be redeemed in retail locations.

Featured Restaurants & Eateries in Santa Cruz County

Trestles

Established in 2021, Trestles Restaurant, takes its name from its location, steps away from the iconic Capitola Trestle. Our philosophy is simple: using proper technique, stay committed to using local, fresh, ingredients to create seasonal fare that people will come back for.

Trestles represents the life long dream of Chef Nick Sherman to open his very own restaurant. Chef Nick is extremely grateful to his countless friends and family who have helped him tirelessly to realize this dream. We sincerely hope you’ll feel the love and hard work that went into these walls and look forward to serving you! Trestles provide a culinary experience for Capitola unlike any other. Utilizing seasonal locally sourced produce. The menu will often be updated to reflect the current availability of our area’s rich assortments of fruits and vegetables along with varied techniques and inspiration with which to approach it.

Gift Cards

Treat your friends and family to the Trestles dining experience! Our gift cards are perfect for any occasion and are available in any denomination. Besides our physical gift cards, available at the restaurant, Trestles now offers E-Gift cards!

Private Events

Planning a special event or celebration? Let Trestles be your host with our delicious menu and beautiful space. Private dining buyouts are available for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, and corporate events.

The Parish Pub

The Parish Pub in Aptos was started in 2017 by four friends who have worked in Santa Cruz restaurants and bars for over 20 years. They decided to start a sister pub to the already established Parish Publick House on the West side of Santa Cruz. Joel, Nate, and Erik, teamed up with their friend Karen to create a service oriented pub with a neighborhood feel. They have an emphasis on warm service, quality fresh food, a comfortable family friendly atmosphere, and the best beer and cocktails they can serve.

The Parish Pub Aptos offers to go food, patio dining and inside seating. The kitchen has been led by Chef Dave Baskerville who has increased the delicious “small bite” offerings to offer quality food and flavors. Bar manager Melissa Stoll has continued to scout exceptional beers and to make a fun and innovative craft cocktail menu. In addition, the Parish Pub was an early adopter of the Impossible Burger and offers many other vegetarian and healthy options to ensure there is something for everyone.

Cafe Cruz Rosticceria & Bar

Chef Steve Wilson, who owns and operates Café Cruz, delights in the flavors and cooking styles found in North America’s diverse cultures and regions, as well as many international cuisines. Launched in 1995, Café Cruz has been a favorite restaurant for locals and visitors for many years.

Steve’s interest in cooking began as a teenager growing up in Pennsylvania. His early experiences in kitchens on the east coast and in Santa Cruz sparked a passion for blending regional flavors with locally harvested foods. Steve emphasizes healthy and high-quality ingredients, embracing both American and Global cuisines.

Wilson is committed to the environment and to the greater Santa Cruz Community. Café Cruz is an avid supporter of area schools and the programs of many community organizations. Steve was a former recipient of the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Hunger Fighters Award. The restaurant offers something extra for every event. The interior décor was designed to offer an open, festive, and casual atmosphere. A classic French made Rotisol rotisserie is in full view featuring natural meats and poultry. Chefs can be seen working their magic in the open copper-backed kitchen. The murals depicting local scenes are the work of local artist Terry Wells.

Visitors enjoy cocktails and appetizers in our bar featuring a distinctive adobe-style fireplace (the creation of artist/contractor Shan Gilmore). In keeping with our eco-friendly philosophy, the wood tables and custom bar top are made from sustainable hard woods. For those who prefer open air dining, Cafe Cruz’s heated patio is just the thing. The focal point of the patio is the beautiful Tuscan fireplace, surrounded by greenery and flowers. Our cozy fire-table is a fun place to gather for cocktails. For banquets and other special occasions, the lush garden room with its distinctive waterfall fountain is an ideal choice. Café Cruz gift certificates are a great way celebrate! Available in person or at cafecruz.com

Come Dine with us for the Holidays

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What a gift – our most popular high-quality citrus and orchard fruits in one delicious assortment! Handpicked to order so it’s always fresh and perfect. • 2 Grove Navels Juicy, tangy-sweet, and seedless: the world’s #1 orange! • 1 Ruby Red Grapefruit So sweet, they never need sugar. • 2 Honey-Sweet Tangerines Heavenly sweet and easy to peel. Kids love them! • 2 Petite Red Navels Gorgeous red esh with berry undertones. • 2 Petite Golden Navels Snack-sized versions of the beloved classic. • 2 Pears Juicy, creamy, and perfectly ripe. • 2 Orchard Fresh Apples Crispy and fragrant with the sweet taste of fall.

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Wharf House Restaurant

Owner Willie Case fell in love with the location of The Wharf House and bought the business over thirty years ago in 1984. The sweeping views of Capitola Village and all of Monterey Bay area are a special treat while enjoying some of the best food in Santa Cruz County! There’s a full breakfast menu, and for lunch, an assortment of burgers, sandwiches, clam chowder, and of course, fish and chips. For a special weekend brunch, try a glass of champagne and one of the Eggs Benedict dishes, which are a house specialty. For dinner, it’s a great place to watch the sunset over the ocean.

That feeling of being over the waters of Monterey Bay and the possible appearance of sea creatures while strolling down the wharf to the restaurant is intoxicating. There is also that added expectation of reaching the end of the wharf where the friendly atmosphere and marvelous menu of the Wharf House Restaurant awaits. If you want to start your day watching the sun rising up over Monterey Bay with the twin stacks at Moss Landing in the distance while savoring breakfast, then the Wharf House is the place to be!

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Café Mare

Cozze e Vongole, Crespolini di Zucca, Vitello Classico are a few of the authentic Italian delights at Cafe Mare in Santa Cruz. Top off your meal with tiramisu, panna cotta, or semifreddo limoncello. To rev up your taste buds, just read the menu.

Owner Jean Pierre Iuliano, from Calabria in southern Italy, procures the finest fresh, local ingredients – think fish and produce – and imports cheese, pasta and extra virgin olive oil to create simple goodness.

Calabria is at the southernmost tip of Italy’s mainland, nearly surrounded by water. Historically people there are known for tasty food that is easy to make, featuring pork, a local chili pepper, swordfish, the purply sweet Tropea onions and eggplants.

Iuliano’s recipes come from his mother in his homeland. He graduated from Università della Calabria in 1992, and opened Café Mare in 2002. Customers rave about the gluten-free options such as gluten-free bread, gluten-free ravioli with a butter sage sauce and gluten-free penne with chicken and spinach with gluten free penne.

Guests advise: Don’t overlook the specials – they are amazing. An extensive collection of fine Italian and California wines is available, along with classic cocktails. Live jazz is an attraction on Fridays and Saturdays. You’re likely to find many of the staff are from Italy. The people who work here remember you – and treat you like family. If you are in the mood for Italian, this is the place – a bit of Italy right here in Santa Cruz. We also have a fulll bar and featuring several unique craft cocktails.

Buon Appetito!

Peppermint Bark

A quick recipe for peppermint bark.

 12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips – chopped  12 oz. white chocolate chips – chopped  1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract  8 candy canes or 26 peppermint candies, crushed

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill the bottom of a large pot with 3” water and bring to simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then place a large heatproof bowl on top. Add semi-sweet chocolate and stir occasionally until chocolate has melted. Stir in extract. Pour into prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer with a spatula.

Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.

Over the same pot of barely simmering water, place another large heatproof bowl. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Pour over set semi-sweet chocolate then top immediately with candy canes. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes. %