Agape Nutcracker Ballet

The holidays are just around the corner, and we all know that marks the return of the perennially exciting

ballet The Nutcracker. This year’s show is going to be extra special for the community at Agapé Dance because it marks their 10th anniversary! Ever since Melanie Useldinger started Agapé Dance in 2012, they’ve been trying to bring their characteristic blend of the rigor of classical ballet and the warmth and care of agapé love.

While this isn’t most of the dancers’ first rodeo, this Nutcracker will be particularly special for one of Agapé’s newest dancers, Yeva Ziniak. Yeva’s family just moved to the Santa Cruz area after the conflict started in Ukraine earlier this year. After starting ballet on scholarship in the spring, Yeva got to experience the excitement of ballet for the first time dancing in Agapé’s summer production of Swan Lake. Now, she’s working hard to get ready for her very first Nutcracker!

“Working on Nutcracker really gets me excited about the holidays coming up,” says Director Conrad Useldinger, “and all the things I love about the holidays–the community, the quality time spent together–they can really be felt when I’m working with my students and their families on the show. I’m also looking forward to

Yeva Ziniak (in back)

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trying mid-week performances. That way, people don’t have to miss all their holiday parties, and it’s so close to Christmas that people can bring their holiday guests to this super fun experience.”

Christina Frankiv, 16, will be playing the role of Sugarplum Fairy this year alongside guest artist Aly Ely. Both Christina and Aly have been dancing at Agapé ever since its opening, so it’ll be fun having both dancers on-stage for the 10th Anniversary show. Along with these fabulous dancers, this year’s show will be featuring a special new section for Agapé alumni choreographed by Aly Ely. The creative team at Agapé can’t wait for the community to see this spectacular show.

This year, you can catch Agapé Dance’s 10th Anniversary Nutcracker at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater, where it will be showing on Wednesday, Dec. 21st and Thursday, Dec. 22nd, with shows at 2:30pm and 6:30pm on both days. A portion of the ticket sales for the show will be donated to Nova Ukraine, an organization providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainians during the ongoing struggle. Tickets start at $35. %

Shopping Local is a fun Family Event

One of my fondest holiday memories as a child was going into the city with my family and looking at and in all the shops with

their festive window displays. Happily and wishfully pointing out all the gifts I wanted for Christmas, it was like visiting Santa’s workshop. Shopping local is not only fun but a time for families to bond, and also a way to support Santa Cruz County stores. As well, it allows you to see and touch the actual gifts you might buy making it less likely for disappointments. And a bonus, no waiting for late deliveries as you know it will be under the tree come Christmas morning. %

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