Contributions should be sent to jim.lowe@rutlandherald.com or jim.lowe@timesargus.com at least two weeks in advance.
‘Green Mountain Nutcracker’
BARRE — Moving Light Dance’s “The Green Mountain Nutcracker,” Vermont’s only interpretation of the classic holiday ballet with a local twist, returns to the Barre Opera House for two shows, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17.
Now in its 17th year, this one-of-a-kind production features an all-ages, 68-member cast of professional company dancers and local students, all-original choreography by Christine Harris, Chloe Reynolds, Bridget Wheeler and Willow Wonder, set to both Tchaikovsky’s familiar score and original music by Vermont musician Colin McCaffrey, as well as an array of locally made sets and costumes.
Set in the 1970s in Vermont, this familiar-made-fantastical rendition of the classic ballet delights audiences with its many local references, from the boisterous loggers to the Maple Sugar Fairy.
“The Green Mountain Nutcracker really is a celebration of what it is to be living in Vermont — the snow, the leaves, the community, the culture, the stacking wood,” says Artistic Director Christine Harris. “It’s an exalting of those qualities. Vermonters are hardworking people; dancers are hardworking people, and there’s joy in hard work. I think you feel that in our ‘Nutcracker.’”
Tickets are $32/$18, $30/$16 in advance; call 802-476-8188 or go to barreoperahouse.org online. Go to movinglightdance.com for information about Moving Light Dance.
‘(Good) King Wenceslaus’
PUTNEY —Next Stage Arts will present Vermont Suitcase Company’s first-ever winter tour, featuring the heartwarming and whimsical production “(Good) King Wenceslaus,” including a performance at the Next Stage venue, 15 Kimball Hill at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14.
“(Good) King Wenceslaus” invites audiences to follow the charismatic king and his page Edith as they embark on a comedic and enchanting journey through the deep and crisp and even snow of Medieval Europe. Set against the backdrop of everyone’s favorite Christmas carol, the play weaves a narrative, exploring themes of meaning and goodness with a blend of quick-paced physical comedy, stage magic, and puppetry — all performed by a cast of four actors.
For tickets or information, call 802-451-0053 or go to www.nextstagearts.org online.
‘Holiday Honky-tonk’
CABOT — Cabot Arts presents “A Holiday Honky-tonk” with The Queen City Cut-ups at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Willey Building Auditorium, 3084 Main St.
The Queen City Cut-ups are a new band from Burlington. Their music blends Cajun, country, swing, and old-time into the collective Americana sound. While honoring the heritage of time-tested American roots music, this group is blazing a direct path into the future with its unique approach to performance. Sweet vocal harmonies, fiery playing and a strong, meaningful song list are things you can expect when you enjoy the Queen City Cut-ups.
Tickets are $15, $10 in advance; all 802-793-3016 or go to www.cabotarts.org online.
Michael Arnowitt jazz
STOWE — Michael Arnowitt and ImproVisions Jazz will perform at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Brass Lantern Inn.
Pianist Arnowitt will be joined by Clyde Stats on upright bass and Keith Gibson on drums in a colorful and diverse program of jazz past and present. They will perform jazz classics by Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and Bill Evans, along with Arnowitt’s versions of jazz standards such as “There Will Never Be Another You” and “Autumn Leaves.” Their program also features selections from Arnowitt’s Jazz Suite from “West Side Story,” and the pianist’s “Burana Bop” based on musical material from Carl Orff’s exciting and dramatic “Carmina Burana.”
For information, call 802-229-0984 or go to www.mapiano.com online.
‘Winter Tales 2023’
BURLINGTON — Join Vermont Stage for the 19th annual “Winter Tales.” This celebration of community, songwriting and oral storytelling is a shining light in the darkest days of winter. Family, fellowship, fortuitous encounters, these heartfelt stories are a throwback to the days when memories were solidified around the hearth with loved ones and neighbors sharing their souls and singing their hearts out with a warm mug and a tale on the tip of their tongues.
“Winter Tales” runs Dec. 13-17 at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, and stars Cristina Alicea, Susannah Blachly, Patti Casey, Alex Hudson, Delanté Keys and Taryn Noelle. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. are Wednesday-Saturday, plus 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday.
Featuring stories from Vermont writers Nicole Alicea Dash, Geoff Gevalt, Stephen P. Kiernan, and playwright Audrey Cefaly (author of “Maytag Virgin,” Vermont Stage, 2021) with musical accompaniment by Blachly and Casey, “Winter Tales” is an end-of-the-year jubilee of local artistry, spirit, and the immortal power of storytelling. Each ticket will include complimentary molasses cookies, ginger snaps and nonalcoholic apple cider.
Tickets begin at $24; call 802-862-1497 or go to www.vermontstage.org online.
Brattleboro Camerata
BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Camerata presents “Treasure Hidden Within,” a program exploring how composers take pre-existing music and hide it within the structure of a new piece, infusing the latter with the essence of the older work, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Brattleboro Music Center.
The “hidden treasures” include a popular secular Medieval tune (embedded in Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s “Missa L’homme armé a 4”), sacred Gregorian chant melodies (hidden in Maurice Duruflé’s “Quatre Motets sur des Thèmes Grégoriens”), a musical puzzle/cryptogram (embedded in Josquin Desprez’s “Missa La sol fa re mi”), and a challenge melody from a composition contest (Giuseppe Verdi’s “Ave Maria”).
Tickets are $25, $20 in advance; call 802-257-4523 or go to bmcvt.org online.
