HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
16
A SEASON OF CELEBRATION
River Lagoon. Schnell says parts of the popular show, now
in its fourth year, were filmed outdoors. It features a cast of
16 professional dancers and 12 student performers from Riverside
Theatre’s dance education program and Ballet Vero
Beach’s own community engagement initiatives.
The adaptation follows the story of young Marie Stahlbaum
as she journeys from New York to Vero Beach in December
1919 to spend the holidays with her eccentric Uncle
Drosselmeyer, Schnell says.
“The production has always been a love letter to the
beauty of our natural surroundings, and it is an extraordinary
privilege to be able to offer a version of the show for
free this holiday season,” Schnell says.
Tentatively scheduled for release Dec. 23, Schnell says
to watch the Ballet Vero Beach website for exact dates and
ways to view the film. It should be a treat.
DAZZLING DAYTIME
McKee Botanical Garden’s board deliberated and then
decided to switch its long-running Nights of Holiday Lights
to a new daytime event instead. Calling it Holi-DAYS at
McKee, emphasis on the “days,” the nearly monthlong
event features a whirlwind of activities that change weekly.
No one will lack for sights to see and things to do during
this year’s December show.
Kids will love the character breakfasts and lunches. Dec.
1-6 will bring the Grinch and Cindy Lou along with Buddy
the Elf to the tables. Other characters follow on Week 2, Dec.
8-13; Week 3, Dec. 15-20; and on Dec. 22-23. The many live
musical performances include the First United Methodist
Handbell Ensemble, school groups and more. Long-time >>
Ballet Vero Beach changed its annual
Nutcracker on the Indian River from a
production performed on stage to film
viewable on TV-30 and YouTube and/
or Vimeo. The classic story’s setting is
relocated to the Indian River Lagoon.
Port St. Lucie has several places where you and the kids can take pictures.
This one is at the Port St. Lucie Community Center. The others are at city
hall, the botanical gardens, the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center
and St. Lucie West, 400 feet west of Country Club Estates. In all cases CDC
guidelines must be followed.
JOE SEMKOW