A special production of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet will feature dancers from the Great Lakes Youth Ballet Company, the Grand Valley State University Dance Ensemble and an 80-piece orchestra from Grand Valley, under the baton of Brian Alhadeff.
The production, directed by Jefferson Baum, will be performed at the Allendale High School Performing Arts Center, 10760 68th Ave., on Saturday, December 9 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5/children and students, $15/adults. For more information, call (616) 892-5594.
Baum, professor of dance at Grand Valley, created the Great Lakes Youth Ballet last year with colleague Calin Radulescu. They both plan to make an appearance in the show to interact with students on stage.
"Young dancers spend so many hours learning technique and practicing," said Baum. "We wanted to provide more opportunities for them to perform."
