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Arts Umbrella Dance Company shakes things up like a snowglobe in Mixed Nuts, December 15 to 17

The company’s version of Nutcracker is entirely its own

By Gail Johnson

*Mixed Nuts.* Photo by Michael Slobodian

Arts Umbrella Dance Company presents Mixed Nuts from December 15 to 17 at the Vancouver Playhouse

THERE’S NUTCRACKER, AND then there’s Mixed Nuts, Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s signature holiday offering based on the classic ballet that’s entirely its own.

The artists perform a variety of dance styles in the show, presented annually at the Vancouver Playhouse.

It’s a chance to catch the region’s future dance stars while taking in some choreographed holiday cheer. Arts Umbrella is becoming world famous for exporting dancers to top companies in the world, like Nederlands Dans Theater. Students in the General Program, placed by age and academic grade, and students in the Professional Training Program, placed by audition, participate in annual Cecchetti examinations through to Level 8.

For more information, see https://www.artsumbrella.com/mixed-nuts/.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder and associate editor of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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