December always feels like it’s casting a little spell. There’s a charm to how it mixes anticipation with nostalgia, inviting us to embrace traditions we look forward to all year. Even here in Oregon, where the rain dominates, there’s magic in those rare snowy, crystalline, bright days, evoking timeless imagery of all things winter. The sudden shock of colder air feels like a wake-up call to the changing seasons and the passage of time.
It’s a moment to pause, reflect on the year behind, and look ahead as the new one approaches. December seems to carve out time for slowing down, reconnecting with family, savoring the beauty of nature, and indulging in the comfort of good food. It’s a month wrapped in twinkling lights and the warmth of cherished rituals, where everything feels a little more meaningful.
For many, these traditions often include a trip to see The Nutcracker, a production that has become synonymous with the American holiday season. I especially love watching the kids in the audience at Nutcracker shows, dressed in their fanciest outfits, spinning and twirling in the aisles before the show begins. Excitement is contagious. I also love watching all the behind-the-scenes preparations for The Nutcracker and how it builds and comes together into this giant, beautiful, candy-colored, snowy confection of a production.
What I especially love now are all the variations on The Nutcracker. This month’s DanceWatch highlights 16 shows celebrating the season, each offering a unique take. They are all family-friendly and embrace gender positivity, whimsy, and humor. They have emotional depth and showcase a vast range of Oregon’s creativity and talent in the dance world. They celebrate light in dark times, bring new choreographic voices to the stage, and burst with energy, feel-good moments, and fresh ideas.
I hope you pick at least one show to see and enjoy it. Don’t just enjoy the dancing; enjoy the whole experience of going out. Get fancy, dress up, have a nice dinner or a drink, and soak up the energy of being out among other people on a crisp, chilly December evening. It’s fun! Let’s have more fun and fun with each other! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
December Dance Performances
New Expressive Works’ 16th Residency Performance
Presented by New Expressive Works, directed by Subashini Ganesan-Forbes
December 6-8
New Expressive Works, Studio 2, 810 S.E. Belmont St., Portland, In the WYSE Buliding.
Accessibility: N.E.W. has ramps, ADA Restrooms, automatic door openers, and two ADA parking spots in its parking lot.
In the 16th iteration of the New Expressive Works Residency, four new works highlight diverse voices in dance. Jessica Post and Sean Hoskins debut What Imagination Could Contrive, building on their Detroit collaborations. Jaime Belden’s Tiresias blends Queer Argentine tango and contemporary improvisation, exploring movement and ability. Katherine Longstreth presents Recursive Dance (a prequel), merging dance, video, and installation. Jordan Isadore makes his Portland choreographic debut with you look good, bud, following an extensive performance career.
Sponsor
The New Expressive Works residency, founded in 2012 by Oregon Arts Commissioner and former Portland Creative Laureate Subashini Ganesan-Forbes, features four choreographers who are chosen through an application process and are provided free rehearsal space and a stipend to create new work in a supportive environment, with no strings attached and no expectations of the final product. In its lifetime, it has served 70 choreographers and approximately 450 collaborators. This year’s choreographers are Jaime Belden, Jordan Isadore, Katherine Longstreth, and Jessica Post.
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American Christmas Carol
Ballet Fantastique, choreographed by Donna Marisa and Hannah Bontrager, featuring live music from Halie Loren and ensemble.
November 30-December 1
Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Silva Concert Hall, 1 Eugene Center, Eugene
Live performances at Silva Concert Hall: November 30 and Dec 1
An on-demand version of the live show will be available December 4-9
Film Screening: Eugene Art House Movie Theater, 1 p.m. December 15
With many playful and unexpected twists on Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, Ballet Fantastique reimagines the classic Christmas tale in the style of a Broadway/ballet/retro-glam accompanied by live jazz music performed by Eugene’s Grammy-nominated vocalist Halie Loren. Set in post-WWII America, 17 classic hits including That’s Life and Winter Wonderland underscore Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformative journey, blending humor, drama, and nostalgia.
Before the live version of the ballet, Ballet Fantastique produced a film in 2020. Shot at iconic Pacific Northwest locations such as the Oregon Electric Station, Portland’s White House, and the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House Museum, the film adds regional charm to Scrooge’s story of redemption. A collaboration between cinematographer Jeremy Bronson and Ballet Fantastique’s Bontrager team, the film features international professional dancers who rehearsed in quarantine bubbles during the pandemic. The film will be screened at 1 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Eugene Art House Movie Theater, 492 E. 13th Ave., Eugene.
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Grand Kyiv Ballet: The Snow Queen
Presented by Portland 5’ and Artistic Space Productions
Artistic director, Oleksandr Stoianov
7 p.m. December 9
Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland
Sponsor
The dancers of the Grand Kyiv ballet bring to life Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, the story of Gerda and her quest to rescue her best friend, Kai, from the evil Snow Queen.
The story begins with a magical mirror capable of distorting reality that falls to earth and shatters. Shards from the mirror pierce young Kai’s heart and eye, transforming his perception of the world into an ugly and cruel place. Kai’s devoted friend, Gerda, embarks on a treacherous journey to rescue him from the Snow Queen, who is captivated by his pure heart and innocence and has kidnapped him. Gerda’s tears, born of love and sorrow, melt the shard in Kai’s heart and break the Snow Queen’s enchantment.
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Serious Seasonal Cupcakes
BodyBox Dance Company, directed by Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland
December 5-14
BodyVox Dance Center, 1201 N.W. 17th Ave., Portland
This evening of new works by choreographers LeeWei Chao, Éowyn Emerald, Theresa Hanson, Asteria Howard, Brent Luebbert, and Dwana Smallwood explores the gravity of the art form and its playful possibilities, holiday style! Expect polished dancing infused with sweetness, humor, and lighthearted surprise.
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NOT-Cracker
Presented by Open Space and The School at Open Space, choreographed by Open Space artistic director Franco Nieto and co-founders Charlene Hannibal and Maeve Dougal.
December 6-8
Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland
Sponsor
The NOT-Cracker tells the tale of Ted, an unfortunate individual living in rainy Portland, struggling to find joy. Ted believes they can’t dance until a cast of wild, zany characters sweeps them up! Utilizing much of Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The NOT-Cracker invites its viewers to celebrate the many varieties of dance, gender expression, and body positivity. Join Ted as they enter NOT-Cracker‘s colorful world filled with rainbow-hued NOT-Bunnies, Polichinelles, a street-dancing Toy Soldier, Waltzing Flowers, the showstopping Baby Penguins, and much more.
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Photo: Blaine Truitt Covert.
In Good Company
Presented by NW Dance Project
December 6-14
NW Dance Project Creative Center, 211 N.E. 10th Avenue, Portland
NW Dance Project’s annual holiday showcase invites audiences to see dance up close in their cozy Creative Center for an evening showcase of world premieres by company members Quincie Bean, Beatriz García Díaz, Ingrid Ferdinand, Alejandra Preciado, and Mateo Vidals, plus a special appearance by Young Creatives Pro Track students. With warm wassail in hand, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season and support local dance.
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George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®
Oregon Ballet Theatre, artistic director Dani Rowe
December 7 – 24
Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay Street, Portland
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker© has been performed every winter holiday season in America since its debut on February 2, 1954. The story revolves around little Marie, who embarks on a fantastical journey to the land of sweets after rescuing her Nutcracker Prince from the Rat King. This grand production features larger-than-life characters, whimsical sets, and live music performed by the OBT Orchestra, led by resident music director Raúl Gómez-Rojas.
Sponsor
Oregon Ballet Theater will also present Nutcracker in a Nutshell, a sensory-friendly, one-hour Nutcracker performance, at noon Tuesday, December 20. This condensed version of The Nutcracker picks up at the beginning of the second act, in the Land of the Sweets. This additional performance is for people with sensory processing challenges and young children. It will be a relaxed environment with lighting, sound modifications, and a revolving entry/exit. Patrons may move, vocalize, and bring comfort items to feel at ease in the theater. Learn what to expect from the performance by clicking here to check out OBT’s visually narrated version of the events.
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The Nightmare Before Christmas
Presented by Steps PDX, artistic director Kathryn Harden
December 8-9
Portland State University, Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Avenue, Portland
Steps PDX will perform a dance adaptation of the beloved stop-motion animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas, featuring the choreography of artistic director Kathryn Harden. It will follow the misadventures of Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, as he discovers Christmas Town and attempts to kidnap Santa Claus and bring Christmas to Halloween Town.
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Sultanov Ballet Academy The Nutcracker
Artistic director Artur Sultanov
December 14-15
Lake Oswego High School Auditorium, 2501 Country Club Road, Lake Oswego
Experience the magical world of the Sultanov Ballet Academy’s rendition of the classic Christmas tale, The Nutcracker, featuring the choreography of artistic director Artur Sultanov, performed by the school’s pre-professional dancers, and featuring guest artist and former Oregon Ballet Theater soloist Chris Kaiser. Sultanov was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, and trained at the Vaganova Ballet Academy. At 17, he joined the Kirov Ballet, where he danced a classical repertoire. In 2000, he joined Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet in San Francisco and, in 2003, joined Oregon Ballet Theatre, where he performed principal roles in Swan Lake, Firebird, and The Nutcracker, among others.
Sponsor
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Reed College Winter Dance Concert
December 14-18
Reed College, Greenwood Theater, 3203 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard, Portland
The Reed College Winter Dance Concert will feature performances by Reed students, Reed’s Contemporary Performance Ensemble, faculty, and guest choreographers. Free and open to the public. Reservations required; reserve your spot here.
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A Nutcracker Tea
NorthWest Dance Theatre, artistic director June Taylor-Dixon
December 14-22
PCC Sylvania Performing Arts Center, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave., Portland
This condensed version of The Nutcracker follows Clara and her prince through the Snow Kingdom and the Land of Sweets, serving complimentary tea and cookies after each performance. The performance features exquisitely designed sets and costumes, with choreography by June Taylor-Dixon and Gretta Murray-Marchek, who are celebrating their 35th season.
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Sponsor
The Nutcracker
Eugene Ballet, artistic director, Toni Pimble
Orchestra Next
December 19-24
The Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene; Silva Concert Hall, 1 Eugene Center, Eugene
In this version of The Nutcracker, performed with live music by Orchestra Next led by Brian McWhorter, the classic tale becomes a story of young love. In Clara’s dream, the nutcracker transforms into Hans, a young man who works for Drosselmeyer, instead of a prince. The couple travels on a hot air balloon instead of a horse and sleigh, and they encounter more culturally sensitive dances that borrow from the folk dances of each country represented.
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The Nutcracker
Presented by Columbia Dance
December 21-22
Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver, Wash.
Sensory-friendly performance at 6 p.m. December 20
Livestreamed Performances December 21-22
Tutus, Tchaikovsky, magic, and mystery are essential ingredients for every Nutcracker production. However, this unique version will also include beavers fighting fur trappers, dancing wapato plants, and children from the Oregon Trail arriving in covered wagons, all while weaving local Fort Vancouver history into the classic ballet’s plot. Since 2019, Columbia Dance has collaborated with historical experts, local tribes, and Fort Vancouver staff to create a whimsical, family-friendly story rich in complex history.
The sensory-friendly performance will feature lower music volume, some lights on in the audience area, buffer seats, and a shush-free environment. This show is designed for individuals with sensory concerns. Audience members are encouraged to enter and exit the auditorium as needed; absolute silence is not required.
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Sponsor
Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas
Presented by The Reser
7:30 p.m. December 23
Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent Street, Beaverton
Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas invites audiences into a magical winter’s night in rural Ireland. Set in the parish of Teampall An Ghleanntáin, it brings together neighbors around the hearth to celebrate Christmas. The performance showcases traditional Irish carols, lively jigs, and reels, capturing the joy and nostalgia of Irish culture during the festive season.
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ZooZoo
Imago Theatre, Artistic Directors Carol Triffle and Jerry Mouawad
December 13-January 1
Imago Theatre, 17 S.E. 8th Avenue, Portland
ZooZoo, a longtime audience favorite that is based in Portland and has toure extensively, magnifies the quirkiness of everyday life through a playful mix of physical comedy, zany characters like firefly eyes and arrogant anteaters, and absurdist storytelling. The performance explores themes of human nature, relationships, and life’s delightful absurdities.
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Eugene Symphony: New Year’s Eve Celebration
Presented by Eugene Symphony featuring Troupe Vertigo
8:30 p.m. December 31
Hult Center, Silva Concert Hall, One Eugene Center, Eugene
Los Angeles-based circus company Troupe Vertigo teams up with Eugene Symphony to ring in the new year with a blend of cinematic, Broadway, and classical music while spectacular cirque dancers twist, twirl, fly, and contort in synchronization.
Sponsor
Jamuna Chiarini is a dance artist, producer, curator, and writer, who produces DanceWatch Weekly for Oregon ArtsWatch. Originally from Berkeley, Calif., she studied dance at The School of The Hartford Ballet and Florida State University. She has also trained in Bharatanatyam and is currently studying Odissi. She has performed professionally throughout the United States as a dancer, singer, and actor for dance companies, operas, and in musical theatre productions. Choreography credits include ballets for operas and Kalamandir Dance Company. She received a Regional Arts & Culture Council project grant to create a 30-minute trio called “The Kitchen Sink,” which was performed in November 2017, and was invited to be part of Shawl-Anderson’s Dance Up Close/East Bay in Berkeley, Calif. Jamuna was a scholarship recipient to the Urban Bush Women’s Summer Leadership Institute, “Undoing Racism,” and was a two-year member of CORPUS, a mentoring program directed by Linda K. Johnson. As a producer, she is the co-founder of Co/Mission in Portland, Ore., with Suzanne Chi, a performance project that shifts the paradigm of who initiates the creation process of new choreography by bringing the artistic vision into the hands of the dance performer. She is also the founder of The Outlet Dance Project in Hamilton, N.J.
