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World Ballet Company to bring 'The Nutcracker' to CoMMA on Nov. 18
‘The Nutcracker’ production at CoMMA will feature a live
orchestra conducted by Vadim Nikitin performing Pyotr Ilyich
Tchaikovsky’s traditional score.
MICHAEL MOROZOV / FOR THE PAPER
World Ballet Company will bring its national touring production of “The Nutcracker” to Morganton’s CoMMA Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
The performance begins at 7 p.m. and is part of a nationwide holiday tour visiting nearly 50 cities through December. The production will feature a live orchestra conducted by Vadim Nikitin performing Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s traditional score.
The traveling production features professional dancers representing more than 10 countries, along with hand-painted sets, multimedia projections, and more than 150 hand-sewn costumes. The staging covers the classic story’s key scenes, including the battle between the Nutcracker’s soldiers and the Mouse King, the Waltz of the Snowflakes, and the Land of Sweets.
“Our goal is to make ballet accessible without compromising its artistry,” said company director Sasha Gorskaya. “We created this Nutcracker for everyone — from families seeing ballet for the first time to audiences who have loved it all their lives. With live orchestral music bringing Tchaikovsky’s score to life, it’s a world-class experience that celebrates joy, imagination, and togetherness.”
The Los Angeles-based company focuses on touring to cities outside major metropolitan markets to expand regional access to professional ballet. According to company surveys, more than 60% of its audience members are attending a live ballet for the first time.
The show runs 1 hour and 40 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission, and is recommended for ages 2 and older.
Two area artisans, Paradise Custom Glass of Morganton (left) and
Catawba Artisan of Lenoir will be featured along with five others
at the Nov. 7 Hickory Furniture Mart collaboration with the Blue
Ridge National Heritage Area.
FOR THE PAPER
Two local artisans will be among seven Western North Carolina makers featured Saturday, Nov. 7, during a special handcrafted showcase at Hickory Furniture Mart.
Catawba Artisan of Lenoir and Paradise Custom Glass of Morganton are participating in the event, part of a collaboration between Hickory Furniture Mart and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
The one-day showcase will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the Mart’s annual fall After Market Sale.
The event is part of Blue Ridge Handcrafted, an initiative designed to connect regional craft artists with designers, furniture makers, collectors, and customers interested in locally made furnishings and decorative pieces.
Catawba Artisan will represent woodworking, while Paradise Custom Glass will feature glasswork.
Other participating artists are Mike McKinney Woodturning, Goldhagen Glass Studios, Ross Pottery, Rogers Metals, and Whitewoven Textile Art Studio.
“This special showcase marks the second collaboration between the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and Hickory Furniture Mart to connect Blue Ridge craft artisans with those who are seeking custom handcrafted furnishings and household goods from the region’s furniture manufacturers,” stated Tracey Trimble, Executive VP & GM at Hickory Furniture Mart. “Furniture making and craft artistry are two of North Carolina’s culturally historic creative industries.”
Customers attending the event also can register to win a $1,500 gift certificate toward a custom item from one of the participating Blue Ridge Handcrafted artisans or furniture makers. The winner does not have to be present and will be contacted Nov. 10.
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area’s Blue Ridge Craft Trails initiative includes more than 340 artists, studios, galleries, and organizations across 25 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary.
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