Murphy has performed with Alameda Civic Ballet since she was six. She’s a Snowflake and Dew Drop this year, but played the role of Clara years ago. Murphy’s friend and fellow classmate Isabel Saxty, 15, snagged the well-known part for this year’s production because “she’s an amazing dancer.” Saxty, also a sophomore at Alameda High said it was her time. “I’ve been kind of on the verge of getting it for a long time and this year, I guess I was just chosen. Since it’s only the one show, I always look forward to rehearsals,” said Saxty, who will play Clara during the Dec. 18 performance. “There’s new choreography this year. We’ve advanced and progressed a lot so we’re able to do a lot more choreography now. Plus, we’re a lot older now.”.
Artistic director Graham Lustig swept in five years ago, as the company came back to life after a brief 2006 closure, Lustig provided a financial foothold with his exemplary production of “The Nutcracker.”, Now he has programmed a ballet flats myer May 23-24 weekend of dance that simultaneously celebrates Oakland Ballet’s past triumphs, and looks to its future with a bevy of newly commissioned world premieres, Lustig also hopes the company can play a new role as a community-building catalyst, helping bring the disparate elements of the East Bay dance scene together..
“This Book Drive is an exciting partnership with the Daly City Public Library Associates and a great way for locals to give back to our community,” said Serramonte Center Marketing Director Marie Villarosa. “Also, for each book donated, shoppers will be eligible to win a mall gift card — so the more books people donate the more chances to win!” The mission of the DPCLA is to raise private funds to add to public funding of the Daly City libraries by developing community, civic, and business support for fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs that benefit the diverse community and promote greater awareness of the library’s valuable resources. To learn more, go to www.DPCLA.org.
A Scottish Nutcracker: The San Jose School of Highland Dancing presents its ninth annual evening of music and dance, featuring solo piper Bruce Cotter and the Macintosh Pipe Band, Dec, 13, 7-9 ballet flats myer p.m, Sacred Heart Gym, 13716 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, $15-$20; free for children under 5, sanjosehighlanddance.com, Hansel and Gretel: Presented by Bayshore Lyric Opera, Dec, 13-14, Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, $12-$16, bslopera.com, A Winter Wonderland: The Academy of Classical Ballet presents an hour-long ballet with ice skaters, woodland creatures and professional adult ballerinas, Dec, 14, 1 p.m, and 5 p.m, Campbell Heritage Theatre, 1 W, Campbell Ave., Campbell, $15, 408-886-2700, HeritageTheatre.org..
The California Symphony season comes to its finale with Brahms’ second symphony and a world premiere. The performance is at 4 p.mm. May 8, at the Hofmann Theatre at the Lesher Center of the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, in Walnut Creek. Also featured is the commission of Young American Composer in Residence Jason Vieaux. Tickets are from $42-$72 and can be purchased in person at the Lesher Center ticket office, online at www.lesherartscenter.org or by calling 925-943-7469. Poison Apple’s ‘Music Man, Jr.’ set for April 29.
