Eugene weekly., November 13, 2025, Page 7, Image 7

Celebrating
the
Winter Solstice
EW’s suggestions for marking
December’s end of darkness
and the sun’s return with
music, dance and plenty of
lights
BY BOB KEEFER
et’s start — where
else? — with The
Nutcracker. P yotr
Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s
f a m i l y - f r i e n d l y,
festive and frequently
performed ballet has
kept dance companies
around the country fi nancially afl oat for
decades by casting scores of aspiring
young ballerinas whose parents, uncles,
aunts and family friends buy tickets to
productions every winter holiday season.
Yes, the tale of Clara, the Prince and
the Sugar Plum Fairy has been done
nearly to death since 1954, when the
New York City Ballet discovered it was a
gold mine of ticket sales. But the endur-
ing popularity of this 1892 show speaks
to its broad appeal. Even if you never
listen to anything the rest of the year
other than Kanye West, Garth Brooks
and Taylor Swift, you already know the
music from Nutcracker.
As a city with two professional ballets,
Eugene off ers a couple opportunities to
take part in this holiday ritual.
Eugene Ballet does a classical
version of The Nutcracker opening at
7:30 pm Friday, Dec. 19, at the Hult
Center’s Silva Concert Hall, with live
music performed by OrchestraNext.
Performances continue at 2 pm and 7:30
pm Dec. 20, 1 pm and 5:30 pm Dec. 21
and 2 pm Dec. 24. Tickets are $20.50 to
$98.20 at EugeneBallet.com.
L
EW CALENDAR EDITOR
SAVANNAH BROWN AND
HER PARTNER ALEXANDER
SCHOTT ARE READY FOR
THE SEASON! SEND EVENTS
TO THE WHAT’S HAPPENING
CALENDAR AT CALENDAR.
EUGENEWEEKLY.COM!
Photo by Eve Weston
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November 13, 2025
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