Let's All Move to the Land of Sweets

For eleven months of the year, South Floridians live in a state of perpetual summer. But every December, something magical happens: We celebrate winter. Or rather, we celebrate what we recall or imagine winter as being.

Inject yourself with an added dose of merriment and attend the most Christmassy event of all, The Nutcracker. Prima ballerinas from Key West to Broward are smoothing their ankle ribbons, preparing to enchant children young and old with their Sugar Plum Fairy solos. (The Snowflakes just watch them, longingly.)

Today and tomorrow, see a tropical take on this seasonal favorite at the Nutcracker Key West (Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Rd., Key West). In it, Clara needs the toy soldier militia to save her from the nefarious Rooster King. (We hope conch fritters are properly represented through dance — with dipping sauce.) Tickets cost $15; buy them and check show times at keystix.com.

Miami isn’t left out of the whimsy. The 305 wonders how Uncle Drosselmeyer earned his eye patch tomorrow, December 6, when the New World School of the Arts and the Thomas Armour Youth Ballet go toe to toe in the classic tale. It’s enchanting crowds for, fittingly, one magical night at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium (2901 W. Flagler St., Miami). Tickets range $10 to $25. Call 305-547-5414, or visit ticketmaster.com.

If the smell of peppermint schnapps wafting from Himmershee’s bars isn’t putting you in the holiday spirit, you absolutely must attend next weekend’s (December 12, 13, 14) performances by the delightful Miami City Ballet. Nowhere else are the men as gentile, the women as graceful, or the rats as furry as at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale). Tickets range $19.75 to $65; buy them at Browardcenter.org.
Fri., Dec. 5, 2008