ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Metropolitan Classical Ballet will present special performances of a condensed version of The Nutcracker ballet especially for students of the Arlington Independent School District and other area private schools. The performances will be held on December 6th, 7th and 8th at 10:30 a.m. at Texas Hall in Arlington. The performances are part of Metropolitan Classical Ballet's Children's Cultural Enrichment Program, and are designed to be both educational and fun. They are a wonderful way to acquaint students with the magic and beauty of dance, while enhancing the student's performing arts experience. The Children's Cultural Enrichment program was created in 2000 as a part of Metropolitan Classical Ballet's ongoing Artistic Outreach program, and this marks the fifth year in what has become a tradition in the community.

Contributors to the Children's Cultural Enrichment Program underwrite a portion of the cost of sending over 8,000 students to the special holiday performances. The students comprise all the third grade students from the Arlington Independent School District elementary schools, as well as students from area private schools, home schooled student groups and some special needs children. This year, the Arlington Independent School District and the law firm of Hill Gilstrap have underwritten the performances.

Metropolitan Classical Ballet board member, Kathleen Smith, who has been working with the AISD, said "Many of these children have never experienced a live ballet performance, and it is our goal to instill a lifelong appreciation of the art."

Additionally, this marks the ninth season that Metropolitan Classical Ballet (formerly Ballet Arlington) will present public performances of their Bolshoi inspired version of The Nutcracker. Choreographed by Alexander Vetrov, the beloved holiday production offers the perfect elements for family entertainment: magnificent dancing, gorgeous musical score by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky, lavish costumes and breathtaking scenery designed in part by Mr. Vetrov.

Public performances will be held at Texas Hall on the campus of the University of Texas in Arlington on Friday, December 16th at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17th at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 18th at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be set to the musical accompaniment of the Metropolitan Classical Ballet Orchestra under the direction of music director, Ron Spigelman.

Tickets for The Nutcracker range in price from $10 - $30, and are available only through Metropolitan Classical Ballet. Call (817) 275-0598 or (817) 465-4644 or order online at www.mcballet.org. Tickets are also available at the administrative office at 500 West Abram Street, Arlington, Texas. Call (817) 465-4644 for group discounts. Season sponsors include American Airlines, WRR Classical 101, and the law firm of Hill Gilstrap.

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Media Note: Further information may be obtained by contacting Judy Puder at (817) 465-4644, or Kathleen Smith may be reached at (817) 265-6252. Mark Chandler, AISD Director of fine Arts, may be reached at (817) 459-7662.