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Community Corner

Dance Into the Holidays with Sugarloaf Ballet

Sugarloaf Ballet will offer two dynamic performances this holiday season. On Tuesday, December 17th at 7:30pm, Sugarloaf Ballet will present its first Nutcracker Excerpts. On Wednesday, December 18th at 7:30pm, they will share the birth of Christ through movement during their 8th annual Nativity Ballet performance. Both exciting performances will take place at the Gwinnett Center. Tickets for Nutcracker Excerpts will be $12.00 and include a special performance by the Gwinnett Choral Guild.  The Nativity Ballet will remain free and open to the public as part of Sugarloaf Ballet's mission to enrich the Sugarloaf and surrounding metropolitan Atlanta communities through the instruction and performance of ballet and other dance genres.

This year Sugarloaf Ballet wanted to involve Sugarloaf Performing Arts (SPA) ballet students in the holiday excitement and festivities. The result was a new performance featuring SPA ballet students dancing Nutcracker favorites with Sugarloaf Ballet company members. Lori Zamzow-Wire, Michelle Bourgeois and other Sugarloaf Ballet artistic staff have partnered to create incredible renditions of well-loved Nutcracker suites. Audiences can expect to see Peppermints, Angels, Snow, Waltz of the Flowers, Dance of the Sugarplum, just to name a few.  Arabian, Chinese and Spanish scenes will also be included in the production.  As an extension of the theme of sharing, Sugarloaf Ballet has partnered with the Gwinnett Choral Guild for this inaugural performance. Gwinnett Choral Guild just celebrated 30 years of active arts achievement. "This collaboration is adding a new artistic element to our performance. Two arts organizations working together is creating greater cultural exposure for our audiences and community. The connection is also bridging a generational gap; our young dancers are exposed to the poise and professionalism of more seasoned performers," says Michelle Bourgeois, Sugarloaf Ballet Company Director.  Leading into the last week before Christmas, the live performance with dozens of melodic voices and accompaniment on the full grand piano will invite the joy and wonder of the Christmas season into the hearts of all who attend.  The Gwinnett Choral Guild will inspire audiences with cherished holiday classics and treasured Christmas carols. Renee Wilson-Wicker, Gwinnett Choral Guild Artistic Director added, "We are honored to be featured with the Sugarloaf Ballet. It is a privilege to share our musical talents with such an artistically talented company. As always, we strive to enrich our community through choral performance."

The celebration will continue with Sugarloaf Ballet's annual Nativity Ballet production. With a growing cast and flourishing audience, the production has been moved to the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center.  Last year's performances featured more than 40 dancers and introduced four new pieces to the production. "We are so blessed. A generous donor whole-heartedly believed in the message attached to this ministry and wanted to help us. Through their benevolence, we are able to continue offering this inspiring performance to the surrounding community free of charge. We are able to share the Gospel and the true reason for the season, Jesus.", Lori Zamzow-Wire, Sugarloaf Ballet Artistic Director. Over the last seven years, the production has grown into a full-length show. Audiences are taken on the journey from the angel's foreshadowing of Jesus' birth through the jubilee of his arrival. In addition to beautiful costumes, the set includes a manger protecting the swaddling infant and animals overlooking the arrival of visiting angels and traveling wise men.

Both, Nutcracker and Nativity are family-friendly shows set to inspire audience members of all ages. Sugarloaf Ballet continues to become a part of family and community holiday traditions with their annual dance events.
Sugarloaf Ballet's upcoming performances include Youth Concert Series January 25th-26th at Gwinnett Center.  More information about the performances, including Nutcracker ticket purchases, can be obtained through the Sugarloaf Ballet office at 770-476-0025.   

About Us
 Sugarloaf Ballet is a nonprofit performing company founded by Lori Zamzow-Wire with a mission to professionally inspire young artists through excellence in performing arts education. Led by Artistic Director, Lori Zamzow-Wire, and Company Director, Michelle Bourgeois, Sugarloaf Ballet presents 3 full-length productions each year: Family Classic (October), Nativity Ballet (December) and Youth Concert Series (January). Sugarloaf Ballet includes student, pre-professional and college level companies.  The Sugarloaf Ballet is housed at Sugarloaf Performing Arts, a 7,000 sq. ft. instructional facility, in Duluth, GA. Sugarloaf Performing Arts is located at 1140 Old Peachtree Road, Ste. B, Duluth, GA 30097. For more information, please call 770-476-0025.

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