Clara's season

Holiday Stage

New York Dance Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’
New York Dance Theatre’s version of the holiday treasure arrives at the Hofstra stage this weekend. It remains faithful to the tradition of the legendary George Balanchine, with guest artists from Dance Theatre of Harlem, among other dancers. This year’s featured soloists Alicia Holloway and DaVon Doane join a cast of 80 dancers, including children, who bring the ballet to life. The Balanchine tradition is maintained from storyline through choreography, and sets and costumes. This season’s production, its 35th anniversary staging, features original sequences in the Kingdom of the Snow Snow Scene, choreographed by artistic director Frank Ohman.
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, 12 and 5 p.m. $42, $32 seniors and children 12 and under. Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hempstead. (631) 462-0964 or www.ohmanballet.org.

Still more 'Nutcracker'
Long Island’s professional dance company, the Eglevsky Ballet, presents an enhanced staging of the festive holiday treat. The company, which was founded in 1961 by Andre Eglevsky, who had performed with American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet, offers up a variation on the traditional ballet choregraphed by Eglevsky’s artistic director Maurice Brandon Curry. Eglevksy ancers are joined by guest artists Alison Stroming and Nicholas Rose, principal dancers with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier. Eglevsky alumni also join the cast, appearing in the ballet’s well-known party scene.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 18, 1 and 5 p.m. $78, $58, $48. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LUI Post, Rte. 25A, Brookville. (516) 299-3100 or www.tillescenter.org or www.eglevskyballet.com.

Art Adventures

Winter Wonderland
Bring the family to welcome winter at Nassau County Museum of Art during the museum’s “Winter Wonderland” event, which features a walk through its woodlands. Using ink made from acorns, kids can explore their creative side by drawing a winter landscape scroll inspired by the exhibition of photographs by Ansel Adams. Participants can also make a hibernating animal mask and create a winter forest nightlight to brighten a cold night. Also venture outdoors on a nature walk to search for signs of forest life and hear a winter story.
Sunday, Dec. 18, 1-4 p.m. $10 materials plus museum admission: $12, $8 seniors 62 and older, $4 children 4-12. Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Dr. (off Northern Blvd.), Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or www.nassaumuseum.org.l