Holiday Traditions

The Rockville Centre-based troupe, together with Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, presents its traditional full length production, once again accompanied by the South Shore Symphony Orchestra. This production is the only full-length version on Long Island to feature a live 70 piece orchestra. The performance features dancers from the Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Cirque du Soleil, Moiseyev Ballet, and Les Ballets Trocodera, along with young dancers from the metropolitan area.See the holiday classic Friday through Sunday, Dec. 2-4 at South Side High School, 140 Shepherd St. Rockville Centre. For tickets and more information, call (516) 766-7171.

Long Island's professional dance company celebrates its 44th year with spectacular production, choreographed by the company's artistic director, Ali Pourfarrokh. The sugar plums, candy canes and snowflakes come alive, dancing to Tchaikovsky's lush score. Heading this year's company of 62 dancers are guest artists Bonnie Pickard and Momchil Mladenv of The Suzanne Farrell Ballet Company. They'll dance the roles of Snow Queen and The Cavalier. They are supported by a cast of talented Long Island dancers, selected through competitive auditions.The five performances run Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-27, at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, C.W. Post Campus, Brookville. For information and reservations, call Tilles Charge at (516) 299-3100 or www.tilles-center.org.

New York Dance Theatre's production, is performed in the tradition of George Balanchine, with guest artists from New York City Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. This year's featured soloists are New York City Ballet's Jennifer Tinsley and Jason Fowler; Griff Braun, principal dancer with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet; Nicole Loizides of MOMIX; and Suzanne Farrell Ballet's Eric Ragan.New York Dance Theatre maintains the Balanchine tradition from storyline through choreography, and sets and costumes. It does, however, offer original scenes and sequences, created by artistic director Frank Ohman. His original choregraphy includes a sequence between the naughty "Fritz" and a dancing bear, along a trilogy of new confections in the Kingdom of Sweets in Act. II.The six performance schedule runs Dec. 16-18, at Hofstra University's John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hempstead. For information and tickets, contact (631) 462-0964.

This annual, drive-through animated light display enchants visitors every holiday season at Jones Beach's West End. Over one million lights dazzle visitors in a wide array of displays. This year's "Santa On The Go" theme features Santa riding in a hot air balloon, on a motorcycle, in a golf cart, kayaking, surfing, hopping into his sleigh, and much more. Also not to be missed is the popular favorite, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."The expanded Holiday Village offers families a unique winter destination. After visiting the lights. patrons can visit the village where they may take pictures with Santa, enjoy refreshments, and holiday decorations. And, don't forget to bring the family pet on Pet Night -- Santa takes pictures with pets every Wednesday! The Holiday Light Spectacular is open Nov. 25 through Jan. 1. For further information, or to buy tickets, call the holiday hotline at (516) 221-1000 or www.holidaylightspectacular.com.