A magical blend of ballet, film and community | Felipe Perez, The Sopris Sun
January 8, 2025
This story originated from Sol del Valle and has been translated for our English readers.
On Dec. 22, two prominent artistic groups, Aspen Film and DanceAspen, partnered up for a unique collaboration, bringing a cinematic adventure combined with the magic of ballet. It happened to be the acclaimed production of “The Nutcracker.”
The AF Isis Theater in Aspen hosted children, families, dancers and filmmakers, offering the chance to showcase this special and original version of “The Nutcracker.” Recently, the Royal Ballet released a wonderful film in which its top dancers perform this classic.
“The Nutcracker” is perhaps the most iconic ballet and dance production worldwide, inspiring both professional dancers and those looking to step into the world of dance. The story follows a young girl named Clara, who receives a nutcracker doll as a gift on Christmas Eve. During the night, the nutcracker comes to life and battles an army of mice before transforming into a prince and taking Clara to a magical land of sweets. Throughout the performance, elements of fantasy, enchanting music and a parade of dances combine to make “The Nutcracker” a beloved holiday classic.
Susan Wrubel, executive and artistic director of Aspen Film, shared in an interview with Sol del Valle, “This is a way for DanceAspen to give back to our community. We love doing artistic collaborations that show how film is truly a medium for expressing all forms of art.” The event organizers partnered with Paradise Bakery, a local favorite in Aspen, which generously donated cookies and hot chocolate for attendees.
Laura Winton, founder and executive director of DanceAspen, brought two of her seasoned dancers to the AF Isis Theater to introduce the film. Meredith Harril and Jonah Delgado were introduced to the audience and performed a beautiful demonstration on stage, showcasing two key steps from “The Nutcracker.”
Winton explained that DanceAspen is a relatively new company, founded three years ago, with skilled artists prepared by prestigious institutions.
“We wanted to integrate performance with audience participation and education about ‘The Nutcracker,’ because it’s often what children see when they’re learning to dance,” said Winton. “It’s a significant inspiration for young dancers, so we wanted to bring that experience to the children.”
The organization handed out magic wands to the young audience. They broke down some iconic steps seen in the film and paired them with a specific movement. Then, every time the children saw those steps on screen, they could perform them using their magic wands. A young girl was brought on stage to learn a few dance moves. In the end, there was nothing but smiles and a wonderful holiday atmosphere.
It was a magical evening for families, filled with interaction, dance and film. The audience was swept up in the magic of “The Nutcracker,” classical music and the most refined ballet steps. Best of all, it was an event that was accessible to the entire community, right in the heart of Aspen.
Aspen Film encourages you to keep an eye on their upcoming schedule, which features films and documentaries. On Jan. 17, they will present “Riley,” an award-winning film exploring important themes such as education and diverse identities. For more information,
visit www.aspenfilm.org
For dance enthusiasts, there’s the DanceStar program from DanceAspen, which inspires Valley students through dance education, as well as adult dance classes.
