The ballet The Nutcracker is very popular this time of year. The story takes place at Christmas time, making the ballet a natural for the period between Thanksgiving and December 25.

I\’ve seen this ballet a number of times; both live onstage and on TV. I love the music any time of the  year; and I love to watch the dancing when I get the chance.

My favorite parts of the ballet, as far as the music goes, are the Waltz of the Snowflakes at the end of Act I; and the Tarantella in Act II. Which parts of the dancing I like most depends on the production. Sometimes I like the Chinese Dance best; other times it\’s the Spanish Dance (both in Act II). Or it might be the dances at the Christmas party in Act I. Or \”Snow\”.

I have yet to hear of a \”Nutcracker\” that involved a bicycle, but maybe some time a choreographer will emerge who will think to put some cycling in. Maybe during the fast-paced Trepak in Act II?