A FABULOUS PERFORMANCE!

SORRY IF YOU MISSED IT!

The 2012 Chocolate Nutcracker Was Wonderful

 

 

 

"Completely entertaining from beginning to end!"   - D. Parks

 

"This was the most entertaining Christmas Performance that I have seen in years!  I loved it!"  - S. Simon

 

"Too cute."   - L. Sanders

 

"I have attended since the first year and I have always loved watching the kids perform." - G. Mays

 

 

The verdict is in.  The 2012 Chocolate Nutcracker in Birmingham wowed the crowd.  From beginning to end, dancers aged 5 and up owned the stage in scene after scene as parents, grandparents, family and friends looked on with pride and delight.  "How do they remember all of those moves?" remarked a grandmother as she watched in amazement, "This is a total treat for me!"

 

"Completely entertaining.  Completely."  K. Jones

 

"Seeing the babies dance brought tears to my eyes."  S. Johnson

 

 

CAST PARTY

 

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Chocolate Nutcracker 2012

In Appreciation for all your hard work

Cast Party

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Hopewell Family Community Life Center

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

FREE TICKETS...ACT FAST!

“CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER BIRMINGHAM”Ticket Giveaway for Youth Service Organizations

 

 

Local youth service organizations can call the City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services (DYS) to reserve tickets to “CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER BIRMINGHAM” during its 2012 National Tour. For "One Night Only", come experience cultural heritage through dance, song, rhythms, narration and drama. Entertainment for the entire family! The event takes place on Friday, December 14, 2012 at the Boutwell Auditorium beginning at 7:00 PM. There is also a special matinee showing for Birmingham students at 10:00 AM.

The Chocolate Nutcracker is a professional musical stage production by LaVerne Reed of New York. Set in early 1950’s Harlem, this production tells the story of young Claire and the Chocolate Nutcracker doll, shaped like a prince, as the two journey around the world in a dream.

Beginning today, organization leaders (Executive Directors, School Principals, Pastors, Coaches, etc.) can call DYS at 205-320-0879 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to reserve tickets for the youth they serve. Up to five (5) tickets may be reserved per organization to help your efforts toward serving youth who will not be attending the student matinee showing earlier that day. Tickets will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis until all tickets have been disseminated.

Organizations must call DYS to request tickets. No email requests will be accepted.

For more information about theChocolate Nutcracker Birmingham Ticket Giveaway,

call DYS at 205-320-0879.

City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services

1608 7^thAvenue North | Birmingham, AL 35203

(P) 205-320-0879■ (F) 205-297-8139 ■ www.bhamyouthfirst.org

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DANCE

What Are The Health Benefits Of Dance?

 

 

1.  Strength - Dancing increases strength by forcing the muscles to resist against a dancer's own body weight.  The jumping and leaping into the air required by many forms of dance require tremendous leg muscle strength. 

 

 

 

2.  Flexibility - Most forms of dance require dancers to performs moves which require bending and stretching.  In order for dancers to have a full range of motion in their muscles, they must spend several minutes "warming up" prior to dancing.  This increases flexibility and reduces injuries.

 

 

3.  Cardio Endurance - Dancing is an activity which can increase exertion levels to the point that your words are choppy when you speak.  That kind of regular cardio workout can stave off illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

 

4.  Muscle Endurance -  Regular dance activity will eliminate flabby muscles, too!  The muscles are able to work harder for increasingly longer periods of time.  That builds endurance.

 

 

 

 

5.  Burn Calories - Depending on your weight and the type of dancing, you can burn up to 650 calories or more in an hour!  No more storing unused calories to carry around with you later - dancing is a great way to use all of the calories you consume.

 

 

 

 

6.  It's Fun! - Really?  Do you need an explanation?  Dancing with a group is social and fun.  It is releases endorphins, hormones that make you feel exhilarated, happy and block feelings of pain. 

 

 

Can you think of some other health benefits of dance?  Include yours in comments, below.



 

 

OUR CHOCOLATE STAR OF THE WEEK

Week of November 4th, 2012

 

Cameron Gardner

 

What school do you attend? Phillips Academy In what grade are you? 7th  What is your teacher's name? Ms. Hardin What is your favorite food? Chicken What is your favorite day of the week? Friday Why? We have family night. What is your favorite color? Red What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you?  1st Why do you enjoy dancing?  It’s the thing I like to do most. What is your favorite song? Copy Paste by Diggy Simmons What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? or What is the last movie you saw? Spiderman What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read?  Abiyoyo  What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? Halloween Why? Trick or Treating with friends.  If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To fly. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) Technology.  I would like to develop video games for Nintendo.

CHOCOLATE STARS OF THE WEEK

Week of October 28th, 2012

 

Christian King

 

 

What school do you attend? Bottenfield Middle In what grade are you? 6^th What is your teacher's name? Mitchell What is your favorite food? I love it all! What is your favorite day of the week? Sunday Why? My Grandmother cooks Sunday dinner.  What is your favorite color?  Purple What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? 1^st What is your favorite song? All songs by Mindless Behavior What is your favorite season?  Summer What is your favorite movie?  Avengers  What is the last movie you saw?  Think Like a Man  What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read? Cay What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? My Birthday Why? Gifts  If you could have one superpower, what would it be?  Flying What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?)  Actress

 

 

 

Ashley Boyd

 

 

What school do you attend? Forest Hill Middle School In what grade are you? 7^th  What is your teacher's name? Ms Hill What is your favorite food? Chicken McNuggets What is your favorite day of the week? Sunday Why? Because I get to go to church. What is your favorite color?  Pink What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? Second Why do you enjoy dancing? It is a lot of fun and movement. What is your favorite song? That’s What Makes You Beautiful What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? or  What is the last movie you saw? Ice Age 3  What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read?  Hunger Games What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? Easter Why? You get new clothes, lots of candy and celebrate Jesus. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) A Lawyer

CHOCOLATE STARS OF THE WEEK

 

Week of October 21st, 2012

Akyia Peoples

What school do you attend? Bessemer Academy In what grade are you? 1^st What is your teacher's name? Mrs. Price What is your favorite food? Spaghetti What is your favorite day of the week? Friday Why? Because my friends sleep over. What is your favorite color? Purple What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? 3^rd Why do you enjoy dancing? Dancing makes me happy! What is your favorite song? Party Rock What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? or What is the last movie you saw? Spirit What is your favorite book? or What is the last book you read? Cuddly Rabbits by Katie Kawa What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? 4^th of July  If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Super speed to run fast. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) A Cowgirl

Julia D. Holmes

 

 

What school do you attend? Chalkville Elementary In what grade are you? 3rd What is your teacher's name? Mrs. Jones What is your favorite food? Oranges What is your favorite day of the week? Friday Why? Because of Fun Fridays at school. What is your favorite color? Blue What year of participation in The Chocolate Nutcracker is this for you? First Why do you enjoy dancing? It's fun and a great way to stay in shape. What is your favorite song? Call Me Maybe What is your favorite season? Summer What is your favorite movie? Matilda What is the last movie you saw? Madagascar 3 What is your favorite book? Diary of Aklom What is the last book you read? Alice In Wonderland What is your favorite holiday, excluding Christmas? Thanksgiving Why? Because of all the good food and my family comes over. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To fly. What kind of career plans do you have? (What do you want to be when you grow up?) A dentist.