Live theater, festive music on tap for holidays

As the winter season rolls in, local performing arts institutions and groups are setting up to deliver the holiday spirit through live theater and music.

The “Miami City Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” makes its annual return beginning Dec. 14 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. Every season, the Miami City Ballet has captured the holiday spirit with this display of Balanchine’s choreography performed by over 100 dancers against a background of spirited Tchaikovsky music, costumes and glimmering sets.

“Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert” returns Dec. 30 to the Arsht Center for a New Year’s celebration for audiences of all ages. Freshly updated every year with a new cast and musical program, this spectacle brings to life the music of Johann Strauss and his counterparts. The maestro, an expert in Viennese music, will lead the orchestra and the audience on a journey through the Golden Age of Vienna.

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center at 3385 NE 188th St. will host the grand opening of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida’s version of “The Nutcracker.”

From Dec. 7-10, audiences will be immersed in a world of snowflakes, sugarplums and magical dolls in the production set to the score by Tchaikovsky, inspired by the tale of E.T.A. Hoffmann. Choreographed and directed by Ballet Master Vladimir Issaev, the performance will also feature the talent of Arts Ballet Theatre’s own ballet stars as they bring the principal roles to life while featuring a community cast, including local character artists and children, adding an authentic touch.

On Dec. 17, the cultural center will also present an evening of holiday cheer with international recording artist Franco Corso and his band. He will be singing all of Andrea Bocelli’s hits like “Silent Night,” “Ave Maria,” “I Believe,” “White Christmas,” “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “The Prayer” and, “Amore,” dubbed. The show includes backdrops and holiday effects that will leave audiences in the Christmas spirit.

The Miami Lyric Opera and Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center at 10950 SW 211th St. will showcase beginning Dec. 3 “The Nutcracker.” The cast features star professional ballet dancers and students from Miami Youth Ballet.

Seraphic Fire will fill the room with musical joy on Dec. 17 with “A Seraphic Fire Christmas.” Audiences will hear familiar favorites such as the hauntingly simple yet lush “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” and “Silent Night.”

On Dec. 2, Miami-Dade County Auditorium at 2901 W Flagler St. is presenting its “Nutcracker” by Armour Dance Theatre & New World School of the Arts as part of the auditorium’s “A Very Merry Holiday Season 2023” series.

As part of the holiday series, Negroni’s Trio “Ready For Christmas: A Decade of the Jazz Series Celebration,” is also hitting the stage Dec. 8. The night will be filled with rhythm, improvisation, melodies, Christmas carols, and Latin and American Christmas songs. Mr. Negroni has invited artists recognized by the Latin Grammy Academy to join the celebration as a special treat.