KIDS CAVORT, CAPER AND CONTORT AS CANDY CANES AND CAVALIERS CONVERGE ON SC CHILDREN'S LIBRARY FOR ITS 24TH ANNUAL INTRODUCTION TO THE NUTCRACKER
Story and Photographs by Northwordnews
Headline by Dan DiPietro Children cavorted, capered and contorted to the sounds of Tchaikovsky at the Sea Cliff Children's Library's 24th annual Nutcracker Workshop on Saturday, December 10 as they were introduced to the story, dance, and music of the Christmas-time classic, as well as to ballet as an art form. Sea Cliff resident Dan DiPietro, donning a wig, cape and top hat, played the role of Drosselmeyer, the eccentric nutcracker bearing godfather, and Children's Library Director Ann DiPietro, the Mother Ginger. After Mr. DiPietro offered a lesson in ballet basics and some of the steps that would be used during their performance, the young students, taking turns playing the roles of Clara, the children, the soldiers, Mouse King (Queen), mouse army and Sugar Plum fairy, were guided through the story - marching, dancing and twirling their way through each scene. Once again, Sea Cliff resident Fred "the Maestro" Stroppel DJ'ed the event. The DiPietros have organized the event each December for more than two decades with hundreds of children and parents now having participated BACK TO WEEKLY |