Moscow Ballet is partnering with animal rescue and charitable organizations across the country to raise funds through performances!

$5 from every ticket sold to the Great Russian Nutcracker by the participating organizations named below, will go back to those organizations. This is $5 off the original price of the ticket, you do not pay more for your tickets but do support the charitable missions!

The funds raised go to help abandoned and injured animals, children’s hospitals and families in need of heating assistance. With thousands of tickets sold in each city Moscow Ballet is in, support from people like you could raise tens of thousands of dollars! Find your city below…

IndyHumane's Big-Bob in Indianapolis

Dec 4 Indianapolis IN ~ Humane Society of Indianapolis (IndyHumane) Big Bob, the cat who was shot, hit by a car, and left for dead, still has some of his nine lives left..he is now in a happy home his forever family. The 100-year-old IndyHumane’s programs include adoptions, low-cost vaccine clinic, behavior helpline, canine training school, volunteer services, and the Nonie Krauss Foster Care program. See the Sunday, December 4, 5:00pm performance of the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Murat Theatre. To purchase tickets and simultaneously make a donation, go to www.nutcracker.com/indyhumane or e-mail andy@nutcracker.com with Humane Society in the subject line.

Dante in Associated Humane Society's Popcorn Park in Lakewood

Dec 7 Lakewood NJ ~ Associated Humane Societies (AHS) Meet Millie, a young female pit bull in poor condition found as a stray in Newark. Sadly, many of the pit bulls that have been brought to the Society for various reasons have been unspayed female pit bulls. Five dollars from each ticket sold, for the Wednesday, December 7, 7:30pm performance of the Lakewood premiere of the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Strand Theatre, will go to animals at Popcorn Park Zoo and others. To purchase tickets and simultaneously make a donation to the Associated Humane Societies, use the code “POPCORN” at the Strand Box Office in person.

Diamond healthy and at home in Denver

Dec 9 and 10 Denver CO ~ Colorado Helping Hands Foundation Meet the organization’s staff and learn more in the lobby of the Paramount December 9, 8:00pm and Saturday, December 10, 2:00pm performances of the Great Russian Nutcracker. Funds raised through ticket sales goes to help non-routine treatment of companion animals. To purchase tickets and simultaneously make a donation e-mail andy@nutcracker.com with HELPING HANDS in the subject line or go to www.nutcracker.com/chhf.

TAF Namesake Trio in Chicago

Dec 10 Rosemont IL ~ Trio Animal Foundation (TAF) Named after Trio, a dog who was used as bait in an illegal dogfight when she was only 4 weeks old, Trio’s owner founded TAF to help other homeless pets in need. Five dollars from each ticket sold for the Saturday, December 10, 3:00 pm performance of the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Rosemont Theatre, will help TAF programs. To purchase tickets and simultaneously make a donation go to the Rosemont Theater Box Office and use the code TRIO or go towww.nutcracker.com/gift-store/tickets/trio.

Dec 13 and 14 Fairfax VA ~ INOVA Fairfax Hospital for Children The non-profit organization provides comprehensive medical services for children, a pediatric emergency department, a pediatric intensive care unit and the region’s largest neonatal intensive care unit. $5 from each ticket sold by INOVA for the December 13 and 14, 7:30pm performances at GMU’s Concert Hall, will go directly to help area children in need. To purchase tickets, and simultaneously make a donation, go to www.nutcracker.com/inova and use the code INOVA or e-mail andy@nutcracker.com.

Dec 17 and 18 Baltimore MD ~ Fuel Fund of Maryland announce that $5 from each “Fuel Fund ticket” goes directly to provide heat and home utility assistance for community members most in need Buy tickets for the December 17 and 18 performances of the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Lyric Opera House. To purchase specially discounted tickets and simultaneously make a donation, use the code FUEL and still save up to $15 per ticket. E-mail andy@nutcracker.com or go to www.nutcracker.com/fuelfund.

Chih and baby in El Paso Animal Resuce League's care

Dec 23 El Paso TX ~ Animal Rescue League of El Paso (ARL) was recently involved in rescuing two horses, one llama and four dogs in a neglect case. The animals all need medical attention. With the help of Moscow Ballet patrons, ARL will continue to help stray, injured and abused animals in the El Paso community. This charitable organization does not receive government funding. $5 from each ticket sold for the December 23, 4:00 and 8:00pm performances of the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Plaza Theater, will help animals in the shelter. To purchase tickets and simultaneously make a donation, use the code RESCUE and e-mail andy@nutcracker.com or go to www.nutcracker.com/arl.

Pet Pal's Lotus in St Petersburg

Dec 26 and 27 St Petersburg FL ~ Pet Pal Animal Shelter Five dollars from each ticket sold, for the Monday and Tuesday, December 26 and 27, 7:30pm performances of the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Mahaffey Theatre, will go directly to help abandoned, injured and abused animals at Pet Pal. You can also “Meet the Cast” December 26th, at St. Petersburg Nights Restaurant and enjoy traditional Russian Cuisine, music, dancing. For Cast Party tickets, contact 727-363-3832. To purchase performance tickets and simultaneously make a donation go to www.nutcracker.com/petpal or put PET Pal in the subject line and e-mail Andy@nutcracker.com.

ASPCA's Charmin in Lakeland

Dec 29 Lakeland FL ~ SPCA, Inc. headquartered in Lakeland Executive Director Warren Cox comments, “Seeing Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is a special treat; helping our community’s orphaned animals makes the experience even more valuable.” $5 from each ticket by sold by the SPCA for the December 29, 7:30pm performance of the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Youkey Theater, helps SPCA initiatives: rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing 7,000+ animals each year; Ani-meals, a service feeding animal companions of senior citizens; Paws to Read, an innovative program pairing animals and young readers in libraries and schools; and more. To purchase tickets, and simultaneously make a donation, go to the Youkey Theater Box Office and ask for SPCA tickets or go to www.nutcracker.com/spca.

KIssy Doll meets designer Indashio backatge during NYC Fashion Week

Did you see Moscow Ballet’s Kissy Doll at the Indashio event for NYC Fashion Week? Check her out in the backstage photos, taken at the Park Avenue Audi Forum, meeting up-and-coming designer Indashio and Olympic Skater and model Johnny Weir.

KIssy Doll and Johnny Weir hit off backstage at Indashio's NYC Fashion week event

 It turns out that Johnny is a Russophile. He taught himself to read and speak Russian, trains with Russian Galina Zmievskaya and has an asteroid named after him, at the suggestion of his many Russian fans!

The cameras loved Kissy Doll and kept flashing as she sat in the front row of the show. Runway models for Indashio’s Men’s Premium Lounge spring line included other celebrities too such as NY Jets’ Plaxico Buress; Caridee English America’s Next Top Model winner; Matt Barnes from the LA Lakers. More celebrities glittered along both sides of the front row, including our Kissy Doll.

Indashio and Kissy Doll (model Sydney Keyes) at NYC Fashion Week

Kissy Doll (modelled by Sydney Keyes) looked beautiful in her ribbon-candy skirted Great Russian Nutcracker costume designed for Moscow Ballet by theatrical designer Dennis Ballard in 2000. The bodice is woven from 100 yards of decorator ribbon and 30 yards of tulle make up the 14 layers of tutu skirt! The costume weighs about 10 pounds, one tenth the weight of the ballerina wearing it so she has to adjust her movements to accommodate. This is one of 200 Moscow Ballet costumes that travel to 60 cities for the annual tour, see more at http://www.nutcracker.com/gallery/videos.

Moscow Ballet dancer as the Kissy Doll in the Great Russian Nutcracker

"Red Dress" by Elmira Mustafina

The T-shirt Inspiration…here is the winning entry of the Exhibition by artist Elmira Mustafina. I loved the warm color and subtle look of this painting. A limited edition giclee print of this work is exclusively available in the Moscow Ballet Platinum Experience Package to Citibank cardholders. 

"The Mirror" by Anastasia Vostrezova

This is a winning entry, by artist Anastasia Vostrezova, is so sweet. How many little girls have sat in this very same pose at some time in their lives? A limited edition giclee print of this work is exclusively available in the Moscow Ballet Platinum Experience Package to Citibank cardholders.   

First Place painting "Harlequin" by Inom Mansurov

First Place entry by artist Inom Mansurov is impactful, strong and alluring. He has created numerours works using contract, geomtric forms and attitude. A limited edition giclee print of two pieces of Manusrov’s work is exclusively available in the Moscow Ballet Platinum Experience Package to Citibank cardholders.   

My view of the orchestra playing Prokofiev's Cinderella at the State Conservatory

Saw “Cinderella” that evening after judging the exhibition at the State Conservatory which was of course amazing. Here is a shot of the musicians warming up…I couldn’t help but think that maybe the next Prokofiev is among them? 

Dan in front of the first annual Ballet Art Exhibition poster at the St Petersburg State Conservatory

Exhibition poster  I am co-hosting and co-judging Moscow Ballet and St Petersburg State Conservatory’s first annual, juried Ballet Art Exhibition. Over 50 artists associated with the Conservatory participated and just three were chosen as top winners whose art will be included in the Platinum Experience Package this fall. Click to vote for your favorite.    

Dan Talmi, Nataliya Yablakova and legendary Oleg Vinogradov announcing winners

The winners are… I am with Natalia Yablakova, Conservatory Curator of the Exhibition and the Conservatory’s Director of Dance and legendary choreographer Oleg Vinogradov announcing the Exhibition winners. It was a tough decision but we think you will approve!

Dinner May 20 - Rabbit and Mushroom Pie

Dinner at last! This rabbit and mushroom quiche was delicious…maybe my favorite dish on the whole trip.

Powerful lions hold up the bridge outside my hotel room

View from my room at St Petersburg’s Istoriya Hotel overlooks a stunning pair of lions holding up the bridge over the Griboyedov Canal.

At the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in front of statue of the founder

Day 2 May 21 Here I am at the Rimsky-Korsakov St Petersburg State Conservatory. It was founded in 1862 by composer Anton Rubinstein sitting behind me. Graduates include names like Pytor Tchaikovsky, Sergey Prokofiev,  George Balanchine and many others. In 2012 the conservatory will celebrate its 150^thanniversary. Why am I here?…to judge the first Moscow Ballet-Rimsky-Korsakov Exhibition with Oleg Vinogradov. More on that tomorrow!

Approaching the world famous Vaganova Academy

Empress Anna, founder of the Vaganova Academy, in the main lobby

Vaganova ~ I arrive in Moscow and visit the Vaganova Ballet Academy straight away meeting with a school director.  The Vaganova has graduated a galaxy of renowned  dancers:  Anna Pavlova, Vatslav  Nijinsky, George Balanchine,  Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova, Oleg Vinogradov, and Yuri Grigorovich, to name just a few. The director told me that each year 5000 9 year olds apply, 75 are accepted and just 25 graduate!  

Moscow Ballet partners with St Petersburg’s Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in the first annual “Ballet Art Juried Exhibition.” Held in May 2011 in anticipation of the 150^th Anniversary of the prestigious Conservatory, prints of the top three selected artist’s work are available exclusively in Moscow Ballet’s Platinum Experience ticket package for the 60 city tour of Romeo and Juliet and the Great Russian Nutcracker. 

Red Dancer, by Elmira Mustafina, and in Moscow Ballet Platinum Package

Over 50 artists, associated with the Conservatory, entered the contest. The three winners, Inom Mansurov, Elmira Mustafina and Anastasia Vostrezova, received prize purses in addition to having their art included in the Platinum Experience. Legendary choreographer, considered by many to be the greatest working ballet classicist, Oleg Vinogradov chaired the exhibition and was one of 3 judges. Vinogradov is himself a painter and current Director of Dance at the renowned Conservatory.

Moscow Ballet is honored by his support of the inaugural exhibition and feels that his long standing artistic vision is a contributing factor in the world-wide success that ballet has seen in the last half century. Other judges include Moscow Ballet producer Dan Talmi and Natalia Yablakova, director at the Conservatory and curator of the exhibition.

Exhibition judges Dan Talmi, Nataliya Yablakova and Oleg Vinogradov

Moscow Ballet keeps the standard of their productions at the highest artistic level which is consistently recognized by the press;  “Expansive…the Russian style is elegantly generous, and so the experience is never meager” Alastair Macaulay NY Times; “Aristocratic finesse” Donald Rosenberg Plain Dealer; and “Breathtaking, awe-inspiring” Charleston Today.  Moscow Ballet’s unique work in bringing acclaimed Russian dancers and artists in all genres, now including visual painters, to North America continues to expand the artistic experience of its American patrons.  www.nutcracker.com.

All summer Moscow Ballet soloists have been conducting Summer Intensives for aspiring dancers across the country. They have been to Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and more. Here are some of the responses from teachers and students alike:

Senior Erin Sestrich, from the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, noticed about the teaching style. “It takes us out of our comfort zones, our regular classes are more fast-paced–she focuses on the basics rather than ‘tricks,’ on making us stronger. And it definitely broadens your horizons. It helps you understand the different cultures that make up the art form.”

Moscow Ballet soloist Svetlana Todinova and young students

The Pittsburg Almanac writes, “This is where the superstars come from…read more.”

The Advertiser-Tribune, outside of Toledo Ohio, interviewed In Motion dance Studio owner Jenny Karl. When she was a young dancer, she would have appreciated the chance to work with a professional dancer, especially in the Russian tradition. “This would be the comparable to working one-on-one with an Olympic athlete for a week,” she said, “You are working with the best of the best and for a comparable experience you would have to travel to somewhere like New York or L.A.” …read more.

In Galesburg Illinois, about 40 students ranging in age from 8 to 21 and hailing from the Knox County region, as well as Colorado, Indiana and Michigan, have five days with Miroshynk thanks to the Orpheum Theater and Knox College partnership. “I’m just really excited,” said student Hedges. “I just got back Saturday from a five-week summer intensive at Orlando, and now I get to dance another full week here.”

Hedges, McGrath and Lathrop said, almost in unison, why they were attending this week’s intensive: “I just love dancing.” The girls said they use ballet to express themselves, show how they feel, and that ballet takes up a majority of their lives. Sound familiar? “Dancing is pretty much the only thing I do,” said Lathrop, “I have no life other than dance. It’s where I spend my time, and I love it.” Read more…

Kristina Jaczesko, a senior at Baldwin High School, has participated in all the Moscow Ballet’s summer intensives and danced in the shows and sums up the Moscow Ballet Summer Intensive experience, “It’s amazing,” she said, “It’s like seeing what you could be in the future.”

Svetlana and students

Moscow Ballet teacher Svetlana Todinova demonstrating for advanced students

Moscow Ballet's Masha and Bear of Strength in the Great Russian Nutcracker

Looking for a great idea for summer birthdays?  Remember the holiday party in the Great Russian Nutcracker with puppets and dancing toys? Here is a recipe to make a “Moscow Ballet style” party that is fun to create and to attend. Puppetry is a grand Russian tradition and Moscow Ballet Scenic designer Valentin Federov is one of the best in his field. He created the life-sized puppets in the Great Russian Nutcracker and you can create your own life-sized puppet too!  Find step-by-step instructions and enter-to-win the “Princess Party” or “Valentin Bear Party” gifts for a very special summer party. Click for details, register by August 5. 

Moscow Ballet's Valentin Federov with puppet friends from the Great Russian Nutcracker

Valentin Fedorov  created Moscow Ballet’s dancing Unicorn, the three-headed Rat King and the balalaika playing Bear of Strength, a beloved symbol of Russia. He also created Uncle Drosselmeyer’s hand puppets and theater seen in Act I and the 9 fanciful backdrops embellished with 3-D effects. Called “the Russian Bear” himself by his colleagues, Fedorev is a protégée of legendary Valery Leventhal of the Bolshoi Ballet .

Summer Savings: use SAVE2 code to save up to $20/ticket and receive a Moscow Ballet Tote bag too. Order online or by phone, offer ends July 31.

Hand-made puppet-doll in Act I of the Great Russian Nutcracker

Audition to perform with the Moscow Ballet pros: this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is like training with an Olympic athlete. Prepare for an experience that could change your life! Most auditions are conducted by Moscow Ballet soloist/teachers and run from mid-August to mid-October. Find one near you.

By Nick Lewandowski For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net

Last week Pittsburgh area dancers had the opportunity to take classes with Tatyana Makarova, founder of the Cincinnati Dance Academy and a former Moscow Ballet soloist.

Moscow Ballet Soloist and teacher Svetlana Todinova in great form at the barre

Makarova taught three days of master classes at the Academy of Dance by Lori in Mt. Lebanon, in cooperation with the Moscow Ballet and the ACOYA Project.