Media City Ballet of Los Angeles to Present CLARA'S HOLIDAY TEA PARTY 12/13

Back By Popular Demand, Natasha Middleton, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles-based Media City Ballet of Los Angeles (MCBLA), has announced that in preparation for the upcoming holiday season, the company will present, "Clara's Holiday Tea Party," A Holiday Celebration For Children of All Ages, to be hosted by Clara and The Nutcracker Prince, characters from Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky's perennial favorite holiday ballet, The Nutcracker.

The event will be held on Sunday, November 13, 2009 from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. at Woody's Café at Woodbury University; 7500 N. Glenoaks Boulevard; Burbank, CA 91504-1099. Catered by Bon Appétit, the cost is $45.00 each for Adults and $30 each for Children 12 and under, and includes Lunch, Dancing, Music, A Holiday Boutique, Cookie Decorating, Face Painting, Storytelling and A Magic Show Performed by Noted Magician, Craig Dickens. Reservations for "Clara's Holiday Tea Party" may be made by calling MCBLA at 818-972-9692 or by buying online at www.mediacityballet.org.

The Menu will feature a delectable assortment of food, including: Fresh Baked Scones with Butter and Jam; Assorted Tea Sandwiches Filled with Smoked Salmon with Dill Mustard, Maple Ham and Gruyere Cheese, Chicken Salad with Dijon Butter and Herb Cream Cheese with Cucumbers and Watercress; Stuffed Eggs with Caviar; Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches; Sliced Fresh Season Fruit Platters with Berries; Assorted Tea and Mini Cookies; and an Assortment of Organic Teas and Lemonade. There will also be a Child-friendly Menu.

Each event attendee's entry ticket will be entered into a raffle for a Family Four Pack of Tickets to see Media City Ballet's 2009 production of "A World of Holiday Dance." "Clara's Holiday Tea Party" will also feature a Nutcracker Boutique and Holiday Silent Auction. Children will delight in an afternoon of face painting, cookie decorating, seasonal songs, storytelling, magic and dance. Party attendees are encouraged to dress up for high tea and will have a chance to win Clara's crown or a Nutcracker doll.

During the course of "Clara's Holiday Tea Party," tickets for MCB's upcoming performance of "A World Of Holiday Dance," which will include excerpts from Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's perennial favorite ballet, The Nutcracker, will be available for purchase. A performance entitled "A World Of Holiday Dance" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the Alex Theatre, 216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA.

"A World of Holiday Dance" will feature performances from blue13 dance company (Bollywood-Tech); Maggie Cleary's Irish Dance; Ballet Foklorico México Azteca; Nairi Armenian Dancers of Los Angeles; Lamont Goode (Breakdance Artist) and Media City Ballet of Los Angeles performing excerpts from The Nutcracker. Tickets to "A World of Holiday Dance" are currently on sale at the Alex Box Office by calling 818-243-ALEX (2539). Discounts are available for Groups of 15 or more, Seniors, Students and Children under 12. For information on Discounted Family Packs and Group Sales, please call the Alex Theatre at 818-243-7700, ext. 216. To purchase tickets online, please visit the website, www.alextheatre.org. For further information, please about Media City Ballet of Los Angeles, please visit the website, www.mediacityballet.org.

Now celebrating its Eighth Annual Season under the guidance of Artistic Director Natasha Middleton, The Media City Ballet of Los Angeles (MCBLA) is dedicated to providing Los Angeles and the surrounding communities with quality live ballet productions, utilizing the inspired and creative talents of the local community, as well as professionals from around the world. MCBLA is the only ballet company in Los Angeles presenting performances in the tradition and philosophy of the legendary Ballet Russe de Serge Diaghilev. Natasha Middleton's grandmother, Elena Wortova, was a Soloist in the original Ballet Russe, which included other legendary dancers like Anna Pavlova, George Balanchine, Alexandra Danilova and Vaslav Nijinsky. Middleton's father, Andrei Tremaine, was a Principal Dancer with The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, and Soloist with the Ballet Nacional de Mexico and the Colon Opera Ballet of Buenos Aires. Natasha Middleton, a "Ballet Russe Baby," was a Principal Dancer for her father's ballet company, Pacific Ballet Theatre, as well as a member of the Joffrey II Ballet Company in New York City, before taking on the responsibilities of Artistic Director for Media City Ballet Company. A Junior Company trains young dancers, and prepares them for the organization's professional company. MCBLA is overseen by a distinguished Board of Directors and supported by a Guild whose chief mission is to support the ballet company and produce fund-raising activities.

WHERE: Woody's Café at Woodbury University; 7500 N. Glenoaks Boulevard; Burbank, CA 91504-1099.

WHEN: Sunday, December 13, 2009 from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.

HOW: Reservations for "Clara's Holiday Tea Party" may be made by calling, 818-972-9692. For further information and to buy tickets online, please visit the website, www.mediacityballet.org; for driving directions, please visit the website, www.woodbury.edu. The cost is $45.00 each for Adults and $30 each for Children 12 and under, and includes Lunch, Dancing, Music, A Holiday Boutique, Cookie Decorating, Face Painting, Storytelling and A Magic Show Performed by Noted Magician, Craig Dickens. Discounted Combo Tickets for both "Clara's Holiday Tea Party" and "A World of Holiday Dance," which will be presented at the Alex Theatre later this month on December 29, 2009, are available too. Please call for further information. Parking is free.

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