Smuin Ballet: "The Christmas Ballet"

Smuin Ballet's Holiday Show: From Classical to Cool

The Smuin Ballet's nontraditional holiday tradition is back and better than ever at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts, with a cool yuletide show featuring everything from ballet and tap to swing and jazz. This year's 20th anniversary edition of "The Christmas Ballet" starts out with snow-kissed dancers clad all in white performing classical favorites such as Tony-winning choreographer Michael Smuin's "The Gloucestershire Wassail" and "Ave Maria", as well as a new work set to "Joy to the World." The second half's red-costumed dancers let loose with a collection of fresh, fun and fantastical numbers, inspired by great tunes like "White Christmas," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Santa Baby" and a new piece based on "Home for the Holidays."