For immediate release
Ventana Ballet & Red Nightfall Dance Theatre ignite the holiday magic for the 7th annual production of The Watchmaker’s Song, an interactive re-imagining of the story of The Nutcracker, at the historic Neill-Cochran House Museum, December 12-21, 2024
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November 7, 2024 (Austin, TX)—For the seventh consecutive year, Ventana Ballet and Red Nightfall Dance Theatre present The Watchmaker’s Song, an immersive, culturally inclusive, and whimsical twist on the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, December 12-14 & 19-21. The companies will also present an interactive matinee showing for the kids on Sunday, December 15 at 12noon & 2pm, at the Neill-Cochran House Museum.
“In The Watchmaker’s Song by Ventana Ballet and Red Nightfall Dance Theatre, the sugar plums are sprinkled with extra magic and the flavor is tasted in our imaginations,” wrote Dr. David Glen Robinson of CTX Live Theatre about the 2023 production.
Upon entering the cozy, festoon-lit courtyard of the Neill-Cochran House Museum, guests can grab a seasonal cocktail and immerse themselves in this enchanted holiday tale. A mysterious character, The Watchmaker himself, emerges from the crowd and invites the attendees to embark on a journey with him down the brick-laden path surrounding the shaded oak property of the 19th century home.
Just around the corner from the courtyard, the party dancers invite the guests to join in a holiday swing-dancing party set to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s jazz rendition of the original Tchaikovsky Nutcracker music. Guests enjoy a holiday party and pop-up performances on the front lawn, meeting some charming characters, who then invite the party-goers to experience more of the magic inside the historical house. Indoors, each room of the house features live installations of cultural music and dance: Spanish Flamenco, Argentinian Tango, Indian Bollywood Dance, Egyptian Bellydance, Traditional Chinese Dance, and of course, a fabulous appearance by Mother Ginger herself.
“Indoors is where the audience discovers a world of dance. Instead of The Nutcracker's dances inspired by different cultures, here are actual dances from different cultures, performed by local residents who really know them,” wrote Faires in his 2019 Chronicle review. “The setup allows the audience to make intimate connections with these cultural dances and their dancers—something one couldn't do with a traditional Nutcracker.”
The Watchmaker’s Song presents many different styles of dance—not just classical ballet. “Since its first year in 2018, the mission of this production has been to nurture and grow the vibrant culture of Austin, giving performing artists of diverse backgrounds and cultural traditions a platform to share their brilliance, joy, and dedication to their craft,” said Dorothy O’Shea Overbey, Director of Red Nightfall Dance Theatre and the Artistic Director and Choreographer of The Watchmaker’s Song.
The Watchmaker’s Song is a whimsical version of the Nutcracker holiday favorite that engages the audience in both the traditional components of the Nutcracker Ballet and also some elements of the original story by E.T.A. Hoffman. The event culminates with a special finale of ethereal characters in the grand room before the audience exits the House, returning to the real world.
“To be so close to something you know so well from afar is to see it anew,” Robert Faires wrote of the 2019 production for The Austin Chronicle. “It is magical, and in a way, that is all this show's own.”
Choose from TWELVE uniquely different shows:
December 12-14 + 19-21 - Evening* Shows
December 15 - Interactive Kids Matinee Shows - 12pm & 2pm
*Evening Times:
Thu. Dec12 @7:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 7pm)
Fri. Dec13 @6:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 6pm)
Fri. Dec13 @8:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 8pm)
Sat. Dec14 @6:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 6pm)
Sat. Dec14 @8:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 8pm)
Thu. Dec19 @7:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 7pm)
Fri. Dec20 @6:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 6pm)
Fri. Dec20 @8:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 8pm)
Sat. Dec21 @6:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 6pm)
Sat. Dec21 @8:30pm (Doors & VIP Reception begin at 8pm)
Tickets:
VIP Admission Tickets $60 & General Admission Tickets $45
VIP guests are invited to join a special holiday reception with the artists before the show begins. VIP guests also receive Front Row Seating to the Finale. All tickets include admission to the immersive performance as well as drinks. Proceeds support artist payment and future immersive productions!
Ticketing Page for Evening Shows - https://tws2024.eventbrite.com
Ticketing Page for Kids Shows - https://twskids2024.eventbrite.com
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About Ventana Ballet
Ventana Ballet is a professional dance company based in Austin, TX, specializing in contemporary ballet dance performance. The word ventana, meaning window, embodies the company’s organizational mission and vision, seeking to provide artistically relevant, technically proficient, and publicly accessible dance performance and education opportunities to the community. Ventana Ballet’s mission is to inspire, entertain and educate audiences through disciplined and innovative approaches to presenting next-generation choreographic works. More information about Ventana Ballet can be found on the company website at VentanaBallet.com.
About Red Nightfall Dance Theatre
Founded by Dorothy O’Shea Overbey in 2017, RNDT specializes in crafting immersive experiences through interdisciplinary dance/theater performance. Our mission is twofold: to forge new mythologies that resonate with contemporary audiences and to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists whose work defies conventional categorization.
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For more information:
Contact Name: AJ Garcia-Rameau
Phone Number: 512-522-1655
Email: info@ventanaballet.com
Website: www.VentanaBallet.com
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