Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events presents Dance-Along Nutcracker® event on Sunday, December 1 at Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago, Il, United States, 2013-10-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Parents looking for something to keep their youngsters on their toes this holiday season should look no further than the annualDance-Along Nutcracker® event presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Sunday, December 1 at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.). The FREE performances are noon and 3 p.m. under the Tiffany-stained glass dome of Preston Bradley Hall (third floor).

One hour before each performance, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., in the fifth floor Washington Room of the Cultural Center, ARCC Ballet (Art Reaching Children of Chicago) will teach basic ballet positions and movements.  Founded in 2005 by Jennifer Minkin, ARCC Ballet and ARCC Academy offer dance instruction, performance opportunities and workshops for children and adults. ARCC Ballet also offers after school dance programs to over 25 day schools throughout the Chicagoland area.

Then the real fun begins when performers of all ages and abilities are invited to dance along to the familiar music of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic with professional dancers from Ballet Chicago. Ballet Chicago’s mission is to advance American classicism in ballet by presenting inspirational and unique ballet performances to a wide audience.

Music for the Dance-Along Nutcracker® is provided by the Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band. Lakeside Price Music Ensembles reflects a legacy of bringing members and friends of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community together through music for more than 30 years. Each performance by one of its four major ensembles – marching band, jazz band, symphonic band and symphony orchestra – enables Lakeside Pride to connect with audiences everywhere. Additional information, including how to join an ensemble, is available at lakesidepride.org.

The Dance-Along Nutcracker®, created in 1985, is the property of the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, the world’s first openly gay musical organization. Any use of the name, concept or imagery without the written permission of SFLGFB is prohibited. More information is available at www.sflgfb.org.

For more information about the Dance-Along Nutcracker® and all arts programming at the Chicago Cultural Center presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, visit chicagoculturalcenter.org or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter, @ChiCulturCenter.

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The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.