Norris to host 'Nutcracker' preview, open house Nov. 30 at Baker Community Center

Holiday Homecoming paradegoers and downtown St. Charles visitors are invited to attend a free open house and "Nutcracker" ballet preview performance from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St. in St. Charles.

Dancers from Engage Dance Theatre will perform brief excerpts from "The Nutcracker" on the stage of the Baker Community Center auditorium at 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.

The Holiday Homecoming parade on Main Street is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

The Norris Cultural Arts Center will host the event as a community service and to promote its Dec. 21-22 performances of "The Nutcracker" ballet by Engage Dance Theatre in the Norris theater on the campus of St. Charles East High School.

Visitors to the open house may enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies.

The open house event will provide the community a first look at recently installed improvements in the Baker Community Center auditorium, including professional-grade theatrical lighting and sound systems.

The improvements were designed and donated by the Norris Cultural Arts Center, which will present a variety of concerts and events there under an agreement with the St. Charles Park District.

Also on parade day, Nov. 30, the St. Charles History Museum will host dancers from Engage Dance Theatre who will perform brief Nutcracker excerpts and pose for photos with museum visitors from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online for the "Nutcracker" performances at 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at The Norris, 1040 Dunham Road in St. Charles.

Visit norrisculturalarts.com for a link to online ticketing.

"We are excited to share our Nutcracker production, including Clara, Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince, plus a cast of more than 100 dancers performing to Tchaikovsky's timeless music," said Courtney Petrocci, artistic director, Engage Dance Theatre. "We couldn't ask for a better setting than the Norris Cultural Arts Center to present this beloved holiday classic, which is sure to enchant audiences of all ages."

For more information, contact Engage Dance Academy at (815) 477-0033.