Ballet des Amériques Presents Nutcracker Dream at the Emelin Theatre
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The Emelin Theatre resumes a holiday tradition – NUTCRACKER DREAM – in partnership with Westchester’s premier professional dance company Ballet des Amériques, with a magnificent backdrop plus new costumes and choreographies to keep faithful audiences engaged and excited.
The Emelin Theatre is proud to present Nutcracker Dream, performed by Ballet des Amériques, one of the few professional dance companies in the New York metro area producing this holiday classic. Inspired by the work of Rudolf Nureyev and Marius Petipa, this 90-minute family-friendly adaptation is an exquisite interpretation of the beloved holiday classic.
French-American choreographer Carole Alexis reimagines the traditional story by drawing on her multicultural heritage and choreographic vision. This production is based on A Story of a Nutcracker (1844) by Alexandre Dumas, a Caribbean and French author whose multicultural background mirrors the richly diverse origins of the cast. Alexis creates an energetic production with dancers that engage, surprise, and delight. “Carole’s adaptation speaks to all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds,” says Emelin’s Board President, Mark Ettenger, “and ticket prices are set at levels that are accessible, affordable and inclusive, all central to the Emelin’s mission."
Among the standout performers are Johnathon Hart, a rising star recently featured in Dance Magazine, dancing the Cavalier alongside Sugar Plum soloist Isodale Alexis. Also featured is Rosella Dunkerley, a 17-year-old local talent who has trained at the Ballet des Amériques Conservatory for six years and performs multiple roles with aspirations of becoming a professional dancer.
Young dancers from Westchester County perform children’s roles, showcasing a vibrant local presence in the production. The new magnificent backdrop, costumes, and fresh choreographies ensure that faithful audiences remain engaged and excited. Additionally, this presentation marks an extraordinary collaboration between two arts organizations committed to celebrating the performing arts and fostering community connections.
This exclusive engagement at the Emelin includes eight matinee and evening performances in December. Tickets starts at $41 for adults and $30 for students, inclusive of all fees, in keeping with the mission of making the arts affordable and accessible.
The opening Gala is Saturday, December 14 at 7PM, and a limited number of VIP packages are being offered. Subsequent performances are scheduled twice daily at 1:30 PM and 5 PM on December 15, 21, 22 and 26.
A TREASURED PARTNERSHIP AND TRADITION | Ballet des Amériques has been staging productions at the Emelin Theatre since 2012. Nutcracker Dream premiered at the Emelin in 2018, and was staged again in 2019, and most recently in 2023 to sold-out audiences.
ABOUT CAROLE ALEXIS | Carole Alexis is a choreographer, producer, dance educator and pedagogue and the founder and director of the Carole Alexis Ballet Theatre/Ballet des Amériques, who has won numerous awards and proclamations for her contributions to the arts and the advancement of culture. Most recently, in 2021, Carole Alexis was named Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, and in 2023, she was honored with the Artist Award by ArtsWestchester. A student of Maurice Béjart, Alexis’ choreographic work is rooted in classical ballet training and tradition while drawing upon influences as disparate as children's games, island rituals, natural phenomena, and modern urban life.
ABOUT BALLET DES AMÉRIQUES | Under the directorship of Carole Alexis, Ballet des Amériques has been staging productions at the Emelin Theatre since 2012. The company’s extensive and eclectic repertoire bears Carole Alexis’ distinctive signature and vision, reinvigorating “ballet” for new audiences and dance connoisseurs alike. Proclaimed “Westchester’s Premier Dance Company” by the County Executive and voted “Best Ballet Company” by the editors of Westchester Magazine, Ballet des Amériques has danced in nearly 200 productions throughout Westchester, the greater New York City area and overseas and is committed to developing inclusive dance audiences through choreography and performances of the highest quality.
ABOUT THE EMELIN | Founded in 1972, the Emelin Theatre is a non-profit organization that brings world class performing arts to Westchester County. Promoting a cultural life that entertains and educates our audience, the Emelin presents numerous world class events including all genres of music, comedy, dance, and family theatre, plus a broad range of independent and contemporary film. Well-known for our high-quality and affordable programs, the Emelin is one of the few performing arts venues in our region offering such a broad mix of entertainment appealing to all ages and tastes, attracting audiences from Westchester County and beyond. Voted Best of Westchester Professional Theatre 2020. Best of Westchester Children's Theatre 2023. (Westchester Magazine)
The Emelin Theatre’s 2024-25 programs are made possible in part by ArtsWestchester with support from Westchester County Government and by New York State Council on The Arts.
For more information, please visit here.
Emelin Theater:
153 Library Lane
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Email: boxoffice@emelin.org
Website: www.emelin.org
Box Office in-person Hours: Two hours prior to any scheduled performance.
The Holidays- Fun or Frustrating?
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This was submitted by Dr. Ilana Rosenberg of Scarsdale Psychology Associates
Many people love getting together with family for the holidays. Many people want to leave the table screaming. It can be tough to connect with family members who may have different political views, have caused you hurt or trauma, or that you just don't like.
Here's a tip to help you get through with sanity and grace:
Most Generous Interpretation
Dr. Becky talks about finding the most generous interpretations of children's behaviors. I think she's right. It's important to understand that both children and adults are trying to do the best they can with the resources they have available to them.
People survey their environment and respond to internal and external triggers to create safety for themselves. Even adults are dealing with younger parts of themselves that may come out when getting together with family.
Say your obnoxious cousin or aunt is at Thanksgiving and loudly voices a political opinion that you find abhorrent.
Or say you spent the week prepping for the meal, shopping and cooking and your mom mentions that the turkey is dry, or has a negative look on her face.
If you take it personally, you’ll feel badly and it could ruin your day.
Instead of thinking: what’s wrong with that person? Try asking: what happened to that person?
If you can see beyond the person’s mask, you can see their obnoxious comment as a defense they’re using to protect themselves and you can understand how this defense gets in the way of their being at ease in the world. Replacing judgment with compassion, can help you see the goodness at their core.
Applying the most generous interpretation of another person’s behavior won’t just help the other person feel better. It will make your holiday more enjoyable!
Ilana D. Rosenberg, Ph.D. is the founder of Scarsdale Psychology Associates (SPA). She believes that developing self compassion is a game changer in life, and that the chemistry of the match between you and your therapist is what helps make therapy so powerful. SPA has therapists who are warm and compassionate, so that you feel cared for every step of the way.
www.ScarsdalePsychologyAssociates.com 914-901 3520
Last Minute Move By Mamaroneck Tigers Ends the Raiders Run
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The Scarsdale High School Varsity Football Team gave it their all in the semifinal playoff game against Mamaroneck at home on Friday night November 8, 2024. The Raiders came out strong and led the Tigers 14-7 at the half. In the third quarter, although Mamaroneck scored a tying touchdown and extra point, the Raiders still looked strong and even had a third interception of the game by senior Logan Mancusi.
The stands were packed with students, parents and community members of all ages. Most fans got the memo to dress in the USA theme of red, white and blue attire. There were flags waving, cheerleaders flying and loud chants to spur the Raiders on.
The blustery wind made for tricky conditions on the field and the temperature dropped throughout the game to a chilly low 50’s. The wind whipped up the leaves and debris from the stands and it looked like a snowstorm coming down.
Tragically, in the last minutes of the fourth quarter, the Tigers moved the ball down the field and in the final 5 seconds of the game, with good field position (within 10 yards of the goal), they scored the winning field goal to end the game Mamaroneck 17, Scarsdale 14.
Despite the sad loss, the Raiders were proud of their tenacity and performance throughout the season. It has been several years since Scarsdale has made the playoffs and all their hard work got them far this season.
A Parisian Bistro in Harrison
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This weekend we happened into another newish area restaurant, masquerading as a neighborhood bar but delivering haute cuisine. Café Deux, on Main Street in Harrison appears to be a local hangout but the fare is as good as you’ll find in Manhattan.
Open for three meals a day, we tried dinner on Saturday night and were pleased to find an eclectic menu, skewing French but with Indian, Italian and American influences.
Overhanging the bar is a long string of lights, casting a warm glow and giving the restaurant a modern flair. On the way in we noticed a case filled small dark chocolate cupcakes that we didn’t have room to sample on the way out. Next time.
The drinks menu was extensive – with a wide variety of wines, spirits, mixed drinks and mocktails. Something for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.
The menu includes starters to share, salades, moules, pastas, “Les Autres” and sides and offered a tempting array for meat eaters, fish lovers and vegetarians.
To start, we split an ample portion of the Fall Harvest Salad with romaine, radicchio, endive, oranges, figs, beets, radish and ricotta salata. We were tempted to try the whipped ricotta and fig toast and the duck confit Lyonnaise.
Mussels, either in a classic white wine sauce or with curry are served with fries or baguette.
Very popular are the burgers. There’s a Deux Wagyu Burger with house aioli, cheddar and fries – but you can also upgrade to truffle fries with parmesan and white truffle oil. Those are rich enough to share with everyone at the table.
I went for the Poulet Roti Masala, which was a sliced chicken breast covered with roasted chickpeas, haricots verts, prunes, mint, basil and cilantro. It was aromatic and yummy. I would love to have the recipe. The tuna nicoise salade had spiced, blackened tuna with a soft boiled egg, potatoes and nicoise olives. Another nice option.
For dessert we were happy to find a few flavors of Caffe Panna Ice Cream and had to share a few for the table.
Café Deux was a pleasant surprise within a quick drive to Scarsdale, but with an air of Paris.
Try them soon and let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Cafe Deux
307 Halstead Avenue, Harrison
https://www.cafedeuxny.com/
Scarsdale Foundation Bowl Committee Seeks Nominations for 2025 Honorees
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The 2025 Scarsdale Bowl Committee is looking for nominations for both the 2025 Bowl Award recipient and 2025 Spotlight Award recipient. The Scarsdale Bowl Committee seeks as many deserving candidates for consideration as possible.
The Scarsdale Bowl Committee will hold its first of several meetings dedicated to selecting this year’s honorees on December 8, 2024. Nominees for both the Bowl Award and the Spotlight Award are requested on or before December 6th.
The Scarsdale Bowl, under the auspices of the Scarsdale Foundation, has been awarded annually since 1944, to an individual (or, in exceptional cases, to a married couple or domestic partners) who have given “unselfishly of their time, energy and effort to the civic welfare of the community.” The founding donors of the Bowl believed that “many who serve generously and voluntarily, without office, honor, or publicity, are those deserving of having their names permanently inscribed on the Scarsdale Bowl.” The Scarsdale Bowl Award is an enormous honor bestowed on a Scarsdale resident in recognition of his or her volunteer public service in the community over the course of some decades. The Bowl itself, with the honorees engraved names, is permanently displayed at the Scarsdale Public Library.
Candidates must be Scarsdale residents who do not currently hold elective office; to access the Bowl Award nominee recommendation form, please visit this URL:
In addition, the Scarsdale Foundation will continue the tradition it began in 2023 and present a second award, called the Spotlight, to honor an individual or an organization that has made a significant impact and brought about positive change in one targeted sphere of community engagement.
The Spotlight Award recognizes a Scarsdale resident or institution that has focused on moving the needle in one particular area.
Candidates must be Scarsdale residents or institutions, and individuals may not currently hold elective office; to access the Spotlight Award nominee recommendation form, please visit this URL:
This year, the Scarsdale Foundation Bowl Dinner will be held on April 24th at Mamaroneck Beach
and Yacht Club. The dinner will pay tribute to the honorees while celebrating the spirit and culture of volunteerism in Scarsdale. Funds raised at the dinner will enable the Foundation to continue its mission of quietly but effectively helping local individuals and community organizations through student scholarships and project grants. Most significantly, the Scarsdale Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships during the past ten years to Scarsdale’s high school graduates in their sophomore, junior and senior years of college.
The 2024 Scarsdale Foundation Bowl Committee members are: Penny Bauersfeld, Randi Culang, Elise Flagg, Lori Kaplan, Tracy Lazarus, Angela Manson, Toby Milstein Schulman, Daniela Retelny, Alli Seiden, Ryan Spicer, Stephanie Stern, Claudie Uribe and Julie Zhu. Cynthia and Marc Samwick are serving as Co-Chairs, with Amy Cooper serving as Secretary and Isabel Finegold serving as Treasurer. Isabel Finegold, a Scarsdale Foundation Trustee, will also serve on the committee as a liaison, along with Anne Lyons, President of the Scarsdale Foundation Board.
We look forward to gathering on April 24th to recognize all that makes Scarsdale a special place to live, and to benefit generations to come.
Questions? Please reach out to Cynthia and Marc Samwick, Bowl Chairs at cynthia.samwick@gmail.com or marc.samwick@gmail.com. Additional information about the Scarsdale Foundation can be found at www.scarsdalefoundation.org
