Bay Area holiday music and dance events 2012

Wild, wonderful and oddly traditional, the ‘Nutcracker’ again will be out in full force this season, along with delightful alternative holiday dance events — the kind of celebrations the Bay Area does so well. Many of the shows are family-friendly; refreshments are offered at some. In chronological order, here’s the list for 2012:

Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets

With five shows each weekend in December, the local contemporary troupe’s fun take on the classic “Nutcracker” — a colorful 50-minute version designed especially for kids — is in its fourth year.

When: Dec. 1-23
Where: Southside Theater, Building D, Fort Mason, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.
Contact: (415) 345-7575, www.mfdpsf.org

S.F. Ballet

The company that launched the national “Nutcracker” craze in 1944 produces a lavish, world-class production that dazzles year in and out.

When: Dec. 7-28
Where: War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., S.F.
Contact: (415) 865-2000, www.sfballet.org

The Velveteen Rabbit

ODC/Dance presents its popular dance adaptation of the classic children’s book, using members of the company and ODC/Dance students. A milk-and-cookies party, which requires a separate ticket, follows the Nov. 25 show.

When: Nov. 23-Dec. 9
Where: Lam Research Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F.
Contact: (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org, www.odcdance.org

Peninsula Youth Ballet

Ayako Takahashi directs the troupe in its 18th annual “Nutcracker,” with professional guest artists. Separate tickets may be purchased for a post-performance tea party.

When: 2 p.m. Nov. 24-25, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 2 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: Bayside Performing Arts Center, 2025 Kehoe Ave., San Mateo
Contact: (650) 286-0241, www.pyb.org

Ballet America

Terrin Kelly and Alec Lytton are the professional guest artists in this full-length “Nutcracker” produced by the Redwood City troupe.

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City
Contact: (650) 369-7770, www.balletamerica.org

Western Ballet Company

Led by artistic director Alexi Zubiría, the troupe presents its 36th annual holiday rendition of the “Nutcracker.”

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9
Where: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
Contact: (650) 903-6000, www.mvcpa.com

Dance-Along Nutcracker

The San Francisco Lesbian-Gay Freedom Band invites children and adults to twirl along to Tchaikovsky; this year’s show has a “Hollywood Holiday” theme. Saturday night’s performance for adults only includes a gala cocktail dance party. Tutus encouraged.

When: 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 1 p.m. Dec. 9
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F.
Contact: (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org

Marin Ballet

The troupe’s 50th anniversary season features the “Nutcracker” choreographed by Julia Adam, with more than 200 dancers ages 8-18 and guest artists Travis Bradley and Robert Dekkers.

When: 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 9
Where: Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
Contact: (415) 499-6800, www.marinballet.org

The Hard Nut

Mark Morris Dance Group returns to the East Bay for its popular 1950s-style “Nutcracker” alternative with Tchaikovsky’s original score.

When: Dec. 14-23
Where: Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Dana Street, Berkeley
Contact: (510) 642-9988, www.calperformances.org

Smuin Ballet

Smuin’s pop-friendly “The Christmas Ballet” includes new choreography by Amy Siewert, Jane Rehm and Darren Anderson.

When: Dec. 14-23
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., S.F.
Contact: (415) 912-1899, www.smuinballet.org

A Winter Fairy Tale

Bayer Ballet Academy’s holiday program, inspired by Russian New Year’s Eve, has magical fairyland creatures and animated toys with music by Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov.

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16
Where: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
Contact: (650) 903-6000, www.bayerballetacademy.com

Peninsula Ballet Theatre

In good hands with artistic director Bruce Steivel, the troupe presents the “Nutcracker,” now in its 42nd year.

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 15, 2 p.m. Dec. 16 and Dec. 23, 4 p.m. Dec. 22
Where: Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City
Contact: (650) 342-3262, www.peninsulaballet.org

S.F. Youth Ballet

A key training ground for local dancers, the youth company performs a full-length “Nutcracker” for the 12th year.

When: 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15-16
Where: Mercy High School Theatre, 3250 19th Ave., S.F.
Contact: (415) 731-2237, www.sanfranciscoyouthballet.org

Jewish Nutcracker

World Dance Fusion presents director Katy Alaniz Rous’ new interpretation of the classic piece; it tells the story of Hanukkah and includes dance forms choreographed to diverse musical themes of the traditional “Nutcracker” second act.

When: Dec. 19-23
Where: ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., S.F.
Contact: www.jewishnutcracker.com

Oakland Ballet Company

The troupe presents artistic director Graham Lustig’s popular interpretation of the “Nutcracker,” with live music courtesy of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, conducted by Michael Morgan.

When: 2 p.m. Dec. 22-23, 11 a.m. Dec. 24
Where: Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland
Contact: www.oaklandballet.org

Moscow Ballet

Vaganova Academy-trained dancers have performed “The Great Russian Nutcracker” in North America for 20 years. This year’s principals — Olga Kifyak, Ion Kuroshu and Karyna Shatkovskaya — have won awards at major international dance competitions.

When: 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23
Where: Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa
Contact: (707) 546-3600, www.nutcracker.com