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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 10, 2015 | 36 Local ballerina to dance in National Ballet of Canada's The Nutcracker Gabriela Luna, 8, will play the role of the lamb in Toronto production by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" This is her first production with the National Ballet of Canada. Hopefully, there will be more to come. We are very proud. Gabriela Luna's mom Holly Reid Oakville dancer Gabriela Luna will be performing in the National Ballet of Canada's production of The Nutcracker when it opens Saturday (Dec. 12). The eight-year-old is in her second year with the Toronto-based National Ballet School (NBS) of Canada and will be performing the role of the lamb. Each year, more than 250 students from both NBS and Toronto-area high schools participate in the National Ballet of Canada's The Nutcracker, which this year plays at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto from Dec. 12-Jan. 3, 2016. "This is her first production with the National Ballet of Canada. Hopefully, there will be more to come," said Gabriela's mom Holly Reid. "We are very proud. Earlier this year we went to see the National Ballet's Alice in Wonderland, which really inspired Gaby. It's hard to believe that this time I'll be in the audience, and she'll be up there on the big stage, dancing with the pros. It's such an amazing opportunity for her." As for the Grade 3 École Forest Trail student, she says she is proud, happy and excited to be on the National Ballet stage and to meet the "big dancers." "I want to be a professional balle- Oakville dancer Gabriela Luna, 8, will be performing the role of the lamb in the National Ballet of Canada's production of The Nutcracker when it opens Saturday (Dec. 12). | submitted photo rina when I grow up," Gabriela told the Oakville Beaver. Reid originally signed up Gabriela for ballet in Oakville when she was three years old before the youngster moved on to NBS. "Coincidentally, her original teacher from Oakville is now one of her teachers at the NBS," said Reid. "The company often casts students from the NBS in their professional productions." Choreographed by NBS graduate James Kudelka, this version of The Nutcracker tells the story of Misha and Marie, a quarrelsome brother and sister, and their friend Peter, the stable boy. With Baba, their nurse, and Nikolai, their eccentric neighbour, the children travel from winter to spring and from childhood to adolescence, according to a media release from the National Ballet of Canada. Now in its 20th year, the holiday favourite features students from NBS's part-time Associates Program and Teacher Training Program, as well as full-time students from the Professional Ballet Program. Since 2006, NBS students have been joined by more than 60 students from Toronto's performing arts high schools in the "Battle Scene." Tickets for the upcoming production are available through the Four Seasons Centre's box office at 145 Queen St. W., in Toronto, by calling 416-345-9595 or online at national.ballet.ca. The Nuts and Crackers Suite A medley of improvised scenes based loosely on the holiday classic The Nutcracker, Oakville Improv's The Nuts and Crackers Suite stars Lea Wilkening, Natasha Bromfield, Sam Hancock, Brennan Moro, Kim Beaune, Jennifer Silvestro, Christine Pillman, Catherine Henry, Lynnae Dudley and Amy McKenzie. It is staged at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre's Black Box Theatre, 2302 Bridge Rd., tomorrow (Friday), Saturday (Dec. 12) and Monday (Dec. 14) at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets cost $10 online at www.oakvilleimprov. com or at the door, cash only. Mosaic Press launches poetry collection Oakville's Mosaic Press will help launch Mississauga artist Sachi Nag's second collection of poetry, Could You Please Please Stop Singing?, tomorrow (Friday) at the Art Gallery of Mississauga. Oakville's Josie Andrews will be among others performing. The event, which runs 6-8 p.m., is free and all proceeds from book sales and signing will go to Ernestine's Shelter and Interim Place to help displaced women. RSVP at ivy_reiss@hotmail.com. Artist Luigia Zilli at Indulge Local artist Luigia Zilli's works are on display as part of her Indulge show at Nino's Italian restaurant, 437 Kerr St., Friday, Dec. 11 from 6-10 p.m. Zilli plans to rotate her display every month with a different theme every time. To RSVP to the event, email info@bicycleart. ca. For more information, visit www.bicycleart.ca/ indulge.html. Lindi Ortega at OCPA The Dan Cooper Concert Series presents country singer Lindi Ortega at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 130 Navy St., tomorrow (Friday) at 8 p.m. The performance takes place at the Willson Auditorium. For tickets, visit OakvilleCentre.ca or call 905815-2021 or toll-free 1-888-489-7784. In the Arts... Happy Holidays from om Film.Ca! Star Wars: The Force Awakens Opens December 17th! Tickets available now Give the gift of movies for the holidays Film.ca Cinemas gift cards can be loaded with any amount you wish Cards can also be used to collect Loyalty Points for FREE movies & snacks Perfect for anyone on your list this season! 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville 905-338-6397 www.film.ca facebook.com/filmca @FilmCaCinemas Purchase in theatre or at film.ca