Princesses out in full force for ‘nutcracker’

Dancing snowflakes, a handsome prince and the Sugarplum Fairy may have been the stars on the stage, but before the curtain went up on last Sunday’s matinee performance of The Nutcracker at the INB Performing Arts Center, little girls in velvet and satin stole the show.

The ballet, featuring dancers from the Alberta Ballet and the musicians of the Spokane Symphony, drew a near sold-out crowd. Some were more elaborately costumed than the performers.

The annual event, which is a traditional outing for families in the region and an opportunity for local dancers to perform, is a good excuse to put on the holiday finery. It’s a chance to see and be seen.

Fur trim, black patent Mary Janes and white tights were the uniform of the day.

Young women from area schools, candidates for the Miss Spokane crown, handed out programs as the crowd streamed into the hall, and after the performance some of the young dancers traded tutus for their Sunday best and offered candy canes as the crowd walked out into the fresh snow.

Come Monday it was back to jeans, boots and backpacks. But for one December afternoon, to the accompaniment of Tchaikovsky’s classic, every little girl was a princess.