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❄️ Close your eyes. Think of winter.

Preparing for winter: work begins for Charlotte Ballet’s “Nutcracker”
A ballet dancer on stage with a snowy background.
Dancer Anna Owen performs as the Snow Queen in the Charlotte Ballet’s 2023 performance of “Nutcracker.” | Photo by Taylor Jones
It may be June (and feeling like 100 degrees) but we’re dreaming of sugar plums. Charlotte Ballet is spending summer preparing costumes and props for its annual return of “Nutcracker.”

Despite the long-standing show not opening until December, Kerri Martinsen is already busy getting costumes “show-ready.”

“We have a show book, where we have a page for every costume that goes on stage,” said Martinsen, the costume shop manager for Charlotte Ballet. “Sometimes we get to a point where we need to replace the bodice. To get the same fabric, our designer will go through the book, find the fabric, and purchase the same thing.”

“Nutcracker” costumes were made in 2016. From the cavalier to the soldiers and candy canes, each costume is worn more than 25 times in a span of three weeks. Editor’s note: That’s more wearings than most people’s favorite item of clothing.

Two teal vests, side by side, on a workshop desk.

The vests worn by the cavalier in “Nutcracker” are available in two sizes, a short and tall. The color variations are due to when the original fabric was available and purchased to create the pieces.

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Photo by CLTtoday

Sometimes the costumes don’t match the sketch and original design due to fabric availability and/or changes in technology. “A good example of that is the Spanish Hot Chocolate,” said Martinsen. “It was a process between the designer and the choreographer to redesign what went on stage.” Pro tip: In ballet, the choreography takes priority so costumes must be redesigned to fit the performers’ mobility.

Each dancer’s outfit in the shop has two iterations, a short and tall, with dancers sharing the outfits on any given day. “That’s where we see the biggest difference in dance is in height,” said Martinsen. “So I try to make two sets, if at all possible, for shared roles.”

With the exception of the Spanish dress — there’s just one. “It’s like the sisterhood of the traveling dress,” Martinsen laughed.

A person's hands sewing a clasp on a vest with stacks of fabric in the background.

During the three-week run of “Nutcracker,” repairs are done on costumes due to wear-and-tear.

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Photo by CLTtoday

Spot repairs are necessary during the show. “At the theater, we have a wardrobe supervisor and house dressers to help with changes and notice if anything is broken,” said Martinsen. Think: NASCAR pit crew but for the Charlotte Ballet.
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Asked

How long has the Charlotte Ballet performed “Nutcracker?”
A. 30+ years
B. 25 years
C. 15 years
D. 20 years
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Events
Wednesday, June 26
  • Zenergy Yoga with Chanel | Wednesday, June 26 | 12:15-1:15 p.m. | You Vs Yourself, 1701 N. Graham St., Charlotte | $10 | Challenge your mind and body through a vinyasa yoga class for all levels.
  • Get Lit | Wednesday, June 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Great Wagon Road Distilling Company, 610 Anderson St., Charlotte | $55 | Enjoy a speakasy vibe + cocktails while creating your own candle.
  • Kannapolis Cannon Ballers vs. Columbia Fireflies | Wednesday, June 26 | 7 p.m. | Atrium Health Ballpark, 1 Cannon Baller Way, Kannapolis | $19+ | Watch the Cannon Ballers face off on home plate against Columbia.
Thursday, June 27
  • Volunthursday - Garden Maintenance | Thursday, June 27 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | 240 Wellingford St., Charlotte | Free | Volunteer with Storm Water Services to keep Charlotte’s environment clean.
  • Emerging Leaders Luncheon | Thursday, June 27 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Union County Chamber, 903 Skyway Dr., Monroe | $20 | Enjoy lunch + conversation with future decision-makers in Union County.
  • Maroon 5 Live In Concert | Thursday, June 27 | 8 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., Charlotte | $39.50-$159.50 | You’ll wish for “One More Night” when Maroon 5 performs in the Queen City.
Friday, June 28
  • Charlotte Squawks 19 | Friday, June 28 | 8 p.m. | Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $24.50 | Laugh over current events and frustrations during this Broadway-like comedy show.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Biz
  • The Charlotte Knights have new ownership. The team announced the sale to Diamond Baseball Holdings. DBH will also take ownership of Truist Field and the Paper Mill Pub. As part of the deal, the team will not be leaving the Queen City. (WCNC)
Real Estate
  • Office leasing is improving around Uptown. Real estate company JLL’s executive managing director says tenants are extending lease terms and expanding rather than downsizing. Office vacancies in the Charlotte metro currently stand at 21%. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Outdoors
  • There are new reflective markers along the Catawba River to aid in water rescues. The goal is to have all signage up along the Catawba River by Thursday, July 4. The new signs are funded through a $50,000 grant from Duke Energy. (WSOC)
Announced
  • Post Malone will perform in Charlotte this fall. The Grammy-winning artist will perform songs from his debut country album “F-1 Trillion.” Presales for the Monday, Oct. 7 concert at PNC Music Pavilion start today at 10 a.m.
Closing
  • Dandelion Market is closing its doors. The last day of operations for the Uptown dining spot will be Sunday, July 21. The restaurant and bar has been serving the Queen City for 15 years. The team will be focusing on a food truck concept to service the new Tyber Creek Pub location on Mint Street.
Open
  • Foxcroft Wine Co. is opening today at 16915 Birkdale Commons Pkwy., Ste. A, Huntersville. The Birkdale Village location will be open seven days a week, offer a full lunch menu, and have to-go wine glasses.
Ranked
  • Bird Pizza ranked as one of the best pizza places in the US. The Optimist Park shop originally served pizza from a takeout window before expanding to provide indoor seating. (The New York Times)
Plan Ahead
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control is hosting its annual Prep Your Pet event this Saturday, June 29. ACC will provide free vaccinations and microchipping ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. The event will be at 8315 Byrum Dr. from 8 to 10:45 a.m.
Edu
  • Duke University ranked No. 26 on the US News and World Report’s list of Best Global Universities. The rankings were based on academic research, reputation, campus culture, and other key metrics.
Charlottean
  • Gabbi Cunningham has her eyes set on the US Track & Field Olympics team. The Mallard Creek grad will be competing in the Olympic Trials on Friday. Cunningham ran in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. (WCNC)
Sports
  • Who could make the Hornets roster in a worst-case scenario? Prepare for the NBA Draft for the Charlotte Hornets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Finance
    • This card is a cash rewards dream, ft. unlimited cash rewards on purchases, a $200 bonus after spending $500, and a long intro APR on purchases + balance transfers. Reward seekers, say it with us: Cha-ching.*
     
    Try This

    🪩 Get your dancing shoes

    Celebrate culture during Viva la Música CLT!'s free concert
    Eight people performing on stage and smiling.
    Sol Fusion will be performing during Viva La Música CLT! at the Visualite Theatre. | Photo via Sol Fusion
    Prepare to sing and dance to la música. Tosco Music Parties is hosting its free season finale of Viva la Musica CLT! on Thursday, June 27.

    The family-friendly live music series will feature performances from Sol Fusion Band and NC Brazilian Arts Project, a nonprofit showcasing African-Brazilian culture and dance.

    “We’re building community through music across generations and genres,” said John Tosco, founder of Tosco Music Parties.

    What sets this concert apart? Attendees can expect dance lessons before the performances + a food truck.

    “There’s so much that divides us and music is what brings us together. We want to bring the Hispanic community together with our audience,” said Tosco. “There’s so much joy people get while listening to music — it connects us.”

    The free concert will be at the Visulite Theatre (1615 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte) starting at 7 p.m. Pro tip: Registration is required. Parties tend to bring a packed house.
      The Buy

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      A margarita pool float (yes, that’s a thing — complete with a giant lime).
      Answered

      We asked yesterday, “when did Charlotte have its hottest day?”
      It seems today may be the hottest day of the week with the high reaching 99°. We hope you’re staying safe in the heat.

      As for you history aficionados, the hottest day on record in Charlotte was reached in 2012 at 104°. About 53% of respondents were correct.
      6AM City In-house
       
      The Wrap
       
      Headshot of CLTtoday author Maria Delgado

      Today’s edition by:
      Maria
      From the editor
      While I never did ballet, I did theater in high school and it was such a wonderful experience. To go behind the scenes at the Charlotte Ballet and see the hundreds of costumes used by the dancers... WOW. My mind was blown.
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