New Ballet Arizona ‘Nutcracker’ looking for a few good mice

VALLEY – Using the single largest gift it has ever received, Ballet Arizona is creating an entirely new production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” for the 2006‑07 holiday season. The $1.3 million grant from the Sybil B. Harrington Trust will enable Arizonans to experience the classic ballet with a heightened level of imagination and magic through new choreography by artistic director Ib Andersen and new contributions by set designer Carey Wong, costume designer Fabio Toblini, and lighting designer Michael Korsch.

Auditions for Ib Andersen’s “The Nutcracker” will be held August 27 at the Ballet Arizona Studios to cast ballet students of all levels, boys and girls ages 9‑16. Registration begins one hour prior to audition times and there is a $10 fee for all participants who are not currently students of The School of Ballet Arizona (SBAZ) or Arizona School for the Arts (ASA). For those children cast, rehearsals will be Saturdays, Sept. 9 through Dec. 2 at the Ballet Arizona Studios at 3645 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix. The ballet’s world premiere will be Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall in Phoenix. Call Ballet Arizona at (602) 381‑0184 for specific audition times for SBAZ and ASA students and  different age groups, or visit www.balletaz.org.

Bisbee hosts plein air event

BISBEE – Historic Bisbee will be the site of a plein air painting competition and garden tour the weekend of Sept. 8‑10. Paintings must be started and completed on Saturday, and will be available for public viewing at Sunday’s award ceremony.

Artists may register by mail before Sept.1, or at the Bisbee Visitor Center through Sept. 8 until 5 p.m. Entry fee is $20. Young artists ages 8‑18 may enter a separate competition at no charge. Prizes will be awarded in both categories.

For information and registration, call (866) 2BISBEE or visit www.discoverbisbee.com.

It’s time to audition for Christmas in Anthem

Auditions for AZDance Group’s 2006‑2007 Children’s Christmas Company, Junior/Trainee Company and additional Christmas‑concert performing members will be held Sat. Sept. 9 at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy in Anthem. Children’s registration begins at 11 a.m. Junior/Trainee Company (seasonal) and additional performing members registration begins at 1 p.m. AZDance Group’s Third Annual Christmas Dance Festival will be December 1‑2 (with a tentative showcase scheduled November 30) at Boulder Creek High School Performing Art Center in Anthem. For audition information and requirements, visit www.azdance.org or call (480) 215‑1916.