Liliana Lorenz of Ballet Americana appears as Clara with Anthony Spaulding of the San Francisco Ballet in a previous performance of “The Nutcracker.”
Three guest performers will be in the spotlight Dec. 1 and 2 when Ballet Americana and Taylor Dance present “The Nutcracker” at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.
The dancers are Dayesi Torriente, who will portray the Sugar Plum Fairy; Sterling Baca, the Prince; and Lucas Segovia, the Snow King.
Torriente and Baca, are former members of the American Ballet Theatre and now perform with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Segovia is a member of the Joffrey Ballet.
Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 1, and 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Ford Center, 15801 Michigan Ave.
Other cast members include Christina Cole, who will appear as the Snow Queen; Liliana Lorenz, as Clara; Robyn Welsh, the Mother; Brent Petrick, the Father; and Matthew Niemiec, Herr Drosselmeyer.
Additional cast members are Larry and Sarah Wright, as the Burgomeister and his Wife; MacKenzie Phillips, as Mother Ginger; and Luke Markley, as Fritz.
The Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra, conducted by Kenneth Thompson, will accompany the dancers.
Patricia and Leif Lorenz are the artistic directors of Ballet Americana, and Joy Squire is founder and director of the group, as well as Taylor Dance.
Tickets for the ballet are available by calling 313-743-2554.
Arts, crafts sale slated
The Downriver Arts & Crafts Holiday Sale on Dec. 2 will offer for the fifth consecutive year scores of gift ideas for Christmas shoppers at the Downriver Campus of Wayne County Community College District, 21000 Northline in Taylor.
There is no charge for admission to the sale, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the concourse area of the Heinz C. Prechter Community Arts and Learning Center at the college.
More than 50 artisans will display items including jewelry, handbags, paintings, pottery, ornaments, fused glass, painted tiles and much more. Many of the articles will be awarded as door prizes throughout the day.
Artists will be on hand to demonstrate wood burning, ink stippling, sculpture, ceramics, painting and other skills. In addition, a children’s make-and-take workshop is planned.
Former KGB spy will give talk
A talk by a former KGB spy will be the highlight of the 30th annual Downriver Community Prayer Breakfast, to be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center, 16703 Fort St. in Southgate.
The speaker’s fascinating life story was told on CBS’ “60 Minutes” and is the subject of his book “Deep Undercover: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America,” which was published earlier this year.
Tickets, $20, are available at Crystal Gardens or by sending a check for that amount payable to the Downriver Prayer Breakfast, C/O Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort St., Southgate, MI 48195. For more information, call 734-284-7307.
Donations are sought
The Information Center, based in Taylor, is seeking donors for its annual Hope for the Holidays/Adopt a Family program to provide holiday gifts and assistance for low-income families.
The program has been supported by private donations, churches and local businesses for over 30 years. In 2016, more than 1,300 people were assisted with food, gift cards and miscellaneous items through the program, a center spokeswoman said.
Lori Stevenson is accepting calls from those who wish to adopt a family or make a cash donation at 734-282-7171.