Dating My Baby Daddy: An Evening with the Ballet

One of the things I love about Holidays, is the increase in community events to attend.  I have often laughed but also dreamed of living in a town like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls where the community looks for reasons to have an over-the-top event and everyone attends.  Sadly, I live in small town Idaho where besides outdoor sports or hobbies, there is not much to do.  Except during Christmas.  Suddenly there are so many events that you have to choose which to attend and which to leave for another time.

One of my favorite Holiday traditions is to attend Idaho Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker that my daughter dances in.  For such a small town, we have incredible ballerinas who work hard year round to make beauty look effortless.  IBT also brings in a male professional for our ballerinas to partner with and they are incredible to watch!  Every year I attend, I am astounded by how beautiful the production is.

If you have never seen The Nutcracker, you simply must this season.  I dare you not to fall in love with it.  The costumes, the music, the gracefulness of the ballerinas.  It’s all so simply magical.  Over the years, my favorite dance has become the Grand Pas de Deux with Cavalier and the Sugar Plum Fairy.  The music changes dramatically from the previous dances and is the embodiment of romantic.

One of the perks of having a ballerina in the family is getting to help backstage during the productions.  You know what that means?  I get to meet the male professionals who come to partner with our company dancers.  For the last few years, we have been privileged to have the very handsome and talented James Brougham from Sacramento Ballet play the part of Cavalier.  Seriously, does this guy not look like a Disney Prince?  And then he has to go and be nice to boot.  What can I say?  I’m smitten.

The Nutcracker had all the components of best date night ever.  Babysitter – check.  Lacey dress and high heels – check.  Handsome husband to accompany me – check.  Dimmed lights in rustic theatre – check.  Romantic dancing – check.  Develop crush on swoon worthy male lead – check.  How does it get any better?  And fellas, even if an evening with the ballet is not your idea of a fun date night, don’t grumble about it.  Just go.  And your wife will thank you later.  Win win situation if you ask me.

Entertainment Level: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Planning Required: Maximum.  Most likely the opportunity to attend a ballet will only come up during certain times of the year and will require pre-purchasing tickets. 

Cost Associated: $ for this production but variable

$ | $5+/person
$$ | $20+/person
$$$ | $50+/person
$$$$ | $75+/person