Camel-Lot at Aldersgate UM Church

 The Children's Christmas Pageant at Aldergate United Methodist Church in York Township took a fun turn from the typical seasonal presentation, called "Camel-Lot". Throughout the play, children bought and sold camels at the sale site, all the time with the underlying Christmas message.

All the lines weren't spoken perfectly, some were missed entirely. It's a good bet that Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa didn't care much. These are the faces of pure cuteness.

The Nutcracker at the Strand

Nutcracker nuances: See the classic ballet in a new way

By MICHELLE DENISE NORTON / For The York Dispatch
854-1575, x458 / @yorkweekend

This weekend, Greater York Dance will present its 14th annual “Nutcracker.” And this year, artistic director Lori Pergament has changed and updated every scene, with new choreography in nearly every dance.

“I like to keep the performance fresh, not static,” Pergament says. “This is a big year of change.”

Even after so many years staging the ubiquitous Christmas ballet, Pergament has no trouble finding inspiration. She starts with watching each rehearsal and performance closely.

 The performances are at the Strand Theater in York December 8 at 7 p.m.  and Sunday, December 9 at 2 p.m.

“This year and every year, I sit in the back of the theater with the sound people, taking notes on what could be changed, what could be different, what I want to improve,” she says.

Pergament has the freedom to change the choreography because although the studio uses Tchaikovsky's traditional “Nutcracker,” they don't use the commonplace George Balanchine choreography. They use Pergament's, which evolves as she's inspired each year.

“I try to get to see other ‘Nutcrackers.'” She laughs. “And I try to ignore it completely for a few months so when we pull it out, it's fresh.”