Dancers

"The Nutcracker" has become a treasured entertainment tradition of the Christmas season, and again this year a most enchanting version can be found in Annapolis at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. At the Ballet Theatre of Maryland's opening performance, artistic director Dianna Cuatto briefly traced the history of this holiday favorite. Composed by Peter Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Marius Petipa, "The Nutcracker" originally received a cool reception at its Russian premiere in December 1892.

For Kathryn Carlson, the holidays are not just about family, food and gifts — they're also about dance. The 30-year-old native of Somers Point, N.J., joined the Ballet Theatre of Maryland in 2003 as an apprentice dancer after graduating from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Just one year later, Carlson was promoted to company member. Since then, she has performed roles such as Katrina in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Guinevere in "Excalibur" and the title role in "Cinderella.

For Kathryn Carlson, the holidays are not just about family, food and gifts - they're also about dance. The 30-year-old native of Somers Point, N.J., joined the Ballet Theatre of Maryland in 2003 as an apprentice dancer after graduating from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Just one year later, Carlson was promoted to company member. Since then, she has performed roles such as Katrina in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Guinevere in “Excalibur” and the title role in “Cinderella.” As Carlson begins her ninth season with BTM, you can see her dancing multiple parts including Clara, Snow Queen and Arabian in their annual performance of “The Nutcracker” this weekend.

On the second floor of the Sudbrook Arts Centre in Pikesville, Tim Fox snapped his fingers to live piano music as he watched his three teenage ballet students move elegantly through their growing repertoire of ballet positions. "This is not brain surgery and nobody dies if you screw up a step," the instructor said gently, detecting a slight hesitation at the double and triple combinations he was calling out as the trio warmed up at the barre to Richard Strauss' "Russian Folk Dance.

The Sugarplum Fairy remains the most challenging role in "The Nutcracker" ballet. A ballerina must be secure in her classical technique and mature in her dramatic skills to excel in this role. She also must be a smart leader on stage as she endeavors to keep all those tiny sugar plum darlings from tripping over one another in the Land of the Sweets. For dancers, being chosen for Clara also elicits "oohs" and "ahs" of envy, for it is she who gets the spotlight as she wins the heart of her Nutcracker Prince.

Some women who want rounder, fuller buttocks are turning to a dangerous cosmetic procedure: illegal injections of silicone offered by people who lack medical training and may buy their supplies in home improvement stores. The trend — which has already sent one exotic dancer from Baltimore's Block to the hospital with silicone in her lungs — has alarmed public health officials and plastic surgeons, who say the injections can maim or kill recipients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other agencies have been investigating the incident in Baltimore and others across the country.

In her 30 years with The Dance Dimension , feisty dance director Marilyn Byers has rarely missed an opportunity to welcome back her star dancers at Thanksgiving time. One of those rare missed opportunities came last year, when the two-time cancer survivor turned over the responsibility for putting on the show to two of her proteges. This year, Byers is back and more energetic than ever, as stars of past and present Dance Dimension rosters will be joined by a few "pick up" dancers for a very special one-night-only show this Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Slayton House Theatre.

Director Donna L. Jacobs has once again put her dancers in the "hot seat. " For this weekend's concerts at the Baltimore Museum of Art, her Full Circle Dance Company is tackling the loaded topic of body image with the company's premiere of "B.A.R.E.," an abbreviation for "Bodies, Attitudes, Reflections, Exposed. " As with its past themed projects touching on faith, motherhood, race, and even the fear of the unknown, this Baltimore-based company has invited the community to take part in its artistic exploration.

In its presentation of "Aladdin," Ballet Theatre of Maryland has again shown that stories gain enchantment when told through dance. Artistic director Dianna Cuatto and her dancers found large, enthusiastic audiences in three inspired performances last weekend. The "Aladdin" story drew excitement and exoticism from the dancers in costumes designed by Alyssa Johnson performing against sets designed by Cuatto and built by Brian Walker, Calder Taylor, Meagan Helman and other dancers.

When Nawal Qalbi enrolled in a belly dancing class at the Carroll County YMCA five years ago, she never dreamed she would find her calling. Qalbi discovered the ancient dance form offered not just exercise, but camaraderie. "I was curious, really," said Qalbi said about signing up for that first class. "I thought I would be going in and be one of the oldest. There were so many women of different shapes, sizes and age groups. "It was very refreshing to see such a mixture of women in this classroom, and everybody enjoying each other's company.