Modern Jazz, Ancient Christmas Demons: This Weekend In CT

CONNECTICUT — Just about a half-month out from Christmas and no looking back, Connecticut has entered full-on ugly sweater gingerbread mode, and Patch wouldn't have it any other way.

"The Nutcracker" was the last of Tchaikovsky's three ballets, but it is the first ballet, ever, experienced by most American children. With the battle between the evil mouse king and nutcracker soldier playing out on Christmas Eve, the retelling of the story has become as much a yuletide tradition as Yukon Cornelius' throw-down with the Abominable Snowmonster of the North.

But traditions are made to be shattered, and CONNectic Dance, a contemporary ballet company in Hartford, is enjoying great success with its modern spin on the holiday classic. Their production, "The Nutcracker Suite & Spicy" is choreographed and directed by Carolyn Paine, and puts a "rousing, toe-tapping, high-kicking spin" on the classical ballet, injecting hip-hop, break dancing, jazz, tap, ballroom, and acrobatics into the toy soldier's battlefield maneuvers. It's been playing The Aetna Theatre at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford these last few holiday seasons, and returns this weekend, Dec. 15, 16 and 17. Tickets are available online here.

…and that's not everyone's cup of eggnog, to be sure. So for those of you who prefer your Sugar Plum Fairies less voguish, The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory is taking the Old School approach at The Warner Theatre in Torrington through the weekend. The final performances are Saturday, Dec. 16 at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 12:30 pm. Victoria Mazzarelli directs. Tickets are available online here.

There's no nutcracker soldier coming to life to save you from Krampus, who will be available for photos with you and other humbugs in your family in Mystic Friday night, Dec. 15.

The horned Christmas demon, a product of Austro-Bavarian folklore who shot to stardom in certain oddball circles following the release of the eponymous 2015 film, will be holding court at The Cloak and Wand shop from 5-9 p.m. The price for admission is the purchase of a drink at the shop's Potion Bar. Choose from themed soda and hot coffee variants such as Wizard Beer, Dragon Turtle Tears, Peaches & Scream, and Fellowship of the Brew, among many (many, many) others. Then line up for "Photos with Krampus," first come, first served. Avoid being eaten, it'll put a real damper on the rest of the family's holiday season…

Less pagan and more pastoral is the 6th Annual Winter Solstice Luminary Walk this Saturday, Dec. 16, in New Haven. The paths of Edgerton Park will be illuminated by both luminaria and light sculptures. Handmade lanterns, designed by ACES Educational Center for the Arts students, will be for sale, and there's music performances throughout the evening. The stroll runs from 5-9 p.m., but don't miss the lantern parade which steps off at 7 p.m. Celebrate nature, reflect on the season, bask in the warmth of community — and don't spend a dime. The Winter Solstice Luminary Walk is free.

With its cast of unseasoned voice actors, low-budget animation, religious underpinnings and simple jazz score, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" remains among the most unlikely of hit TV specials. But monster hit it was, and 58 years later continues to entertain a new generation, albeit only on Apple TV+.

That simple jazz score by pianist Vince Guaraldi went on to sell 5 million copies, and continues to be a favorite among jazz performers today. The Eric Mintel Quartet will bring new life to the classic recording at Cheney Hall in Manchester on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. Performances of "Christmas Time Is Here," "Linus and Lucy" and "Skating" will be joined by traditional holiday songs. Tickets are available online here.