The day after Thanksgiving, you can stand in the “I’m totally crazy, full, and sleepy” line at Best Buy at 4AM or hot-foot it to the 9AM cardio kickmyass class. Neither, though, may be as enjoyable as taking in ODC/Dance‘s 23rd season of “The Velveteen Rabbit,” with its plush animal costumes and contemporary dance. If you’re still feeling the after-effects of rum punch and soy nog, don’t worry. “The Velveteen Rabbit” is narrated.

The show runs through Dec. 13th, and many of the performances have a special zing to them. On Dec. 5th, adults and kids are encouraged to dress up in pajamas, costumes (tasteful ones, please!), hat and cape, etc. And it’s also Bike to the Bunny Day; the SF Bike Coalition will be offering free bike valet for ticketholders to the 1PM show. Dec. 5, 6, and 12 are also Real Rabbit days, where SaveABunny will be on hand to educate you and your loved ones, fuzzy wuzzy wabbit style.

So if you want to get out and see something without a Nutcracker, or you just need some bunny to love, this is the event for you.

What: ODC/Dance’s “The Velveteen Rabbit”
When: Nov. 27-Dec. 13, 2009
Where: Novellus Theater at YBCA, 700 Howard Street at Third, San Francisco
Tickets: $15-$45, available here or by calling 415.978.2787

If you’re nuts about Nutcrackers, here’s a new one: The Mark Foehringer Dance Project brings a new rendition of the Nutcracker story to the stage with the first annual “Nutcracker at the Zeum,” described as zany, fun, and family friendly. Maxing out at a compact 50 minutes, this performance will feature former ODC/Dance member Brian Fisher as Drosselmeyer and live on-stage musical accompaniment by the Magik*Magik Orchestra, which is comprised of uber talented senior-level students from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

What: Mark Foehringer Dance Project’s Nutracker at the Zeum
When: December 4-20, 2009
December 4, 2009 at 7:30 PM
December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 11 AM and 2 PM
Where: Zeum Theater, 221 Fourth Street, San Francisco
Tickets: $25, available here or by calling 415.433.1235

Also, if you’re feeling wildly creative, why not enter San Francisco Ballet’s Magical Memories Nutcracker Video Contest? Main requirements are that videos:

  • Reenact or re-imagine a magical scene from “Nutcracker” OR create a video depicting your favorite magical “Nutcracker” memory.
  • Contain at least one “Nutcracker” character.
  • Are 65 seconds long (reason: that’s one second for every year “Nutcracker” has been a holiday tradition in America, since SF Ballet first staged it on Christmas eve 1944).
  • Mention or display “San Francisco Ballet” visually in the video.
  • Are creative and/or funny–“innovative characters, dancing, scenery, costumes, and props will be judged favorably.” “featuring San Francisco settings or a San Francisco landmark in your video in some way will be judged favorably.”
  • Are tasteful and family friendly.

Prizes include a trip to Aspen, a stay at the Fairmont atop Nob Hill, backstage tours, and ballet tickets.

Last weekend, I created my entry, an ode to San Francisco’s sweets (well, a 65-second ode, which is really more like a mini-ode. Or a limerick without the lime or a guy named Rick).

Hurry! You have until November 29th to submit your entry!

the author

Becca Klarin writes about dance. Her first stage role was at the age of four, where she dressed in a brightly colored bumble bee tutu and black patent leather taps shoes. She remembers bright lights and spinning in circles with her eleven other bees, but nothing more. Becca also has an affinity for things beginning with the letter "P", including Pizzetta 211, Fort Point, pilates, parsvakonasana, and plies.

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