Photos by Tony J Photography
What started out on just two frosty mornings every December for lovers of tea and ballet throughout our region has become one of What’s Up? Media’s most high-profile and well-attended annual events. More than five years ago this special gathering was created as a way to ing the community’s children and their parents together for a lovely late morning Nutcracker performance and a tasty tea that would help perpetuate holiday spirit and delight attendees of all ages.
Fast forward a few years, and we would have to think that the mission was accomplished. In fact, in 2013, two “tea times” were added to the event that takes place at the Loews Annapolis Hotel and offers four separate performances over two consecutive weekends. To say these events, which include appearances by Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, a 25-minute performance sample of The Nutcracker, a yummy buffet lunch including dessert, are popular, would be an understatement.
Referring to the occurrence as a tradition may also be an understatement, as this year it only took four days for the event to totally sell-out. So what makes this the must- have ticket of the holiday season? There is probably no better person to answer that question than What's Up? Media's Special Events Director, Melanie Quinn.
“If you’ve ever been to it [the Nutcracker Tea], you’ll want to continually go. It’s just a very special event. Everyone is happy!”
A special portion of The Nutcracker is performed by Maryland Performing Arts Center dancers. Quinn described that while grandmothers, grandfathers, and even young men also come to enjoy the Nutcracker Tea, “the majority [of the audience] is moms and their little girls,” typically aged from around three to seven or eight. Quinn states that she believes it’s so popular because “it’s a great holiday and community event and it just feels so magical!”
We hope you’ll enjoy owsing our photos of What's Up? Media's Nutcracker Tea taken over the years. Check back to see photos from this year’s upcoming Nutcracker Tea.
