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Join the ������Ƶapp Department of Dance and the D’Angelo Department of Music for “‘Tis the Season,” a festive celebration to mark the start of the holidays. Performances are slated for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9, at 7 p.m. A special matinee, ideal for young children, is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday. All performances take place in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.

The ������Ƶapp Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Scott Meier, opens the holiday extravaganza with a potpourri of Christmas favorites, some traditional and some with unexpected twists, including a Zydeco version of “Joy to the World,” and “Santa Baby” featuring a piccolo and ukulele duet.

������Ƶapp alumnus Dillon Shidemantle ’15, formerly of The Monks Brew who has been performing professionally since leaving ������Ƶapp, acts as master of ceremonies and guest artist at all three performances. His unique vocal stylings promise to delight the audiences of all ages.

After intermission, the ������Ƶapp Department of Dance presents “The Nutcracker Suite,” once again promising an innovative interpretation as Clara visits the “Land of the Sweets,” set in the Roaring Twenties.  

This performance provides a sneak peek into the department’s collaboration with alumnus Justin Michael Hogan ’09, recently retired from the Louisville Ballet, that ultimately will result in a full-length production of “The Nutcracker.”  Although still in the planning, the production is expected to be both Erie- and ������Ƶapp-centric.

While in Erie to work with the ������Ƶapp dancers last fall, Hogan also met with History Professor Dr. Chris Magoc to gather historic accounts of prominent Erie families and their lifestyles at the time of ������Ƶapp’s founding in 1926. The goal: to make the full-length production as historically authentic as possible. 

Tickets can be purchased online via the