BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

The Academy of Dance & Fine Arts kicked off the holiday season with its annual Nutcracker Tea on Sunday afternoon.

More than 400 people attended two teas that included a silent auction and Nutcracker Suite performance at Trump National Golf Club’s lakefront ballroom. The venue was festively decorated with different Nutcrackers and other holiday accents provided by volunteer dance moms.

Traci Baker, one of the moms, explained the importance of the event, which began in 2009 as a benefit for Preston Loyd, a 4-year-old who was badly injured as a result of a lawnmower accident.

Since then, the annual event has raised money for a variety of great causes, including Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids. Last year’s event raised $30,000.

The Academy of Dance & Fine Arts selected the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont as this year’s beneficiary.

“All proceeds from our tea and our Nutcracker Ballet & Benefit will go to the Club,” Baker said.

As an added bonus, some Boys & Girls Club members will also be performing a dance at the ballet.

“Our dancers have been going there to teach them a dance,” she said. “They get to see who they’re helping and have one on one with them.”

Baker’s daughter Grace played Clara in the performance.

“It’s my favorite event of the whole year,” Grace said.

Upcoming Performances

The full performance of “The Nutcracker Suite” will be December 13 at 6 p.m., December 14 at 1 p.m., and December 15 at 2 p.m. “The Nutcracker Suite and Benefit” will be Saturday, December 14, at 5 p.m.

All performances will be held at Mooresville High School’s Performing Arts Center.

LEARN MORE

For more information, visit adfastudio.com.

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