Transylvania’s Mitchell Fine Arts Center celebrates season with festive lineup

Transylvania University's Mitchell Fine Arts Center is ringing in the holidays as part of its inaugural professional performance season.

Reserve tickets for a variety of festive shows spotlighting community partners that run tomorrow through Dec. 15.

The Central Kentucky Dance Theatre kicks things off with Saturday's performance of "The Nutcracker" ballet at 2 p.m. in Carrick Theater. The show promises a "magical adventure that will warm your heart and fill your holiday season with joy."

Then on Saturday, Nov. 30, the African American Ballet Troupe from Lexington presents the "Ebony Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium. The production follows the narrative of the traditional ballet as it takes the audience on a "cultural dance voyage" with an "exciting array of vibrant dances and musical styles found among the people of the African diaspora."

Also in MFA, Transylvania's chamber orchestra, concert band and combined choirs will celebrate the season with "A Gift of Holiday Music" on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium.

Gotta Dance Studios continues the holiday theme with its Winter Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium. Get more details on this event featuring a lineup of talented young performers.

Rounding out the MFA holiday shows, the Uniting Voices Lexington acclaimed youth choir performs its "Winter Festival of Song" on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m. In partnership with Transylvania, the event is billed as "an enchanting evening of joyful melodies and heartwarming harmonies" as the "talented choir brings festive classics and contemporary favorites to life."

The MFA professional performance season continues into the new year with the Grand Kyiv Ballet from Ukraine performing Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake," celebrated as a "timeless tale of tragic love and enchanted elegance." The show is Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m.

Then one of the nation's top touring illusionists appears onstage Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. "The Magic of Bill Blagg LIVE!" is a family friendly show that leaves "audiences in disbelief" as the magician "creates the impossible in a way only he can do." Tickets go on sale Thanksgiving Day.

In March, the American Spiritual Ensemble performs as part of Transylvania's Dorothy J. and Fred K. Smith Concert Series on the 21st at 7 p.m. and then a show titled "Broadway and All That Jazz" the next evening at 7. Audiences will enjoy selections of Broadway tunes highlighting the African American experience, as well as jazz music that was composed, arranged or written by African American artists.

Transylvania's 2024-25 performance season is presented in partnership with Fox 56.

"In our inaugural professional performance season, we're excited to showcase a mix of international artists and talented performers from right here in our area," said S. Rebecca Thomas, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university. "As Kentucky's oldest college - and as Lexington enters its 250th anniversary year - we want to feature exceptional members of our community, while also providing audiences with cultural performances from around the world."