Local nonprofit ballet company holds 'Nutcracker' gala benefit

The City Ballet of Cleveland (formerly the Cleveland City Dance Company), directed by Courtney Laves-Mearini and operating from a base at Shaker Square, will host a benefit on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Cleveland Skating Club in support of its upcoming “Nutcracker and Winter Wonderland” performances.

The evening will include fine food and spirits, interspersed with ballet as members of the company perform divertissements from "The Nutcracker Suite," Act II. There will also be a silent auction featuring many of Cleveland’s finest shops and restaurants.

The City Ballet of Cleveland is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Its mission is to establish a ballet company of the highest artistic caliber that serves its communities through performance and artistic education.

Tickets are available at Cleveland City Dance, located at 13108 Shaker Square, Cleveland, or by calling 216-295-2222. Cost is $80 for an individual, $125 for a patron—which includes a ticket to the December performance—and $800 for a corporate table for eight. Portions of each ticket are tax-deductible. The Cleveland Skating Club is located at 2500 Kemper Road, Shaker Heights. Patrons are asked to RSVP by Oct. 31.