Nutcracker Market Expands for Second Annual Indoor Holiday Shopping Spectacular at the Kimmel Center

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pennsylvania Ballet's second-annual Nutcracker Market expands for 2014 with more vendors and three levels of spectacular indoor holiday shopping and entertainment at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The Market is free and open to the public Wednesday, December 10, through Sunday, December 14.

Shoppers will find exceptional wares for gifting from 70 retailers and artisans displayed in all three floors of the Kimmel Center, making the Nutcracker Market Center City's only indoor holiday market venue.

Located in the heart of Center City, Pennsylvania Ballet's Nutcracker Market benefits Pennsylvania Ballet and The School of the Pennsylvania Ballet and is produced in partnership with the Kimmel Center. Exhibitor merchandise will include unique and finely crafted toys, handcrafted jewelry, games, ornaments, photography, artisan-crafted clothing, functional art, calligraphy, ceramics, fine art, and ballet-inspired wares.

A sampling of vendors includes Gramercy Atelier, Manayunk Calligraphy, Stick-Lets, Wild Bull Designs, Woven Glass Studio, Jane Roth Jewelry, PucciManuli, Genevieve Geer, and many more, including ten artists from InLiquid, Philadelphia's hub for visual artists, http://inliquid.org.

In additional to truly exciting holiday shopping, The Nutcracker Market's World Stage will feature free live performances celebrating culture from near and far with a local Baptist choir, the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, tap dancers, Irish dancers, Indian dancers, a Cambodian dance troupe, Polish folk dance, and Argentine Tango. Schedule and times of World Stage will follow.

The Market will include free daily family-oriented activities and entertainment, including a "Behind the Scenes of the Nutcracker" display, Land of the Sweets candy shop, visits from, and photo ops with, the characters of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™, a Nutcracker-themed "selfie station," and a very active live entertainment schedule. Adults will enjoy specialty food, drinks and cocktails from Garces Group.

Themed nights include Neighbor's Night at the Market on Thursday, December 11, with the Nutcracker Market Show open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. followed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Music of the Stage and LGBT Night at the Market on Friday with a 6:15 pm performance from Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus.

"The Nutcracker Market is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines the joys of the Nutcracker season with the delights of holiday shopping and entertainment," said David Gray, Interim Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Ballet. "We invite the region to celebrate the holidays with us at the Nutcracker Market and create new memories with Pennsylvania Ballet."

The Nutcracker Market opens to the public along with a special ticketed preview party on Wednesday, December 10, and closes on Sunday, December 14. The market will be open as follows: Wednesday, Dec. 10, (6-8 pm); 
Thursday, Dec. 11 (11am-8pm), 
Friday, Dec. 12 (11am-8pm), 
Saturday, Dec. 13 (11am-8pm)
, Sunday, Dec. 14 (11am-5pm).

The ticketed Preview Party will give shoppers the chance to skip the crowd and shop all three levels of the Kimmel Center with friends of the Ballet from 6-8pm on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Tickets include an introductory ribbon cutting ceremony on Broad Street followed by complementary drinks and hors d'oeuvres with live entertainment from the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School. For one night only, special vendors include the Nicole Miller Boutique, hand crafted jewelry made by PA Ballet principal dancer, Jermel Johnson, Gramercy Atelier and elegant custom jackets from designer Maria Pucci. Also, Ballet dancers will roam the floors modeling off this years latest fashion trends. Tickets to the benefit Preview Party are $100 and can be purchased at www.paballet.org/nutmarket.

"The Kimmel Center is thrilled to be the home of the Nutcracker Market – yet another opportunity to showcase the Kimmel Center and its Resident Companies," said Anne Ewers, President & CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. "We are thrilled to partner with Pennsylvania Ballet to create a holiday destination for all to enjoy!"

Look for additional vendor information, opening night details, specialty events such as neighborhood and LBGT nights, Nutcracker Market performance schedules and more coming soon.

The Nutcracker Market is sponsored by Pennsylvania Ballet, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Brandywine Global, Content Group, Roberts Event Group, Nordstrom, Roberts Events, and Wegmans.

About Pennsylvania Ballet

Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the nation's leading ballet companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Company's annual
local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™. For more information, visit paballet.org or call 215.551.7000.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is located at 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.