A clue from Mr. Nutcracker:
“Oh my gosh – he looks just like me!
Standing in this window – another wooden he!
What is this shop that offer flights and more
Cruises, tours and destinations to explore?”
The hunt is on for the Nutcracker, visiting Oak Bay village for a second holiday season, this time on a quest for love.
Last year’s visit was so enjoyable, Nutcracker has returned, visiting shops along the Avenue before the festive light-up Nov. 27, says Oak Bay Business Improvement Association’s Heather Leary.
“He’s coming back to Oak Bay village because he had such a great time last year,” Leary says.
The romance of the season has caught Nutcracker off guard, though, as his wooden heart is softening with dreams of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Could he be in love?
Follow Nutcracker through his adventures in Oak Bay village as he sorts through his feelings and gets advice from various shop keepers and a special Christmas elf about how to approach this budding romance.
Every morning between now and Nov. 26, Dance Victoria and Oak Bay BIA will post a photo and poem providing clues as to Nutcracker’s whereabouts that day. The first person to find him each day wins two tickets to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker, coming to the Royal Theatre Dec. 2 to 4.
Not first in line? Don’t despair – subsequent entries will be entered into a contest for a grand prize package that includes four tickets to the ballet, dinner at Oak Bay’s Vis-a-Vis and more, to be drawn Sunday, Nov. 27 during the Oak Bay Light-up.
“People loved it last year,” Leary says, noting Nutcracker’s stops will take people “from Foul Bay to Monterey and to all kinds of shops.
“It’s nice to have another (event) that gives back to the community.”
In Nutcracker, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score transport the audience to a wondrous world where Clara, her Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy dance through such special Canadian scenes as a snowy pond hockey game and battle between the RCMP and the Mouse King.
Did you know?
• To find out where Nutcracker will be today, visit Dance Victoria on Facebook and Instagram, or Oak Bay BIA on Facebook, for daily clues. Learn more at www.dancevictoria.com.
• For tickets to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker, call the Royal Theatre box office at 250-386-6121 or visit online at www.rmts.bc.ca.
• Want to have more Nutcracker fun? Take a selfie with Nutcracker and post your photo on Twitter. Be sure to tag your tweet with #FindTheNutcracker #OakBayChristmas #DVNut.