On Stage: Nothing like The Nutcracker to make it feel like Christmas

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Nutcracker by the Pennsylvania Ballet. The Pennsylvania Ballet’s annual production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” is one of the most cherished—and longest running—family holiday traditions for families in the region. For many, a visit to Philadelphia to enjoy the lavish presentation by the world-famous Pennsylvania Ballet is a integral...

On Stage (Extra): Make the holidays come alive with local productions

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times  The Nutcracker by The Pennsylvania Ballet For many families, going to a theater to watch a live on-stage production of a holiday show is an annual tradition – especially shows such as “A Christmas Carol,” “Best Christmas Ever” and various plays based on the Nativity scene. Without a doubt, the most popular holiday productions are ballet performances...

What To Do: ‘Mum’ is the word at Longwood

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times  This is the time of year when nature’s colors go through a shift. The bright colors of summer’s flowers are beginning to disappear and are being replaced by the autumnal colors of changing leaves. The only plants that really hang on and continue to have flowers are hardy pansies, which can bloom all winter long, and chrysanthemums, which are primarily...

Brandywine Ballet to perform free show, July 29

Brandywine Ballet, Chester County’s Premier, Regional, Non-profit Ballet Company is proud to be performing on Friday, July 29th @ 7pm in the The Delaware County Summer Festival (June 15-August 14), held at Rose Tree Park in Media, PA. This is a FREE performance!    Send article as PDF   

What To Do: Downingtown’s Good Neighbor Christmas

Also: Santa makes many, many appearances in and around Chester County By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for Downingtown’s Good Neighbor Christmas, Saturday. For as long as anyone around here can remember, Downingtown has had a reputation as a neighborly town — especially with an annual event schedule that includes Good Neighbor Day each summer...

What To Do: Longwood’s Chrysanthemum Festival

Also: Pumpkins are carved and a plethora of Halloween fun and scares By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Longwood Gardens’ annual Chrysanthemum Festival opens this weekend. As soon as the temperatures begin to drop, the only plants that really hang on and continue to have flowers are hardy pansies, which can bloom all winter long, and chrysanthemums, which are primarily autumn flowers. Longwood...

What To Do: It’s holiday excitement from wall to wall

Ballet, candlelight tours, shows, music — everything to get you in the holiday spirit By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Brandywine Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will have eight performances now through Dec. 21 at West chester University. For families as well as fans of the arts, one of the most popular annual holiday activities each year is attending a performance of the classic ballet...

What to do: Downton, WC May Day arts fest, beastly ballet

No shortage of fun, entertainment options this first weekend of May By Denny Dyroff, Correspondent, The Times The fashions of Downton Abbey — the popular BBC/PBS show — are currently featured at Winterthur. Winterthur’s annual Point-to-Point Races are usually held at the start of May. Being staged so close to May 5 each year, the event frequently has a heavy Cinco de Mayo party vibe. This year...

Six county cultural groups to get state funds

Ballet, theater, and art organizations are among grant recipients The Brandywine Ballet Company is one of the recipients of a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Photo by Gabriel Bienczycki Six county arts organizations will receive state funds, state Sen. Andy Dinniman announced Thursday. The  grants, which support the arts programs and operations of local nonprofits, were recently...