AUSTIN — It's a different take on the traditional "Nutcracker."
On Sunday afternoon, dancers with Ballet Afrique were practicing for a jazz version of the Christmas classic at their studios in East Austin.
This version, "The Nutcracker: A Sweet Duke Ellington Suite," is a tribute to Duke Ellington, the Harlem Renaissance pianist and composer.
The ensemble is Austin's first African American group to dance en pointe.
It means a lot to the younger ballerinas in the company -- like 14-year-old Omolivie Eboreime, who is a ninth grader at Round Rock High School.
"Whenever I was younger, I used to go to 'The Nutcracker' a lot with my family, so it brings back memories," Eboreime said. "I think it's really cool to be a part of the thing you used to watch. I used to be like, 'Wow, look at them, they look so cool.'"
China Smith is the founding artistic director of Ballet Afrique.
"Ballet Afrique is about generating admiration and appreciation for the experiences and the African diaspora through dance," Smith said. "I want them to be able to dance traditional West African dance, traditional Folklorico dance, traditional ballet modern -- everything that they need to actually have the tools to go into higher education arts programs."
Ballet Afrique's first of four performances of "The Nutcracker" is December 14 at the George Washington Carver Museum.
By the way: outgoing Austin City Councilwoman Ora Houston will be playing Mother Ginger.
You can find more information on Ballet Afrique here.