Ballet Arizona celebrates the influence of famed choreographer George Balanchine by performing his works “Serenade,” “Monumentum pro Gesualdo,” “Movements for Piano and Orchestra,” and “The Four Temperaments.” The Phoenix Symphony accompanies them.

There are restaurants that slash prices on margaritas or invite a mariachi band for Cinco de Mayo - and then there are restaurants that go a little nuts.

Ballet Etudes stages its version of this classic fairytale, set to Prokofiev’s timeless score. After most performances, backstage tours are available.

Director’s Choice: Ballet Arizona performs works by Alexei Ratmansky, Ib Andersen and a world premier by Alejandro Cerrudo of Chicago’s Hubbard Street Dance Company.

In a room at the School of Ballet Arizona, this phrase is tacked onto a bulletin board and followed faithfully: “There are three ways to build a costume — good, fast and cheap. Of these three options, only two of the three are possible at a time.”

When people think of Jewish film, their minds tend to jump right to two subjects: religion and the Holocaust. While the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival certainly embraces those subject matters, executive director Jerry Mittelman ensures that they make up only a slice of the wide spectrum of films the fest has to offer.

Created by Arizona native Timothy Reckart, “Head Over Heels” puts an imaginative, whimsical twist on the tale of a married couple grown apart – he lives on the floor while she lives on the ceiling.

The School of Ballet Arizona has a new scholarship for young male dancers, in honor of famed dancer and former pupil of the school, David Hallberg.

Eighteen dancers perform cutting-edge contemporary works of modern dance from choreographers Aszure Burson, Alejandro Cerrudo and Swedish choreographer Mats Ek.

‘The Nutcracker’ - Start a family tradition by attending Ib Andersen’s production of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, complete with dancing snowflakes, devious mice and a magical prince.

A total of 32 Phoenix nonprofit arts and culture organizations received $525,346 in grant funding in the 2012-13 fiscal year from the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture.

The Spirit of Christmas show at Chandler Center for the Arts is as much fun for the performers as it is for the audience.

Through Dec. 24

There are a few things that, over the years, have become traditions for Valley residents around the holidays: ZooLights. Las Noches de las Luminarias. Hale Centre Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol.” And “The Nutcracker” by Ballet Etudes.

“Giselle”: Ballet Arizona opens its season with this classic tale of betrayal, heartbreak and a haunted forest.

After homework and chores are done, most kids like spending their free time after school watching TV or playing video games.

After homework and chores are done, most kids like spending their free time after school watching TV or playing video games.