#nutcracker season 2021

[ribbonetteart]

Tribute to one of my favorite movies of all time + the franchise that has me in a death grip 💖

a bit late for Christmas but at least Valentine's day is around the corner ^^;;

Process below if that interests you:

AS I SAID EARLIER, I had been working on this piece as early as December of 2021 😱!!!

This was the original sketch! I was inspired after learning about Blaze's own design inspiration coming from Takarazuka theater, as well as it being the Nutcracker season so this film was in bouncing around in my head.

and this was allllll the way back in 2021 ^^; I had put the idea to paper to capture the image in my head immediately. But the idea in my head was extravagant and beautiful and would certainly take time to complete, as well as the patience and skill to work with watercolor 😔 I've certainly done my share of watercolor, both physical and digital, but I still feel like my physical watercolor work is a fluke, and I was still a novice digital artist at the time of this sketch.

In short, I was confident my skill could live up to the vision.

So I would put this on the back burner. It wouldn't be ready in time for Christmas, and I could use this as an opportunity to hone that digital art experience so it could be ready next year!

2 Years Later...

It's December 5th. Fuck it. Let's crack this open again, I tell myself.

SO starting with the line art, it's actually 2 different brushes layered over one another.

I also changed Sonic's expression to be more love struck-looking, because I'm a sucker for romance.

The image on the left is a watercolor line brush, while the right is a pencil brush. The reason I wanted a water color look was because I thought it would make the illustration look dreamy and fantastical, and I wanted that to extend to the line art as well. However, my usual lines on traditional usually veer more towards thick and cartoony from years of studying the Sonic art style, so I really felt like I was working against myself here. I had also asked friends for their input and they preferred the lines on the right as well. If my followers actually do read these blog posts, I'd love if you could comment which line art style you prefer drawing or looking at.

The happy medium was to just combine the 2. Here's a better look at that:

I like it! I think it combines the solid line with the rustic water color grain. Best of both worlds :]

For the actual painting, The most notable thing I can say is that getting the right pastel-y color was VERY difficult to achieve for someone like me who often loves to use bright and saturated colors in her art. I feel like I really set myself up to do one of those "evil art style" or "opposite art style" challenges I've been seeing around. I had to repaint Sonic at one paint because the blue of his fur was WAY too saturated for the style I was going for:

I started with painting Sonic and Blaze in first and then working on the background. I think that's probably the backwards way of doing it but one of the perks of digital art is you can do stuff any order you want when you have layers.

The background wasn't actually as difficult as I thought it would be. I wasn't going for any difficult perspective, and I was using a reference so that could be it. I'm usually averse to backgrounds but I really wanna tackle more of my weak points in art. I actually had way more fun than I was expecting, painting the sky and adding texture to the grass. I think I had the most fun rendering the water coming from the fountain (which you can't even see too well anyway, lol).

Funny enough, I had just about finished painting the characters and background by early January. So why am I posting this in February?

The Flowers...

In case you don't know. I love flowers. I love looking at them, I love learning about flower languages, I love drawing them. so seeing that my reference image showed flowers circling the fountain, I was excited! I was already having more fun than I expected to be, working against my usual style, rendering a background, so how could this be a pain in the ass?

Well, I am my own worst enemy 😞I couldn't exactly identify each flower offhand from this screenshot alone. The texture of the flowers is kinda grainy, since I don't think the animators were expecting viewers to look too closely at the set piece to use as reference for my lovingly crafted crossover fanart. If anyone has this in high quality though, please tell me.

(I think I actually got this reference from a tumblr post but I can't find it on my blog for the life of me nor can I find it in the tags I'm so sorry)

I'm a huge stickler for details so I really wanted to be as "accurate" as possible in my illustration. I can hardly identify some of these flowers with confidence. I think there are roses in there? or tulips? I'm not sure if those yellow flowers are roses or some kinda petunia or if I'm way off.

I'm sure these details won't matter to most viewers but it was EATING AWAY AT ME. Eventually I decided to try drawing in flowers that might look similar to the ones in the reference. Or some based on their flower languages. I was certainly overthinking it ;;;; It led me to going "fuck it" and just throwing in whatever I wanted. There are no irises visible in that screenshot but I made it the centerpiece of the flower ring. Who give a shit.

I made some guides for me to follow: The blue ring was so I could make sure the flowers make a half circular border around Sonic and Blaze. I was envisioning how it could look as like an icon or sticker or something, which is why it's framed this way. then the second guide is the sketch of the flowers I made. I always do line art and I'm not great at just improvising with color to paper, or color to screen in this case.

The rest of this process is then just working on each flower piece by piece (with the help of the mirror tool of course) with varying degrees of detail. Some flowers are more abstract than others, and I had debated if that would look jarring and disrupted any kind of harmony I was trying to maintain with the style parameters I set for myself. And then I decided I was overthinking it once again which is why this was taking me nearly 2 months to complete.

At some point during this process, my wifi went out for a whole week! Of course, I could still work on this illustration offline, but I had a lot of tabs open with a bunch of reference images on there (plus I like to listen to music while I draw otherwise I lose focus and I had neglected to download a varied selection on my phone or laptop 😭 Learn from my mistakes).

The most tedious of this process was making each set of gladioluses a unique color.

Was it worth it? You tell me! I think they're pretty, at least.

Along the way, I repainted the grass because it wasn't symmetrical (It didn't need to be but I had been using the mirror tool for a lot at this point and it was bugging me). I made other little final adjustments, like color adjusting the leaves on the flowers, lowering the flower ring border, and so on.

Ultimately, I'm extremely satisfied with the final product. I had my heart set on doing something like this for a long time. I had so much fun just experimenting throwing on color or not worrying about technical stuff. Of course, I did do what I usually do and overthink it at some points, but I'm working on it!

I've wanted to do an extremely indulgent AU illustration and other drawings for a Sonic x The Nutcracker story for a long while. I will be totally honest, I'm still a little embarrassed to share stuff like this, even after years of posting fan art online. It feels like the more self indulgent something is, the more people might judge me for it ^^; But I wanna practice what I preach and kill the thing inside me that cringes at my harmless attempts at joy and whimsy.

I would love to do some more drawings for this AU, but maybe post them around December when it would be more seasonally appropriate. I hope you'll stick around for it!

If you read this whole thing to the end, thank you. Whether you follow my blog or not, I hope you have a lovely day :3💝

#Barbie in the Nutcracker #Sonic the Hedgehog #Blaze the Cat #Sonaze #Jess's Digital Odyssey #Sorry for not posting frequently it may happen again

[dance-world]

Shale Wagman - First Soloist, Bavarian State Ballet

Shale Wagman trained in Toronto and in Monte Carlo at the Académie Princesse Grace. He has received numerous awards, including the first prize at the Prix de Lausanne, the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation award for artistry in 2018 and the youth American Grand Prix (2014). He was the youngest guest ever invited to perform in a principal role (James in La Sylphide) at the Mariinsky. He has performed in many gala performances, including the International Ballet Festival in St. Petersburg Dance Open (2019) or the Gala de Danza in Los Cabos, Mexico.

His first engagement was with the English National Ballet in London under the direction of Tamara Rojo. He has performed in productions by Derek Deane (Swan Lake), Marco Goecke (Hungarian Dance No.1, created for him), Akram Khan (Dust), Russell Maliphant (Second Breath), Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (Frida), Jean-Christophe Maillot (Nutcracker), Christopher Wheeldon (Cinderella) and Wayne McGregor (Chroma solo).

Since 2015, Shale Wagman has repeatedly choreographed, including works for the Académie Princesse Grace, Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco and the Gala de Danza, Mexico.

He has been engaged by the Bayerisches Staatsballett since spring 2021 and was promoted to first soloist for the 2022-23 season.

Bayerisches Staatsballett Bio

#Shale Wagman #Bavarian State Ballet #tänzer #bailarín #dancer #danseur #ballerino #boys of ballet #ballet men #dance #ballet

[dem-obscure-imagines]

Christmas/Holidays/New Year's Eve Masterlist

In the mood for some winter fluff? Look no further than these curated picks from my collection.

General Winter Imagines

Arthur Curry x Reader

Sweater Weather - Fluff

When it gets colder outside, the king of the sea loans you his sweater.

Jack Frost x Reader

Snowflake - Fluff, Soulmate AU

Your soulmark is a snowflake, and thus, winter easily became your favorite season. However, you have a good feeling about winter this year, a tingly feeling that makes your mark glow...

Tired of Gray - Fluff, Soulmate AU

It’s Christmas time and you’re just about sick of your gray, gray world. Luckily, your soulmate is known to visit in the winter.

Christmas/Holiday Imagines

Bernard the Elf x Reader

The Way it Was Before - Alternate Universe, Bernard exists during Escape Clause Plot, Magic!Reader, a light angst, a lot of fluff.

Something is VERY wrong this Christmas, and it seems you’re the only person in the world who remembers the way things were before. Well, almost the only person. It’s up to you and the Head Elf to save the day before Jack’s wish becomes irreversible.

Home for the Holidays - Fluff, Christmas, Santa’s Daughter!Reader

When you come home for Christmas, Bernard realizes that you’re the reincarnation of someone very dear to him.

All I Want For Christmas - Fluff, Christmas, Santa’s Daughter!Reader

Being Santa Claus’ daughter, it was only inevitable that you’d catch feelings for his head elf…

Dear Santa… - Fluff, Writer Elf!Reader

The writing department has been especially short on elves this year, and this means you find yourself responsible for writing a whole bunch of letters. Luckily, the head elf has his eye on you.

Druig x Reader

Merry Little Christmas - Fluff, Christmas, GN! Reader

Christmas with the Eternals is a little extra special this year because of a certain mind-controlling telepath…

Prince Eric (Barbie in the Nutcracker)

Real - Fluff, Christmas

After arriving back in your living room, you’re startled to find out that the previous night was real, Mouse King, Nutcracker, and all.

Home - Fluff, Christmas

The locket is supposed to take you home, but in your heart, you know you’re already there.

Steve Harrington x Reader

About Time - Fluff, Soulmate AU, Time Travel

You discover a time-traveling wormhole in your closet and a hot guy from the 80′s on the other side of it.

Steve Rogers x Reader

The Nutcracker - Fluff, Ballerina!Reader

When your winter recital finally comes around, Steve is more than happy to support you.

Warren Worthington III x Reader

Merry Christmas, Darling - Fluff, Christmas, Mutant!Reader, Gender Neutral!Reader

The Holidays are in full swing at the X Mansion, and as always, you are tasked with helping run the place. But things are a lot less dull with a certain winged mutant around.

Santa Baby - Fluff, Christmas

You use the power of invisibility to put a Santa hat on each of the X-Men. 

New Year's Eve Kisses

New Year’s Eve Kisses 2017 - Steve Harrington, Marty McFly, Edmund Pevensie, Thackery Binx, Wanda Maximoff

New Year’s Eve Kisses 2020 - Alex Vreeke (Jumanji), Jack Frost, Ben Tennyson, Diaval, Peeta Mellark

New Year’s Eve Kisses 2021 - Bernard the Elf, Bucky Barnes, Diana Prince, Killian Jones, Pietro Maximoff

New Year’s Eve Kisses 2022 - Eddie Munson, Druig, Kili, Neville Longbottom, Peter Pan

#winter imagines #christmas imagines #bernard the elf #the santa clause #jack frost #rise of the guardians #marvel #barbie in the nutcracker

[vadreams]

Marianela Núñez and Vadim Muntagirov in several classical pas de deux: The Nutcracker (2017), La Bayadère (2018), Don Quixote (2020), Sleeping Beauty (2021) - Royal Opera House

Bonus Nutcracker because ‘tis the season:

#marianela nunez #vadim muntagirov #royal ballet #ballet gif #pas de deux #the nutcracker #la bayadere #don quixote #sleeping beauty #my beloveds #look I made a gifset #mine: gifs #this blog runs on queue most of the time #I can't wait for cinderella omg

[balanchine-ballet-master]

Nutcracker Kids Grow Up

Terry Trucco has a lovely article in Playbill about three current NYCB dancers who performed in The Nutcracker as children.

The Polichinelles in 1985. Photo: Martha Swope --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A hallmark of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is its roster of 126 children, aged 7 to 13, in two alternating casts, who all study in the Children’s Division at the School of American Ballet (SAB), New York City Ballet’s official school. A small percentage of those students will eventually move up to the Advanced Division at SAB, and at the end of their studies, a few will be invited to join NYCB, achieving the total Nutcracker experience—returning to Balanchine’s quintessential holiday ballet to perform as adults.

That storied third group includes former NYCB Principal Dancers Peter Boal, Jennie Somogyi, Gelsey Kirkland, and Judith Fugate, among others, as well as current corps de ballet members Shelby Mann, Mckenzie Bernardino Soares, and Rommie Tomasini, who each enrolled in SAB at the age of 6. Now coming back to the production as members of the corps de ballet, which they joined in 2022, they shared their fond memories of those formative years performing in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.

Shelby Mann’s earliest recollections of being in The Nutcracker are of playing jacks, a favored pre-show ritual for young cast members, and of her trailing hairpiece in the Party Scene. “My memories of The Nutcracker are so heightened,” she says. “Every time I smell hairspray, it’s like I’m back in the lower concourse of the theatre during The Nutcracker.”

From her debut at age 7 in the Party Scene, Mann sprinted up the Nutcracker ladder, appearing as an Angel, a Polichinelle, a Mouse, and then, at the ripe age of 11, a Candy Cane. “We would all look forward to The Nutcracker each year. It was what defined our childhood and our winter,” she says.

Born into a dance-world family in Harlem—her grandfather Jacques d’Amboise, grandmother Carolyn George, and uncle Christopher d’Amboise all danced with NYCB, and her parents are acclaimed Broadway performers Charlotte d’Amboise and Terrence Mann—Mann discovered her passion for dance through the iconic holiday ballet. “I loved that in rehearsals, because you were playing a character, you got to build your performance. Being in The Nutcracker made me realize that this is what I wanted to do.”

Since joining NYCB, Mann has danced Dolls, Snow, Hot Chocolate, and Flowers, and her affection for Balanchine’s two-act masterpiece—and the camaraderie that develops naturally among the cast, no matter what age—remains undiminished. “I love how The Nutcracker connects to the holidays,” she says. “We all decorate our dressing rooms, have Secret Santas, and bring cookies.”

Left: Shelby Mann as a Polichinelle in 2013. Photo: Paul Kolnik Right: Mann in Waltz of the Flowers, 2022. Photo: Erin Baiano

During his childhood performances in The Nutcracker, Mckenzie Bernardino Soares made a point of watching the effervescent Hot Chocolate. “The music, the spice—I just loved it,” he says. “And I remember thinking, dancing this is all I want to do in my life.”

Fast forward to 2021. As a freshly minted NYCB apprentice, Soares landed his dream role and repeated it last year as a member of the corps de ballet. The verdict? “It’s always a fun time on stage, and you get to show your personality,” he says. “And if it gets a little repetitive sometimes, I just think, well, little Mckenzie would have loved to do this.”

Growing up in Danbury, Connecticut, Soares’ Nutcracker experience was punctuated by long hours in the family car, driving 65 miles each way to rehearsals and performances. “Being on stage made it all worth it,” he says. He also enjoyed supervising the younger dancers backstage during “the gap” when SAB students are too old for children’s parts, and he relished hearing advice from Company members backstage and in the wings. This season, Soares, who added Mouse King to his Nutcracker repertory last year, looks forward to using the roles he dances to expand his artistry. “It’s actually nice that the choreography is the same every day, so it becomes about what you bring to each performance,” he says.

Left: Mckenzie Bernardino Soares as a Soldier in 2012. Photo: Paul Kolnik Right: Soares with Shelby Mann in Hot Chocolate, 2022. Photo: Erin Baiano

Rommie Tomasini remembers begging her mother to let her audition for SAB, where her older sister was a student, and quickly discovering a love of dance. At age 7, she was cast as the Bunny in The Nutcracker. A season as a Mouse and a Polichinelle followed, and for two years, she was Marie. When the time came to begin pointe work, she decided that ballet was her future. “I didn’t want to do anything else after school, and I thought, This is a done deal,” she says.

Her earliest Nutcracker memory dates from her first dress rehearsal. “I was the Bunny, and I remember looking at all the mouse heads on the Mouse King’s crown and being too terrified to pull his tail,” she recalls.

Yet looking back, Tomasini, who grew up on the Upper East Side, marvels at how confident she felt on stage as a child. “I was never nervous. I was just so happy to be out there. I’m amazed at how much we learned about acting and artistry so young.”

Dolls, Snow, Hot Chocolate, and Tea are among the Nutcracker parts Tomasini has performed since she became an apprentice in 2021. But her recollections of being in a swarm of Nutcracker kids, scrutinizing the steps and making up versions of Hot Chocolate, Marzipan, and Coffee, remain vivid. “It’s mind-blowing that we’re now dancing the roles that we once pretended to do backstage,” she says.

Left: Rommie Tomasini as the Bunny in 2011. Photo: Paul Kolnik Right: Tomasini in Waltz of the Snowflakes in 2021. Photo: Erin Baiano

#The Nutcracker #Nutcracker ballet #Balanchine #New York City Ballet #NYCB #dancing children #Shelby Mann #Mckenzie Bernardino Soares #Rommie Tomasini #professional children #child dancers #then & now #10 years later

[mitchski]

top mitch/auston moments that make u want to chew ur arm off?

OF ALL TIME??? I consider myself a little 1634 historian so there's truly so. many. moments. i have limited myself to 1 per year (not per season).

2016:

CNE date this was one of the first things i made for them and first times i saw them interact and i thought hmmmm there's something here

2017:

first time they properly played together in an nhl game and auston immediately scored twice lmfao. fuck babcock foreva

2018:

the actual involvement in the nutcracker was a win for me and the size difference squad but the behind the scenes vid was a piece of herstory i'll never let go of ! (real ones get the reference here)

2019:

MITCH MARNER SHOT ON IPHONE BY AUSTON MATTHEWS!

2020:

first real season of them playing together consistently and the chemistry was just so sexc. unmatched. and auston could finally stop bitchin abt it

2021:

me when i'm talking about my 115lbs trophy wife who has maxed out all my credit cards

2022:

this is like when in aag fics they change the name of the cis man.

#anon #ask #i think i fuced up the years whatever

[tikitania]

While I'm sure Mariinsky has now lost many of its licenses I don't think the September playbill is any reflection of that. It's almost an exact repeat of how the season opened last year (mid-September with Chemiakin's Nutcracker, La Sylphide, Swan Lake and a short ballets/divertissement evening - really just the exact same except the choice of divertissement, and this year has R&J instead of Le Corsaire) and both of those season openings had slightly more shows and more variety than the one right before the war in Sep 2021. Septembers are always slow at the Mariinsky. I don't think they've lost all their licenses overnight, I think they're still in the process of expiring (though they've definitely lost Midsummer already rip Midsummer).

True…and given that company classes have not yet started, they probably need time to asses dancer fitness and condition for the stage.

There was also a big kerfuffle when they originally planned “The Four Seasons” by Ilya Zhivoy to open the season. He’s a choreographer who left the country in protest, so it was yanked. (I believe he’s Ukrainian.)

I’m very curious as to how this season will pan out. Stay tuned!

[sissy-feminized-into-ballerina]

Welcome Back To Reality

February 8, 2021, by Fairbreezeaurora ♥ 

“Oh thank goodness you’re awake. That was a nasty fall. Well get up then, plenty to do.”

“Where am I? Who are you?”

“Blimey you really did hurt your head. Okay. My name’s Miss Olga, I’m your ballet instructor. You hired me to help you improve your Fouettés & Pirouettes after your on-stage injury last season. You fell over here in my class on your 8th spin, hitting your head on the barre.”

“What? Ballet? No I shouldn’t be here. You must be mistaken miss. My name is Robert Pattinson. I’m a movie star set to play the next Batman. Do you know where I can find my way back to set? Filming slots are tight thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic.”

“Robert Pattinson? Movie star playing the next Batman? Coronavirus? What are you talking about my dear? I’m afraid your concussion is worse than I first thought my dear. Your name isn’t Robert, it’s Rachel. You haven’t called yourself Robert since you were a young child. As for being a film star, I don’t know how you would find the time what with being the world’s foremost transgender ballerina. Now come on you’ve got the rest of our routine to through.”

“No wait this can’t be right. I’m a film star, a male one.”

“Oh really? Well how about you get up off your feet, hold onto the barre and look out toward the wall mirror?”

Robert stood up to see this reflected back at him.

“What are you wearing Rachel?”

“A…. a pink leotard and leg warmers miss.”

“Does Batman wear leotards and leg warmers normally?”

“No miss.”

“What would you say you look like Rachel?”

“A ballet dancer miss.”

“Good girl. Now I’ll hear no more of this being Batman nonsense. You have a long routine to memorise and perfect if we are to be ready by next season.”

“Yes miss… oh but one thing miss?”

“What is it?”

“Is there a Batman movie in production or did I make that up too?”

“Oh there is. It’s starring your ex-boyfriend Christian Stewart come to think of it. Perhaps that’s why you got confused…

… but regardless we have a show to prepare for. So stand up straight, chin raised, elegant arms and dance for me.”

Over the coming weeks and months of training and the necessary dieting that went along with it, all memories of Robert faded into obscurity. By the time Christmas of 2021 rolled around, Rachel was more than prepared for her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy in this season’s performance of the Nutcracker.

[sixteen-juniper]

Ok ok so i didn’t want to ask this in a comment on your fic so I’ll ask here, since you clearly got some classical music love in ya do you have any pieces to recommend for those classic musically illiterate i.e. me? Or just any that ya really really like? Cause those are some bops you’ve been dropping in your authors notes and I’m wanting more sweet sweet tunes 😆

Oh my god, do I ever. This is the greatest ask, thank you! I made the biggest word doc to catalogue everything, because I love classical music and love spreading that love. Obviously Mozart is his own section. I'm adding some explainers as to why I like these pieces / the mood you might want to be in to listen to them. Linking to Youtube because it's the most accessible! If you do listen to anything on this list, please tell me what you think. I left out so much but these are my favorites!

Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring: If you want to cause a riot in Paris in 1900, (which actually happened) this is the way to do it. God, this one goes SO hard from beginning to end.  Firebird is gorgeous as well, but there’s nothing like dancing around your apartment to those drums. Rite of Spring is around 35-40 minutes depending on the recording and just one of my favorites.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony – I’m deliberately linking to the Berlin Celebration concert, played to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall because it’s so incredibly moving, especially the Ode to Joy, as sung here. There's this raw emotion in this recording that really hits for me (1h,30mins)

Prokofiev – Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet – Another piece that has no rights to go as hard as it does!

Tchaikovsky – You can’t go wrong with any of his ballets! Swan Lake , Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker Pas de Deux are all gorgeous, full of great highs and lows. Tchaikovsky is popular for good reason!

Saint-Saens - Danse Macabre It is almost Halloween!

Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto #2 aka Rach2. I love this one in particular because it really is a piece that feels of its time in a way that has to be heard. It’s about 40 minutes long.

Erik Satie – Gnossienes 1-6 and Gymnopedies  1-3. God these are so soft and beautiful. My go to work music at the moment when I need to focus. They’re each fairly short, so they’re good quick listens.

Holst – The Planets Suite I think my favorite is Jupiter but they are all good. The full suite is around 45 minutes, but you can jump around!

Antonio Vivaldi – The Four Seasons You will probably know this from commercials or movies, I feel like Spring and Winter especially are very well known, for a reason. They’re great! Each is a pretty quick listen! (under 10 mins)

Aaron Copland – Appalachian Spring. The Doppio movimento was my #1 most listened to song of 2021, but it’s all great.

Mozart!!

He's my guy! I went to Vienna specifically because I love him so much. It was a struggle to not give you only Mozart on this list.

Opera Overtures/Arias

The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte, Die Zauberflaute/The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, Idomeneo

Arias (mostly Flute bc this list is too long already)

Tamino’s Dies Bildnis (obviously you knew this one) Papageno’s Der Vogelfanger bin Ich ja. The Queen of the Night/ Der Hölle Rache <- god OP this one slaps so hard it can’t be contained. Soave sia il vento from Cosi fan Tutte which is a trio and gorgeous.

Instrumental

Eine Klein Nachtmusic, Piano Sonata 16, Symphony 29, The Requiem, I’m linking you to the Lacrimosa for some haunted vibes, Symphony No. 25, Symphony 40

Let's get weird!

Olivier Messiaen - Turangalila Symphony (for Futurama fans, iykyk) and the Quartet for the End of Time. I saw Turangalila when I lived in Seattle and it was transcendent.

#classical music #ask #opinions

[ironicscavenger]

CAROLINA’S HOLIDAY VIBES: A Holiday Playlist

I set out to have at least one gift for you this season. It may not be much, but I offer you this playlist. It’s catered to my own holiday music tastes, but hopefully you guys can enjoy it too. This selection is as chaotic as I am: it’s got some Christmas classics, some modern songs, classical music, and a few latin american songs for good messure. Forgive the many different versions of the Nutcracker, my holiday favorite, but each of them are beautiful, and I can’t resist them.

Much love, Carolina

holiday special: previous | next

2018 holiday special | 2019 holiday special | 2020 holiday special | 2021 holiday mini special

#ts4 #sims #ts4 edit #holiday special 2022 #carolina #i can never find a holiday playlist that fits me #so i made one #hope you enjoy!

[allsassnoclass]

pas de deux director’s cut!

This december I completed my longest fic to date, a fake dating ballet au where Michael is a choreographer and Ashton is a principal at a made-up ballet company in Minnesota.  Lots of time and love went into this fic, so I figured I’d share a bit of the process and behind the scenes nuggets!  Here are a few thoughts and inside details about my fic pas de deux. (spoilers below!)

The Beginnings

So, how did this fic start?  The very first idea of it came in the beginnings of December 2021, but the fic itself didn’t take shape until the early early early mornings of December 31, when I messaged megs @igarbagecannoteven​ the following:

This evolved slightly on January 4, 2022:

From there, however, came the issue of discovering why two ballet dancers would have to fake date.  Usually fake dating is pretty easy and intuitive for me to structure, because it’s my favorite trope and I dabble in it a lot (pas de deux is my fourth fake relationship fic I’ve posted).  A few reasonings that megs and I brainstormed were as follows:

one of them is being hit on and lies and says that they have a boyfriend, but they say this lie to a journalist covering the ballet company and it gets out of hand

rival companies that are either working together for the first time to mix reviews or that want more publicity so fake dating commences to make it appear more harmonious than it actually is

a new, very young choreographer and the seasoned principal dancer who have some sort of interaction that the public likes, and because the public doubts the choreographer but trusts the dancer's opinion the company decides to make it seem like the dancer really approves of the choreographer via fake dating plot

the company has become kinda infamous for not being very welcoming to newcomers, so much so that it's become public knowledge, so they cook up the fake dating scheme to be like "look how well this new choreographer is assimilating he's even dating one of our best dancers"

I knew at this point that I wanted to include mashton pushing each other to be better, and I wanted the fake dating to extend to the public rather than just faking it in front of other company members.  i also knew that I wanted them to dance together, because that’s the whole point of me writing a fic where they’re dancers.  I have a thing about dancing together as a show of intimacy, it’s something that appears in a lot of my fics and that I try to incorporate as much as possible and something that I always enjoy when I see it in media (when von trapp is teaching maria how to dance in sound of music, for example).  I also was in the middle of writing Partner Steps during this, so I was wavering on whether I wanted one of them to be a choreographer given that I was already writing a fic where one of them was a choreographer.  I needed a few days to bounce all of these ideas around in my mind, but on January 29 there was the full breakthrough!

That day I also decided that I would be playing fast and loose with particular aspects of a professional ballet company (such as having Ashton play the nutcracker every performance, rather than having multiple nutcrackers who go through a rotation throughout the run), and I cast Halsey as the sugarplum fairy, Crystal as Michael’s assistant, and Feldy as the artistic director of the ballet company.  I am a huge fan of putting halsey and ashton in partner performance things (in my circus school au they do hand to hand balancing together, in my ice dance au they’re partners, etc) and I knew that they would do the pas together, since I wanted to give the nutcracker a bigger role in the show.  For a ballet that’s named after him, he typically doesn’t do much.

After that message, I didn’t touch the au for months.  I outlined the first chapter in April, and then I didn’t touch it until May (made no actual progress), and then I didn’t touch it until September (made no progress).

as you can see.  things were looking bleak.  But!  at this point I knew a few touchstone pieces:

ashton needs to move past his traumatic injury and regain his confidence while also kind of switching his mindset about dance to ensure that it stays an art form he loves rather than a source of stress and upset

this ashton is really guarded due to the Pressures of Fame ^TM so whether michael likes him as a person rather than a publicity stunt/principal dancer is going to be a big deal in some way

michael is choreographing his first multi-act ballet and hoping that it's successful because if it isn't, it'll be a dark mark on his choreography career, and at this point he's more interested in choreography/teaching than in being a principal dancer

those were the two big parts of their character motivations in the story, and those were the two things that I needed to drive the story, more so than the fake dating or the development of the show itself.

At this point I didn’t even know what Luke and Calum’s roles were and whether they knew Ashton before this season or not.  That was a bit of a stumbling block because I’m generally a very character-focused writer, and I was having a hard time moving forward with the story without knowing where all of my people would be and what their relationships were.

By mid-october, I had chapter 1 and a little bit of chapter 2 outlined, the sentence “date to mia here!!!” by chapter three, and “sexy times then ghosting?” by chapter 4.  By the time I reached November, aka Nanowrimo, aka when I had to begin writing if I had any hope at all of finishing, I had a few more bullet points, but I was very much flying by the seat of my pants.

The Writing Process

One thing that everyone should know about me is that I do not consider myself a very disciplined writer.  If I don’t have inspiration or motivation for a particular project, I simply will not write it.  I have trouble writing on a schedule, and while I do tend to write a lot of words in the grand scheme of things (over 100k a year in recent years), it doesn’t feel like a lot because it’s often not on the same project.  I have 90 fic ideas for 5sos alone, not factoring in my other fandoms, so focusing in on one project for two months was something I thought impossible until I somehow managed to pull it off for this fic.

Basically, I sat down every day, made myself write, logged my wordcount on the nano website, went to bed, rinse and repeat.  I was able to outline a bit as I went along, which helped.  It turns out that it’s easier to write if I have what the next scene is written down lol. This isn’t because I will forget otherwise, there’s just something about physically seeing it in writing that helps focus my thoughts.  You learn something new with every fic, I guess!

I also gave writing updates to the club every night, which helped keep me disciplined as well.  Big thanks to Annie, Bella, and all the other people in that groupchat for support and encouragement, because I needed it, especially towards the end when I was burning out.

Overall, I am amazed at myself for writing this fic.  Maybe that seems a little self-congradulatory, but before this fic, the longest thing I had ever written was if we make it through december, which was 28k.  unmute was my only wip even near that length, the other were all around 10k.  I knew that this fic would be longer than that, but watching myself actually pull it off was kind of mind-boggling, even though I was the one doing it.  I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do something like this again.  For the most part, it was a relatively pleasant experience.  I didn’t have any breakdowns.  I wasn’t overly stressed, although there definitely were very stressful times.  Looking back on it, the specifics of the writing process are a bit of a blur.  It just... happened.  I kept chugging along like the little engine that could!

One thing about this fic is that I got extremely lucky with light bulb moments where I was able to carry forth ideas from early scenes, which I think helped keep the story cohesive.

Michael naming the nutcrackers in his head in later chapters is solely because Bella said in a comment on the first chapter that she hoped it was an ongoing thing.

Ashton sending a video of Michael’s choreography to Feldy and that being what got him hired?  That was not something I planned, it’s just something that snuck in as I wrote the last chapter.  I had planted that idea of Ashton suggesting people to Feldy early on, so I had a lightbulb moment as I was writing to try to bring it full circle.  I’m trying to fulfill Chekhov’s gun a bit more in my writing, so I enjoyed putting it in there, even if I was a little unsure whether it would be too much or not.

Michael’s general loneliness came about as I was writing rather than being something I planned.  As such, most of the last chapter was actually not planned, as a lot of it has to do with Michael finally feeling secure in his place in the company and friend group.  It’s very convenient that I had something to fill that time with, though, because if the chapter just had to do with his interactions with Ashton it would be pretty short due to the whole ghosting-miscommunication thing

As far as writing preferences, chapter 1 was the easiest, chapter 3 was my favorite because of the date, and chapter 5 was both my least favorite and the one that I think is the worst.  That’s a horrible feeling to have about the last chapter, but I wish I had been able to come up with a better plot than “Ashton thinks that Michael doesn’t actually care about him because he still has unresolved trauma from his experience at NYCB and therefore is absent for the entire chapter and everyone is a little miserable,” but I think i resolved it as well as I could and i think that everything that happened could’ve still very well been in character.  chapter 5 was by far the least planned chapter, which also made things difficult.  looking back, though, i don’t know what I would have done differently, so overall I’m content :)

Handling the Ensemble

This fic, while centering heavily on Michael and Ashton, does have a lot of other characters in it, and I want to talk a little bit about all of the non-mashton people!

Feldy: as stated above, I knew right away that Feldy would be the artistic director of Minneapolis Ballet, but I didn’t anticipate just how heavily he would feature in this fic.  I believe that he has the most screen time out of anyone besides Michael and Ashton.  Him being somewhat of a father-figure to Ashton was a bit of a surprise, but ultimately I really like that aspect of their relationship in the fic.  We know that all of 5sos feels really close to him, but I think that Ashton in particular really appreciates Feldy’s presence as an older figure who they can relate to and learn from, so I enjoyed translating that into this fic.  I don’t mention anything about Ashton’s blood family in this fic, and Feldy is very much his closest father figure in it.  When they connected, it was an instant bond, and Feldy saw Ashton for who he is as a person rather than as the dancer that everyone knew, while also being one of the few people to still, very sincerely believe in him.  as such, their relationship developed into something pretty special.  we don’t get to see too much of it since the fic is from Michael’s point of view, but Feldy being a fun yet extremely competent guiding light in the fic was a very pleasant development.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllssssssseeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! I wish I could’ve put them in the fic more.  The biggest sadness I have is that she just didn’t naturally fit in the fic in more scenes.  In general, I had to make an effort to include more ensemble scenes with multiple characters so it wasn’t just michael and ashton and feldy all of the time, especially because Partner Steps is solely mashton and I didn’t want it to be too similar.  As such, i feel like Halsey was underutilized in this fic, unfortunately :(  Still, I enjoyed thinking of them as a principal ballet dancer, and I do think that their vibe would be great for the flavor of Sugarplum that I wanted in the fic.  When the company eventually does Swan Lake, Halsey plays Odette/Odile.

Sierra and Crystal: I have a hard time writing Sierra and Crystal.  I never know if I’m writing them well, because I honestly don’t know them very well.  I don’t follow either of them on social media, since I’m fans of the boys and not of them, so I’m always making everything up when I write them.  I try my best with the info that I have, but the info that I have is not much.  As such, Crystal became a bit more like a plot device and Sierra became mostly another body necessary for some scenes.  Apologies to both ladies, but this fic simply was not suited for more than that at this time.  I did enjoy developing mystal’s friendship and I liked the details of Crystal having been a principal in Minnesota before and enjoying kids, as well as finding instances to make Luke fall in love with Sierra.

Roy: I do follow Roy on instagram, because I want to study him under a microscope.  He’s also a somewhat difficult character for me to write, but the background roylum was genuinely one of the very first things about the fic that I wanted to accomplish, so our guy gets to be in the ensemble scenes!  There wasn’t necessarily a lot of place to actually pepper in the fact that roylum was existing in this universe, so figuring out how to drop that in the narrative was interesting, as they don’t give me the impression of an excessive pda couple.

Calum and Luke: okay. the other two 5sos boys.  once again, half the time I felt like I was just throwing them in there so the entire fic wasn’t just mashton and feldy, but they both also have very interesting dynamics with Ashton which unfortunately were not able to be fully explored in the fic as this was not that story!  this was not their place!  but I do think there’s so much depth to those dynamics that only occurs off of the page.  Luke really deeply admires Ashton in a lot of ways, and he has a conviction to do what’s right that Ashton reinforces even when Luke is scared.  That’s very much a brotherly dynamic that they have going on, almost more so in this fic than in other ones I’ve written, even if we don’t get to see it here.  Calum, on the other hand, is Ashton’s quiet support and best friend.  They fuel each other creatively in different ways, and being from two different creative worlds really helps them get to know each other outside of the reputations from their fields.  Both Luke and Calum also warm up pretty quickly to Michael.  While it might have seemed like Calum blew Michael off in chapter 4 when he doesn’t invite him to dinner, that’s because Calum still wasn’t sure where Ashton’s head was at in regards to Michael and his priority was getting Ashton comfortable and feeling safe so they could figure out what was wrong and fix it.  When Michael wasn’t replying to texts in the groupchat in chapter 5, Calum was one of the first to notice and texted Luke about it right away so they could plan in case Michael didn’t show up.  While their dynamic with Michael is newer than their friendships with Ashton, both of them want to get to know him outside of the context of the fake dating.

In a very early idea for the fic, Ryan Flemming was supposed to be doing a mini documentary series for the ballet to put on their youtube for promotion, but that would’ve been too much to juggle so I let it go very quickly.  Not only would i have to figure out how to write Ryan, but it would’ve been too much to also have Michael and Ashton acting for the camera, especially when this fic honestly became much less about the fake dating and much more about Ashton and Michael overcoming their own demons to create a successful show.

All of the people mentioned in the fic, with the exception of Brian McTier, are real people connected to 5sos in some way that I threw in there.  Roy gets to dance Coffee with Little Luna, since they’re friends in real life.  Marzipan is danced by the members of Hinds.  Sarah and Andy are, of course, the photographers, and Matt Pauling is the physical therapist in residence at the ballet company!

In an ideal world, this fic would’ve naturally allowed me to expand on the friendships and general group dynamics more, but then we probably wouldn’t have had Michael’s ongoing loneliness that he had to let go of and it wouldn’t have been such a sweet surprise when his friends showed up at his door with noodles to watch csi: miami, so you win some and lose some I suppose!

Hazel/Minnesota Easter Eggs

Throughout this fic, I peppered in a lot of little hidden joys for myself.  Some of them are general to Minnesota, but some of them are specific to me.  Here’s a list!

the Minneapolis Institute of Art does, in fact, exist as I have described it.  Hotei Within His Sack is my favorite art piece there, and it’s absolutely delightful to see people walk through the Japan exhibit, glance at him, then do a double take and stop to take delight in him.  The museum itself is precious to me because I worked nearby, and when I was first figuring out how to use the public bus I took myself to an outing there to see a visiting van gogh exhibit.

Electric Fetus also exists!  I have sadly never been there, but it’s true that Prince used to shop there.  While there isn’t a Prince shrine in the window now as described, there was one over the summer.  I would pass by it every time my brother drove me to work.

The Yellow Goat is not a cafe in Minneapolis, but instead the name of a used bookstore that used to exist in my town.  It has since gone out of business, unfortunately.

Shayla is actually my favorite local newscaster!  She does the early morning and the noon show on WCCO, the local station under CBS.

People do tend to talk about Prince a lot in Minnesota.  When there was a debate over renaming a block of First Avenue outside of the venue First Avenue to Prince Rodgers Nelson Way, I did genuinely hear about it on the news 4 times in one day.  First Avenue (the venue) is an independently owned venue that was featured in Purple Rain, and Prince’s star on the outside is the only one painted gold rather than silver.  It is my favorite venue, even though I’m not a huge Prince fan.  Prince’s Paisley Park is located in Chanhassen, the same city where Amy Adams worked as an actress at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater before she moved to LA.

Every celebrity listed throughout the fic who lived in Minnesota did, in fact, live in Minnesota.  We have over 100 large statues of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and Snoopy with his doghouse all over the Twin Cities metro area in tribute to Charles Schultz.  My hometown has three: Charlie Brown at my old elementary school, Linus at the other elementary school, and Lucy outside of the public library

Minneapolis Ballet is the only completely fictional ballet company mentioned in the fic.  All of the others exist, although I have no connection with them and made up other details.  Twin Cities Ballet does have a ballet set to Pink Floyd music, though.  That was true.

The Delwo Performance Center is named after my childhood ballet teacher :)

Brian McTier, mentioned as the Minneapolis Ballet technical director in chapter 5, was the name of my high school theater’s tech director.  He lives two blocks away from me.

Fran’s Bakery, who catered the performance concessions, was the name of my grandapa’s bakery.

The Minnesota State Fair is the 2nd largest state fair in America, beaten only by Texas, which has a population almost 6 times the size but a state fair attendance only 1.2 times the size.  It did make the list of Newsweek’s 10 Best (Late) Summer Festivals in the World and was the only festival from the United States to make the list.

Michael’s constant watching of procedurals comes directly from me.  I get a tv station that shows a marathon of NCIS on Sundays and a few other oens that feel like they’re constantly showing CSI: Miami.  I personally would really like to see Luke try to mimic Horatio Caine.

Dances at a Gathering is my favorite ballet :) I actually don’t know much about ballet for someone who has written a whole fic about it.  I hadn’t seen the Nutcracker in person until this year (December 12, so after I had started posting this fic), and my dance studio was very casual.  However, in my research for this fic, I watched some videos and have come to the conclusion that Dances at a Gathering is my favorite ballet.  Swan Lake is my second favorite simply because the music SLAPS.  I do not care for Theme and Variations at all.

Misc:

Michael carries his loneliness in his stomach

He carries his nervousness in his fingers, and fidgeting with the cuffs of his hoodies/sweatshirts/sleeves in general is his biggest nervous tell.

I’m not sure if this was clear, but the weekly friend dinners started with that first one that Michael was at.  Ashton’s friend group would do dinners every once in a while together, but it’s not until Michael and the fake dating arrangement that it became an official weekly occurrence.

At some point in the process I figured out that I wanted Ashton lifting Michael onto the counter while they were kissing, which meant I had to put that little bit about him being able to lift Michael while doing the production photos in chapter 3.  ballet dancers are super strong, but I wanted to ensure that Ashton especially had been pre-established as such.

Ashton and Michael both genuinely liked each other pretty early on.  Michael was attracted to him from the beginning, and was pretty aware that he was falling for him the whole time, although the moment after the date at the end of chapter 3 is when it really sinks in that he’s past the point of no return.  Ashton was also aware, but he was willfully ignoring the voice in the back of his head suggesting that this was a bad idea.

Feldy was also pretty aware of what was going on between Michael and Ashton, but he was hanging on to his professionalism by not getting involved in their personal love lives.

The ages of the boys and Ashton’s black hair was fully determined by this picture of him, which is my favorite pic of him in existence.  When I first conceived of the nutcracker au, back in 2021 before I even knew it would be a fake dating fic, I knew that Ashton would have black hair for it.

If you’ve read this far, I hope something about this was interesting!  I know that there were things that I left out, either because I’ve forgotten or because I simply did not think about it right now.  Nonetheless, I hope that this gave you some sort of positive insight into this fic and it’s journey, and I hope you enjoyed :)

#personal #my writing #pas de deux #wow this got super long and i honestly feel like i'm forgetting A Lot #director's cut

[holly-days]

Artists of The Royal Ballet in The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet ©2021 ROH. Photograph by Foteini Christofilopoulou by Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Via Flickr: Artists of The Royal Ballet in Peter Wright's The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet Season 2021/22. www.roh.org.uk/productions/the-nutcracker-by-peter-wright

#PRODUCTION #PRODUCTION PHOTO #The Nutcracker #Ballet #Royal Ballet #ROYAL OPERA HOUSE #THE ROYAL BALLET #By Peter Wright #Isabella Gasparini #flickr #Photography

[dance-world]

Samaël Maurice - photo by Damian Siqueiros

Samaël Maurice started his Ballet training at the age of 9 at École supérieure de ballet du Québec. He participated in the Nutcracker productions of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal for many years and in 2013 and 2014, he performed the role of Fritz. In 2018 at 15 years old, Samaël joined the famous Ellison Ballet school in New York City under the direction of Edward Ellison. Samaël was coached by Edward Ellison and Bat Udval.

In 2021 Samaël was a candidate at Prix de Lausanne that gave him the opportunity to be part of the Janet Parker Junior Company with the Queensland Ballet In Australia, where he danced for the 2022 season.

#samaël maurice #damian siqueiros #dance #ballet #dancer #danseur #ballerino #bailarín #boys of ballet #ballet men

[ivanandrainfall45]

I posted 1,038 times in 2022

That's 423 more posts than 2021!

59 posts created (6%)

979 posts reblogged (94%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@amamozarte

@theevilemster

@taffybuns

@rainbowdoggieunicorn

@beautifulunknowntrash

I tagged 340 of my posts in 2022

#not my art - 179 posts

#nutcracker - 134 posts

#the nutcracker - 130 posts

#art - 121 posts

#digital art - 67 posts

#nutcracker oc - 64 posts

#ivan - 51 posts

#lupin iii - 49 posts

#the nutcracker curse in toyland - 38 posts

#nutcracker season 2022 - 36 posts

Longest Tag: 105 characters

#i'm gonna be doing them some after an other but ivan and sam are still my ogs just their story is a mess-

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Day 3 Swap roles

Soooo I'm late- I had art block for the second one sadly- cause I also kept getting upset of how it looked anyway!

Here we have Now! Nutcracker Mary and Human Ivan as they look at one another in the mirror of being the swap roles~ The list of Nutcracker season belongs to @artsynoova/@noovamulticolors

again thank u for making the list! It's the best UwU

20 notes - Posted November 15, 2022

#4

Nutcracker Season! Day 5 On Ice!

FINALLY I GOT ONE ON THE RIGHT DAY!!! Anyway! Two bois this time! didn't want to burn myself out-

We have the beautiful Ballet dancer and ice skater himself Auran!! from @inkabelledesigns

And the baby deer Boi Nerd Ben!! He's trying alright give him hope -w- for @artsynoova/@noovamulticolors

and the list was made by her~

Don't worry about Ivan he's okay-

maybe...?

21 notes - Posted November 18, 2022

#3

Nutcracker month 2022 Day one! Nutcracker meets other nutcrackers!!

For the nutcrackers in the drawing are! Ben for @artsynoova and @noovamulticolors

Rainer for @theevilemster

Alessia for @themisfitnutcrackers

and lastly Nathan for @ghostlyhybrid

Enjoy!! So sorry I am L A T E my brain said "f u" and made me sleep before I could add the lighting-

21 notes - Posted November 11, 2022

#2

Hello Everyone on here! Today’!

🎉🎊Is MY FIRST NUTCRACKER BOI’S BIRTHDAY!!! WOOOOOOOO!!🎉🎊

I hope everyone has a good day and happy birthday to ma boi Ivan! Cheers to that!

See the full post

22 notes - Posted January 5, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Nutcracker Month day 4 Nice day in snow

Welp! Here we go Late again but anyway!! enjoy it! Here we have Ivan fighting off our good other gremlin Walnuss from @yuramec

Next baby boi Riddley trying to stop the fight X3 from @djanjie

Nathan boi is next UwU from our good animator @ghostlyhybrid

Zero cheering Ivan on is from @themisfitnutcrackers

Ben just trying to enjoy his snowman is for @artsynoova/@noovamulticolors

Enjoy ma lovely friends~

35 notes - Posted November 17, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review

[brookston]

Holidays 12.18

Holidays

Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day

Arabic Language Day (UN)

Australian Christmas (Team Fortress)

Baranth Do (Elder Scrolls)

Final Fantasy Anniversary Day

Flake Appreciation Day

Founder’s Day (Qatar)

Hug a Soccer Player Day

International Migrants Day (UN)

Minifig Day

National Crime Junkie Day

National Deborah Day

National Harry Day

National Jeremy Day

National Scrooge Week begins (according to Mr. Ed)

National Twin Day

Nutcracker Day

Nyempa Guzom (Sikkim, India)

Pink Panther Day

Play Bingo Day

Republic Day (Niger)

Sunday Newspaper Day

Truffle Day (French Republic)

Tulya’s E’en (Beginning of Yule Season; Orkney Island)

Voice From Space Day

Wear a Plunger On Your Head Day

World Minorities Rights Day (India)

Yuletide Lad #7 arrives (Hurdaskellir or Door-Slammer; Iceland)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Bake Cookies Day

Let's See What We Find in the Fridge Day

National Ham Salad Day

National “I Love Honey” Day

National Muffin Day (Brazil)

National Roast Suckling Pig Day

National Stilton Day (UK)

3rd Monday in December

Christmas Lunch Gift Exchange Day [3rd Monday]

Design Wall Monday [3rd Monday]

Free Shipping Day [3rd Monday] (Also 12.14)

National Emo Day [3rd Monday]

Independence Days

New Jersey Statehood Day (#3; 1787)

Qatar (1878)

Feast Days

Eponalia (Feast of Epona; Roman goddess of fertility)

Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christian)

Fantastic Finkleman (Muppetism)

Feast of Our Lady of Expectation

Feast of Our Lady of Solitude (Mexico)

Flannán (Christian; Saint)

Gatianus (a.k.a. Gatian) of Tours (Christian; Saint)

O Adonai (2nd O Antiphon or Great Advent Antiphon; Christian) [2 of 7]

Paul Klee (Artology)

Priestley (Positivist; Saint)

Rufus and Zozimus (Christian; Martyrs)

Running of the Roboderos (Church of the SubGenius)

Saturnalia Day 2: Saturn’s Release (Pagan)

Sebastian (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Unusual Music Instruments Day (Pastafarian)

Urdhyauli Parwa (Festival of the Animals; Nepal)

Willem van de Velde II (Artology)

Winibald (a.k.a. Winebald; Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [37 of 37]

Premieres

Anchorrman 2: The Legend Continues (Film; 2013)

Another Round (Film; 2020)

Avatar (Film; 2009)

Baby Buggy Bunny (WB MM Cartoon; 1954)

The Ballad of the Green Berets, recorded by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler (Song; 1965)

*batteries not included (Film; 1987)

The Big Blast or A Many Splintered Thing (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 81; 1960)

Boris Lends a Hand or Count Your Fingers (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 188; 1962)

Boris on a Broomstick or The Flying Sorceror (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 187; 1962)

Born to Boogie (Music Documentary Film; 1972)

Brazil (Film; 1985)

The Bridge on the River Kwai (Film; 1957)

Broadcast News (Film; 1987)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Film; 1968)

Cinderella Liberty (Film; 1973)

The Color Purple (Film; 1985)

Doctor Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe (Play; 1592)

Dragons of Ashida (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #14; 1964)

From All of Us to All of You (Animated Disney TV Christmas Special; 1958)

Her (Film; 2013)

The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun (Film; 2015)

Last Train to Christmas (UK Film; 2021)

The Lion Sleeps Tonight, by The Tokens (Song; 1961)

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (TV Series; 2020)

Mary Poppins Returns (Film; 2018)

McCartney III, by Paul McCartney (Album; 2020)

Moonstruck (Film; 1987)

More Kittens (Disney Cartoon; 1936)

The Nutcracker, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Ballet; 1892)

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (US Film; 1969) [James Bond #6]

Out of Africa (Film; 1985)

Overboard (Film; 1987)

The Prince of Egypt (Animated Film; 1998)

Twistin’ the Night Away, by Sam Cooke (Song; 1961)

The Two Towers (Film; 2002) [The Lord of the Rings #2]

September in the Rain (WB MM Cartoon; 1937)

Sisters (Film; 2015)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Film; 2015) [Star Wars #7]

The Steal Hour or A Snitch in Time (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 82; 1960)

A Symposium on Popular Songs (Disney Cartoon; 1962)

The Yearling (Film; 1946)

You’ve Got Mail (Film; 1998)

Today’s Name Days

Philipp, Wunibald (Austria)

Bosiljko, Dražen, Gracijan, Malahija (Croatia)

Miloslav (Czech Republic)

Lovise (Denmark)

Neeme, Neemo (Estonia)

Aapo, Aappo, Rami (Finland)

Briac, Gatien (France)

Esperanza, Gratian, Luise (Germany)

Floros, Sebastianos (Greece)

Auguszta (Hungary)

Graziano (Italy)

Jordisa, Klinta, Kristaps, Sarmis (Latvia)

Eivilė, Girdvilas, Gracijus (Lithuania)

Kate, Kristoffer (Norway)

Bogusław, Gracjan, Gracjana, Laurencja, Wilibald, Wszemir (Poland)

Daniil (Romania)

Sláva (Slovakia)

Esperanza (Spain)

Abraham (Sweden)

Griffin, Griffith, Ruff, Rufina, Rufus, Russ, Russell, Rusti, Rusty, Ty, Tyrus (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 352 of 2024; 13 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 51 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 21 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Jia-Zi), Day 6 (Geng-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 6 Teveth 5784

Islamic: 5 Jumada II 1445

J Cal: 22 Zima; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 5 December 2023

Moon: 38%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 16 Bichat (13th Month) [Priestley]

Runic Half Month: Jara (Year) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 86 of 89)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 27 of 30)

#calendar #Holidays

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 12.18

Holidays

Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day

Arabic Language Day (UN)

Australian Christmas (Team Fortress)

Baranth Do (Elder Scrolls)

Final Fantasy Anniversary Day

Flake Appreciation Day

Founder’s Day (Qatar)

Hug a Soccer Player Day

International Migrants Day (UN)

Minifig Day

National Crime Junkie Day

National Deborah Day

National Harry Day

National Jeremy Day

National Scrooge Week begins (according to Mr. Ed)

National Twin Day

Nutcracker Day

Nyempa Guzom (Sikkim, India)

Pink Panther Day

Play Bingo Day

Republic Day (Niger)

Sunday Newspaper Day

Truffle Day (French Republic)

Tulya’s E’en (Beginning of Yule Season; Orkney Island)

Voice From Space Day

Wear a Plunger On Your Head Day

World Minorities Rights Day (India)

Yuletide Lad #7 arrives (Hurdaskellir or Door-Slammer; Iceland)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Bake Cookies Day

Let's See What We Find in the Fridge Day

National Ham Salad Day

National “I Love Honey” Day

National Muffin Day (Brazil)

National Roast Suckling Pig Day

National Stilton Day (UK)

3rd Monday in December

Christmas Lunch Gift Exchange Day [3rd Monday]

Design Wall Monday [3rd Monday]

Free Shipping Day [3rd Monday] (Also 12.14)

National Emo Day [3rd Monday]

Independence Days

New Jersey Statehood Day (#3; 1787)

Qatar (1878)

Feast Days

Eponalia (Feast of Epona; Roman goddess of fertility)

Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christian)

Fantastic Finkleman (Muppetism)

Feast of Our Lady of Expectation

Feast of Our Lady of Solitude (Mexico)

Flannán (Christian; Saint)

Gatianus (a.k.a. Gatian) of Tours (Christian; Saint)

O Adonai (2nd O Antiphon or Great Advent Antiphon; Christian) [2 of 7]

Paul Klee (Artology)

Priestley (Positivist; Saint)

Rufus and Zozimus (Christian; Martyrs)

Running of the Roboderos (Church of the SubGenius)

Saturnalia Day 2: Saturn’s Release (Pagan)

Sebastian (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Unusual Music Instruments Day (Pastafarian)

Urdhyauli Parwa (Festival of the Animals; Nepal)

Willem van de Velde II (Artology)

Winibald (a.k.a. Winebald; Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [37 of 37]

Premieres

Anchorrman 2: The Legend Continues (Film; 2013)

Another Round (Film; 2020)

Avatar (Film; 2009)

Baby Buggy Bunny (WB MM Cartoon; 1954)

The Ballad of the Green Berets, recorded by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler (Song; 1965)

*batteries not included (Film; 1987)

The Big Blast or A Many Splintered Thing (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 81; 1960)

Boris Lends a Hand or Count Your Fingers (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 188; 1962)

Boris on a Broomstick or The Flying Sorceror (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 187; 1962)

Born to Boogie (Music Documentary Film; 1972)

Brazil (Film; 1985)

The Bridge on the River Kwai (Film; 1957)

Broadcast News (Film; 1987)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Film; 1968)

Cinderella Liberty (Film; 1973)

The Color Purple (Film; 1985)

Doctor Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe (Play; 1592)

Dragons of Ashida (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #14; 1964)

From All of Us to All of You (Animated Disney TV Christmas Special; 1958)

Her (Film; 2013)

The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun (Film; 2015)

Last Train to Christmas (UK Film; 2021)

The Lion Sleeps Tonight, by The Tokens (Song; 1961)

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (TV Series; 2020)

Mary Poppins Returns (Film; 2018)

McCartney III, by Paul McCartney (Album; 2020)

Moonstruck (Film; 1987)

More Kittens (Disney Cartoon; 1936)

The Nutcracker, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Ballet; 1892)

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (US Film; 1969) [James Bond #6]

Out of Africa (Film; 1985)

Overboard (Film; 1987)

The Prince of Egypt (Animated Film; 1998)

Twistin’ the Night Away, by Sam Cooke (Song; 1961)

The Two Towers (Film; 2002) [The Lord of the Rings #2]

September in the Rain (WB MM Cartoon; 1937)

Sisters (Film; 2015)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Film; 2015) [Star Wars #7]

The Steal Hour or A Snitch in Time (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 82; 1960)

A Symposium on Popular Songs (Disney Cartoon; 1962)

The Yearling (Film; 1946)

You’ve Got Mail (Film; 1998)

Today’s Name Days

Philipp, Wunibald (Austria)

Bosiljko, Dražen, Gracijan, Malahija (Croatia)

Miloslav (Czech Republic)

Lovise (Denmark)

Neeme, Neemo (Estonia)

Aapo, Aappo, Rami (Finland)

Briac, Gatien (France)

Esperanza, Gratian, Luise (Germany)

Floros, Sebastianos (Greece)

Auguszta (Hungary)

Graziano (Italy)

Jordisa, Klinta, Kristaps, Sarmis (Latvia)

Eivilė, Girdvilas, Gracijus (Lithuania)

Kate, Kristoffer (Norway)

Bogusław, Gracjan, Gracjana, Laurencja, Wilibald, Wszemir (Poland)

Daniil (Romania)

Sláva (Slovakia)

Esperanza (Spain)

Abraham (Sweden)

Griffin, Griffith, Ruff, Rufina, Rufus, Russ, Russell, Rusti, Rusty, Ty, Tyrus (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 352 of 2024; 13 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 51 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 21 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Jia-Zi), Day 6 (Geng-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 6 Teveth 5784

Islamic: 5 Jumada II 1445

J Cal: 22 Zima; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 5 December 2023

Moon: 38%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 16 Bichat (13th Month) [Priestley]

Runic Half Month: Jara (Year) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 86 of 89)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 27 of 30)

#Holidays