Winchester Jazz Collective: The Nutcracker

VIP EARLY ENTRY at 5:30PM

GENERAL ADMISSION DOORS at 6PM

SHOW at 7PM

GENERAL ADMISSION: $25 + admission tax & processing fee

VIP EARLY ENTRY : $30 + admission tax & processing fee

DOOR: $30 + admission tax

VIP EARLY ENTRY TICKETS allow entrance into the venue half an hour before doors open to the public, allowing you to choose your own seat and order food and drinks.

Advance ticket sales end at 5PM the day of the show. If tickets are not sold out by this time they will be available for purchase when the doors open.

ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL

This is an all-seated event in the main theater

GENERAL ADMISSION - arrive early for best choice of seating

This show is ALL AGES

FOOD & BEVERAGE available for purchase

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The Winchester Jazz Collective celebrates the music of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, John Kirby and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

This holiday season, the Winchester Jazz Collective brings Ellington’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite to life with a special performance at the Bright Box on Thursday December, 12 at 7:00PM. The show includes other holiday favorites and the music of Winchester’s own John Kirby.

In 1960, American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded The Nutcracker Suite for Columbia Records. The now beloved holiday album features jazz interpretations of the 1892 ballet "The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky, arranged by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.  In 1939, Ellington and Strayhorn formed a musical partnership that endured until Strayhorn’s passing in 1967. Ellington once described Strayhorn as: "my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brain waves in his head, and his in mine." This collaboration resulted in a catalog of some of the most significant American songs of the 20th century.

Winchester’s own John Kirby, jazz bassist and band leader, is also celebrated on this occasion. Kirby performed prominently with Benny Goodman and led his own sextet "John Kirby and His Onyx Club Boys" in the 30’s and 40’s . He had several hits, including Charlie Shaver’s Undecided” and his version of Loch Lomond.

About the Winchester Jazz Collective: Shenandoah University’s Director of Jazz & Commercial Music and Professor of Trombone Matthew Niess, created, produced and launched the Winchester Jazz Collective at the Barns of Rose Hill in December 2023. The group includes Professor of Jazz and Trumpet Craig Fraedrich, Professor of Jazz Saxophone Darryl Brenzel, Professor Emeritus of Jazz Piano Robert Larson, jazz professionals in the region, and prominent jazz students from the University. 

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Is there lodging nearby?

There are lots of great and affordable lodging options — from hotels and motels to camp grounds and bed & breakfast spots — just minutes away from Bright Box. Right around the block is the elegant George Washington Hotel, and Courtyard Marriott is quick drive and within a stones throw to the beautiful (and highly recommended) Shenandoah Valley Museum. Check out these websites to explore your options and discover all the wonderful opportunities in Winchester:

• http://www.visitwinchesterva.com/lodging/hotels-and-motels

• http://oldtownwinchesterva.com

Where do I park?

Bright Box is located at 15 N. Loudoun St. on the beautiful pedestrian mall in Old Town Winchester. The nearest parking is the Braddock Auto Park at 30 N Braddock St. This is about a block away from the venue. The parking garage does have several handicap parking spaces available.

Once you've parked in the garage you'll exit toward the pedestrian mall. Once you hit N. Loudoun you'll make a right and Bright Box will be on your right a few storefronts up, directly across from the Old Court House Civil War Museum

More information about the garage can be found here: https://www.winchesterva.gov/parking/garage-information

Is Bright Box handicap accessible?

Absolutely. The venue is handicap accessible and ADA compliant. The infrastructure in Old Town Winchester is friendly toward those with physical challenges or in wheelchairs. Park in one of the close-by parking garages and come to the main door at 15 N. Loudoun St. (the walking mall). We ask that you arrive when doors open, and we will be happy to escort you to a place best suited to your needs in the theater or to take you to the elevator to access the upstairs Out of the Box room.

Event Venue

Bright Box Theater, 15 N. Loudoun St., Winchester, United States