Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party fundraiser is Nov. 16

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will host its eighth biennial Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party, Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

This year’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party will feature two tea sittings (1 and 4 p.m.). Specialty teas and exquisite finger foods will be served. Additionally, the Land of the Sweets Gift Boutique, featuring holiday gifts and crafts, is available to the public from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for children and $18 for adults.  All children attending the tea party will receive a complimentary photo with their favorite character from the “Nutcracker” ballet. Tea attendees will enjoy the sounds of live cello by MCA’s music division instructor, Rachael Ryan Dahlgren, and a dance demonstration by the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea party is the first big event of the “Nutcracker” production season for MCA and its performing group, the Dance Repertory Company. The company will present the full-length ballet Dec. 3-7 at Saint Mary’s Page Theatre. This year’s cast totals more than 85 members, including students from Saint Mary’s, Winona State University, and children and community members from the Winona area. For tickets to the production, call 457-1715 or visit www.pagetheatre.org.

Proceeds from the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party go toward the MCA student scholarship fund and “Nutcracker” production costs.

To reserve seats or a full table of six for the tea, call 453-5500 or visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org. The Valéncia Arts Center is handicapped accessible.