Ballet raises money for kids fighting cancer

The Agape Dance Academy will once again offer four performances of a beloved Christmas ballet to benefit kids who are battling cancer.
The academy dancers will perform The Nutcracker on Dec. 16-17 at the Henry J. Mellow Center for the Performing arts, 250 E. Beach Street in Watsonville, and attendees can give money to benefit Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Services.
Agape Dance Academy owner Melanie Useldinger began the tradition several years back as a way to bring people together to help children fighting cancer. The cause is especially important this year as one of the dancers is undergoing chemotherapy to suppress brain cancer.
Guest artist Kimberly Marie Oliver from the San Francisco Ballet will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 and at 1:30 & 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. Get more information at http://agapedance.com.