san francisco valley making magic for people with special needs. why the legendary company is putting on a nutcracker. >>> every december the san francisco ballet putsthe nutcracker. for the first time it will present a special version of the holiday classic that accommodates children and families with special needs. betty yu has a preview for us. >> reporter: for the first time in its nearly 90-year history, the san francisco ballet is preparing to debut their first ever sensory performance of the nutcracker. one long-time dancer that will be on this stage wednesday says this show takes on an extra special meaning for her. when the curtain lifts on wednesday, san francisco ballet dancers will dazzle the sold out crowd with the magic of the nutcracker. in the audience will be families with children of special needs. 20-year-old dancer pemberly olsen will perform the role of party parent in act one. >> for me when i watch this exact production of the kid to change my childhood and made me want to become a ballet dancer when i was younger. >> reporter: during the prepandemic sensory or autism workshop. she was especially touched by a young girl. pictu

san francisco and oakland, each getting about $7.5 million. then, san jose with more than 4.5 million. hayward getting the lowest total at just over $500,000. now, in about an hour and a half, the san francisco ballet will present a special spin on a holiday classic. betty explains how a new version of the nutcracker will accommodate children and families with special needs. >> reporter: when the curtain lifts, the san francisco ballet dancers will dazzle the sold-out crowd with the magic of the nutcracker. in the audience will be families with children with special needs. 20-year-old dancer, and olson will be a party parent in act i. >> when i watched this exact production as a kid, it changed my childhood. maybe you want to become a belly dancer when i was younger. >> she started training with the san francisco ballet at the age of six years old. during a pre-pandemic sensory or autism friendly workshop she was especially touched by a young girl, pictured here, who was not able to see people show at the opera house. >> i just remember having this girl attached hip to hip with me the whole entire day. she had that spark in her eyes. i can tell she wanted to come watch us. not just in the studio do

when the curtain lifts on wednesday, san francisco ballet dancers will dazzle the sold out crowd withic of the nutcracker. in the audience will be families with children of special needs. 20-year-old dancer pemberly olsen will perform the role of party parent in act one. >> for me when i watch this exact production of the kid to change my childhood and made me want to become a ballet dancer when i was younger. >> reporter: during the prepandemic sensory or autism workshop. she was especially touched by a young girl. pictured here, who wasn't able to see the full show ats the opera house. >> i remember having this girl attached hip to hip with me the entire day. she had that spark in her eye. i could tell she wanted to come watch us. not just in the studio doing a little small performance as a snowflake, but she wanted to see the entire show. >> reporter: the san francisco ballet and the autism society san francisco bay area began collaborating on workshops and relaxed stress rehearsals. cure rated for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, or physical, developmental disabilities s

about inclusion, making sure everybody has a place in our community , and every december, the san francisco ballet puts on their nutcracker program, and tonight it will reach a very wide audience. betty yu shows us more on how they accommodate children with special needs. >> when the curtain lifts, san francisco ballet dancers will dazzle the sold-out crowd with the magic of the nutcracker. in the audience will be families with children with special needs. dancer, kimberly, and olson, will perform an act one. >> when i watched this exact production as a kid it changed my childhood and maybe want to become a ballet dancer when i was younger. >> kimberly started training at the age of 6 during a pre-pandemic sensory or autism friendly workshop she was especially touched by a young girl, pictured here , who was not able to see the full show at the opera house. >> i just remember having this girl attached at the hip with me the entire day. she had that sparkle in her eyes, and i could tell she wanted to watch us, not just in the studio doing a small performance as a snowflake, but she wanted to see th

debut in san francisco back in 1944. now, the san francisco ballet is breaking barriers with the debut of the company's first black principal ballerina. >> reporter: lakisha focal has been waiting for this moment all year. >> it is always the moment before you go on stage, it's very special. i have a little mantra that i say before. >> reporter: it is opening night of the nutcracker and she is the sugarplum fairy. >> you have nerve system is used up on stage it's kind of like let's go now. it's a nice feeling. >> reporter: before the curtain opens up a war memorial opera house, her preparation begins here at her apartment. for a moment , she looks like any other twentysomething living in san francisco, only she makes her breakfast next to her point issues. >> it is a full-time job and a lot of aspects in the sense that the job doesn't really finish once you leave the office. >> reporter: everything from her makeup -- >> i normally match my shadow or the five of the make up with my costume which i love . >> reporter: to her clothes -- >> this one is r

this one by the san francisco ballet.y was first to debut the famous performance in the united states in 1944. and this year another san francisco first, the debut of the company's first black principal ballerina. in tonight's "weekend journal," elizabeth koch of sister station kpix shares her story. >> nakisha fogo has been waiting for this moment all year. >> it's special because i have a little mantra that i say before. >> reporter: it's opening night of "the nutcracker," and nakisha is the sugar plum fairy. >> as soon as you step on stage, it's a really nice feeling. >> reporter: but before the curtain opens, her preparation begins here at her apartment. and for a moment she looks like any other 20-something living in san francisco. only nakisha makes her breakfast next to her point shoes. >> the job doesn't really finish once you leave the office. >> reporter: everything from her makeup to her clothes. >> this one is really pretty. this feels like a sugar plum. >> reporter: it's all about getting into character as th

san jose dos ktvu, fox two news. thank you. the nutcracker is a classic ballet production that people enjoy seeing during the holidays and now the san franciscot ever sensory friendly performance of the show. and with us now to tell us more about it is sasha the solar. she is the sugar plum fairy in the san francisco's ballet nutcracker. tell us what it means to have a sensory friendly performance because this is a holiday tradition for a lot of people, but some aspects of it can be challenging for some kids . sure yeah, so spoiler alert in the first act, there's you. julia cannon. so that will be admitted firing of the cannon will be omitted. there's also relaxed audience etiquette. and the house will be kept dimly, dimly lit, so it won't be completely dark, so it will make it more comfortable for everyone so not dramatically different than what people would see a regular san francisco production of nutcracker, which is one of the premiere productions of the nutcracker in the country, one of the best, but it's just altered just enough to make kids feel a little more comfortable. that's correct. otherwise it's a completely normal performance

yep when the associate director of education at the san francisco ballet, thank you so much. ing us because this is such a unique event, and i love the idea behind it. because a lot of times these children don't get to go to ballet like this. what makes this so unique? that's a great question. um sensory friendly performances are unique because they really open the theater going experience in a way that creates an environment that is judgment free. that is safe to experience it and the way that individuals feel works best for their needs. um, it takes away startling moments so that they can really enjoy the performance. enjoy the characters learn about the story and experience it with their loved ones in a safe judgment free. yes, very shame free environment on their own terms, so we're really excited to have our doors open for nutcracker to audiences who previously might not have felt that this was an experience they can have with their family and folks are allowed to talk during the performance. they can. they can get up and walk around if they need to take a break. what oth

i was seen by some of the artistic staff of american ballet theatre and joffrey ballet and san francisco balletd was given scholarships to attend their training programs. but abt was always the goal. they were the one company of all the elite major ballet companies around the world that you don't really have to go through a scho in order to get in. they take dancers from different countries and cultures and, like, styles of training and schools. so my teacher, i think, being very forward-thinking and -looking, understood that, as a black girl and as a young black woman coming intorofessional company, that that would probably be the best fit, in terms of their diversity. >> was it? >> it was. i mean, hands down, i mean, they have -- have had throughout their history such a diverse lineup of dancers. you know, superstars from russia and spain and italy, and i meanjust everywhere. >> and yet you were the only black woman dancer. >> right. >> and for the first 10 years, that was the case. >> and everything shifted for me when i joined the company. i was aware, of course, that i was a black girl, bu

up here on the four today will introduce you to the only african american dancer with the san francisco ballet coming up on the five o'clock news at dangerous day at a popular san francisco park when an infant in just a dangerous opioid plus you know, misinformation has a direct link to deaths. very health officials are concerned this holiday season. covid cases are on the rise and twitter now as a new policy of not restricting covid misinformation on the platform, the details coming up tonight (vo) it's a fact! two out of three americans who qualify for medicare do not receive all the benefits they deserve. you could be missing out! now anthem blue cross introduces a free medicare plan checkup to make sure you receive all the benefits you qualify for in 2023. call 1-866-336-3448 today and receive extra benefits for a zero dollar monthly premium. benefits like dental, vision, hearing and prescription drugs! and to help you stay healthy at home, you can have free prescription drug delivery, online doctor visits twenty-four seven, and free exercise classes. you can even receive money towards ove

in a little bit over an hour, the san francisco ballet puts on a unique spin on a holiday classic. how the performance is designed to make families of all kind of feel right at home. >> i'm going >>> right now on cbs news bay area, bay area city has received millions of dollars from one of the world's largest drug companies. the new settlement over environmental pollution. >>> we are learning more about a big

she is talented, and she is the only african american dancer with the san francisco ballet 19 year old oakland native angela watson knew at an early age, he wanted to be a performer of some kind, so she chose ballet, watson realizes other young african american dancers may look up to her as a role model. and she says her young career has had its challenges. but she credits her support system for helping her move forward. i'm extremely lucky to have the support from my parents. and for my mom. she even on days were like oh, i'm the only one that looks like me like i'm all alone like i don't wanna go. she'd be like you're going. you're doing this for you. you show up. and to hear more from angela watson. just head over to our website, ktvu dot com forward slash talk of the town and listen to the full interview. another interesting stories about people who call oakland home i'm coming up the 49ers preparing to host the red hot eight and three miami dolphins here what head coach kyle shanahan had to say today as the niners look to keep their winning streak a lot big game on sunday there, b

then with the san francisco ballet, i recognize that music.t the commute cell and no, it wasn't raining when we were all coming into work. but how do the roads look now? well, you know, i thought of you, pam, because the richmond bridge is a bridge that you use right? and right now it's raining there, and i can show it to you here. you can see that there's some rain now. we don't have a lot of slow traffic there now and sometimes, you know, lately after the pandemic when it rains, some people can elect to stay home. but i've already seen a bunch of minor fender benders around the bay area bay bridge. not raining yet. here where the fender benders are. we have a crash. dortmund 60 88, dublin boulevard and eastbound 5 88 tassajara road eastbound 5 88 to 6 80 connection or and eastbound for very little charo. so i want to ask steve as we go to steve now. we had four crashes recently in livermore dublin area. is it raining there? or is that just a coincidence? there's not much sarah might be more wind, sal it really the ranges to the north now, ju

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. >> reporter: when the curtain lives on wednesday, the san francisco ballet dancers will dazzle thed with the magic of the nutcracker. in the audience will be families, with children with special needs. this dancer will perform the role of party parent in act i. >> when i watch this production , this changed my childhood . it made me want to be a ballet dancer. >> reporter: she started to train at the age of six. during a pre-pandemic sensory, or autism friendly workshop, she was touched by a young girl, pictured here, that was not able to see the full show at the opera house. >> remember having this girl attached to me the entire day. e e spark in her eyes. i could tell she wanted to come watch us. not just in the studio doing a small performance as a snowflake, but she wanted to see the entire show. >> reporter: the autism society began to collaborate on workshops and relaxed dress rehearsals, curated with people with sensory sensitivities, or physical or developmental disabilities since 2015. the following show on wednesday will not feature an explosion during the battle scene. o

as the principal dancer for the san francisco ballet, she knows her impact reaches far beyond the stage a lot of messages from people saying that i am helping them , or i am inspiring to em. it makes me really, really happy. i love that i can help people. at the same time, sometimes, it can be a bit of treasure . i want to good i want to do good, and i would be a good role model for others. this one can stay here, these ones are coming with me. >> reporter: she was born in sweden. her father is jamaican at her mother is white. both of them are dancers. it was clear early on that she had a gift. it has not always been easy. >> when i was younger, one of my teachers said to me that i would never be a professional ballerina because my hair was too frizzy. that is why i am happy that i can be someone that can inspire others to not believe nonsense like that. >> reporter: last january, she almost had to hang a point shoes for good after an injury nearly ended her career. >> the hardest with the injury, it was not just the injury, it is also the mental aspect of the injury , not talking down

. >> speaking of things to do indoors this weekend, including today, the san francisco ballets, theirsomething going on already. >> awesome. >> you are going this weekend, our producer? >> i will be there saturday. >> florida tickets are $25 to $45. last showing is sunday, if you are going to florida. >> $25 to get out of the cold? there are your plans for the weekend. >>> more details on the release from brittney griner. she's just reached the united states following a prisoner swap. >>> a federal bill -seriously? -why do you do it? -you ignore the signs and the flashing lights. -that's my dad. -that's my mom behind those cones. -how would you feel if that was your family? -flashing lights mean "move over." if you run a small business, you need the most from every investment. that's why comcast business gives you more. more innovation... with our new gig-speed wi-fi, plus unlimited data. more speed... from the largest, fastest, reliable network... and more savings- up to 60% a year on comcast business mobile. all from the company that powers more businesses than any other provider. g

she's talented, and she's the only african american dancer with the san francisco ballet 19 year oldhat she wanted to be a performer of some kind. and she chose ballet. watson says she realizes other young african american dancers may look up to her as a role model. she says her young career has had its challenges. but she credits her support system for helping her move forward. i'm extremely lucky to have the support for my parents, and for my mom, she even on days where, like oh, i'm the only one that looks like me like i'm all alone like i don't want to go. she'd be like you're going. you're doing this for you. you show up. well to hear more from angela watson go now to our website at ktvu .com. forward slash talk of the town and that's where you can listen to the full interview and other interesting interviews about people who call oakland home 49ers are getting ready for sunday's game against the dolphins, but quite a few of them were missing at practice today. big game christian mccaffrey was not there because of a knee issue, but there is still a chance that he will play on su

turning into a one of a kind show when you join us on the nine we'll take a first look at the san francisco balletscracker. and when you can go see it. google's the list of the most popular christmas cookie in every state just came out coming up. find out what the number one cookie is here in california, and it's not what you may think it is. and now please welcome ana montoya. ♪ hello there, fellow students... it stores across the country are now being recalled because of mis labeling problems. the department of agriculture says the recall affects more than £6000 of frozen, ready to eat crispy chicken with almonds. it was issued after a customer complained that they found shrimp in this chicken product. more information on the recall is available at the department of agriculture's website. survey about the future of the u. s economy shows americans are not optimistic about the upcoming new year survey was conducted by bankrate consumer financial services company found almost two thirds of those surveyed don't think their financials will get better next year. many blame inflation, which jumped almo

and the san francisco ballet is offering a very unique version today of the nutcracker.ly performance designed to create a welcoming experience for members of the audience who have autism or physical development disabilities. those visitors are allowed to walk around, they can talk during the performance, some of the loud sounds and startling moments, they will be modified. so we're looking at there's a battle scene with a mouse king and the nutcracker and act one and taking away that loud sound boom or the pyrotechnics special effects of the cannon that goes off. we're making some adjustments to, um, the russian dance when dancers jump out of the eggs, which is very startling. we're also doing things in the house, so we're going to keep the house lights on to create a safer space that allows audience members to come and go. they can go to the lobby for quiet area or a family viewing. area there's going to be a space in the back of the auditorium at multiple levels, where they can dance and move and dance along with the performance with their family. that sounds great. a

also a participate in san francisco arts and entertainment attending opening night of the san francisco opera. and the san francisco ballet. also a devotee of the lbgtq+ night life attending performance at otherwise, stud and charlie's. . rest in peace and power garza may your memory be a blessing. >> i'm also asking that we adjourn our meet nothing memory of carol lee. san francisco sex work activist and artist who passod november 16th after a battle with cancer. she was 71. lead a remarkable life a feminist and visionary claiming the term, sex worker described a women's place in the sex industry. the phrase took hole. the term represents the plouffement for healing protection and rep 7ation for sex workers. born in new york lee earned a bachelor in creative writhe newed stan fran in 1977 will she began work as a sex worker. she could not file a crime report her work mrilsd have been shut downful after she geoff began a move am comedy and theatre and ral and hes protests featuring a plunging bodice flipping red hair. she founded the sex worker phil and art's fest sxrl 2 book unrepentant whore publish in the 2004. inventi

i am a moving image -- i work at the san francisco ballet present. we're opening nutcracker tomorrow. the fact that i took time from that madness to be here tells what you it means to me. i'm not an official representative of the ballet. i can say as someone working in the performing arts and works for an organization that represents an ancient art form that is very did he doent upon presentation. upon specific aesthetic spaces and safety spaces, to best present it's art form i think that amongst my very personal and professional concerns with gutting the castro of it's seats is, what it says about the city. what it says we consider art and do not. we wouldn't have this similar conversation about the opera house hosting our opera and our ballet. we wouldn't have this conversation with the symphony. we pride ourself in our arts and history of the arts. the castro is tied into that. i would also add to, you know, bolster the voices of everything that has been said, an additional comment is the character of the neighborhood. planet entertainment is tryi

ballet troupes. we have a girls' choir. we have a boy's choir, and we have the san francisco symphony. concert. it's really exciting, and it's a beautiful way to kick off the holidays with you and your family and you guys still do the sing along at the very end. we absolutely do do the sing along and we have some very special guests doing panto performance from sleeping beauty and they're going to be joining us and you'll see lots of characters opportunity for all of you to sing along parents and children . big strong voices with the san francisco symphony. this is a great way for children to see how the music they already know is made. i looked at the program like my boys had no, maybe half of what you're about to play for us on sunday, but to actually see the musicians make it happen. it's a thrilling and in an educational experience. and that's the thing right. it's one thing to hear a beautiful music on a speaker. but when you come to this hall and you're in this environment, and you see the people making that c, the experience of live music is done for bed is unforgettable, and th

san francisco. and so they're helping out in all of our neighborhoods. like miss chan helped in our neighborhood near the ballethool. and they all are helping our neighborhoods to take care of things and make your schools safe and have -- so that you have a nice flies live. so they're important people in san francisco. you're here in a very important place. i'm glad you're here and thank you so much for bringing us here. [applause] one thing i forgot to say that in the audience, we have several alumni, some of my parents were my students too, correct? yes! some of them were. and i have miss olga who was the most wonderful pianist. that's why i asked if there was a piano. because miss olga -- [applause] can we bow to miss olga? everybody bow. they can bow. and it was such a pleasure to be here and introduce the children to the board of supervisors of san francisco. isn't that exciting! thank you so much. [applause] >> thank you supervisor chan, a congratulations miss tilly and thank you so much. thank you so much for describing the board of supervisors so pleasantly. [laughter] supervisor safai. >> thank you. i'