How many poor people would you send to The Nutcracker?

[Deleted]

Background: I love this ballet. I've seen it in Cincinnati. Chicago, Lincoln Center and in our current metro area, which just built a majestic Performing Arts Center a few years ago. Oh, yeah, I also saw a performance by the Canton, Ohio Civic Ballet which used recorded music and had women dancing some of the men's parts due to a lack of male dancers.   I've taken DS to it as a child and also a couple of years ago with DDIL, and when their daughter is a little older we'll do it again. I've taken a few multi-year breaks from it but it's still a bit magical to me.

Today I got a mailing from the Ballet Company; Big Brothers and Big Sisters wants to take a bunch of kids/families to the ballet.  I can help by donating $50 per ticket, tax-deductible.

I ran it by DH; I always want to get his read on things like this.  His first question:  "How much food would that buy?"  He's a very practical man and was raised in a food-insecure household, although they didn't call it that back then.  It's one of the reasons I wanted to get his input:  we support a women's shelter, we donate to a local food bank and to other places that address people in need.  Part of me says this is a frill.  I didn't see a real performance (with orchestra) till I was on my own in Cincinnati, and I bought the ticket. Part of me says that everybody needs a little magic, not just what they see on TV.

I'm probably going to donate $100.  WWYD? 

[milee]

I guess since my background is similar to your DH's, my initial response was also similar to his - make sure they've got food and safety first.   

But I'm glad there are all sorts of people who look at this in different ways and don't think it's wrong to give different types of gifts.

[Sharon]

Part of me says that everybody needs a little magic, not just what they see on TV.

Not only would the kids get to see the magic but they would also get to see a different lifestyle.  They would see people who dress up and go to these performances.

There was a young lady who was in band with my DD in high school.  She lived in the roughest part of town and had brothers that were involved in gangs.  The band got tickets to go see the symphony and she was assigned to my car.  She said that she liked to go to those things because it helped her to remember that there was a life beyond the gangs. 

[Deleted]

As many as you can without cutting into more practical donations. I love this idea. It is magical and a great memory for someone that wouldn't normally experience it.

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 19:11:23 GMT -5 @xmascookie said:

As many as you can without cutting into more practical donations. I love this idea. It is magical and a great memory for someone that wouldn't normally experience it.

Darn it, now you've got me tempted to check the "Family of 4" box!

[whoisjohngalt]

I am as practical as you get and I say "do it" if you can afford it.

The only caveat for me would be - I would have love to go WITH that family.  It is so awesome to see people enjoying something for the first time.  But that's probably not possible/practical, so I would just send whatever I could afford

[thyme4change]

My son swears he will grow up normal and happy even if he never, ever goes to the ballet.  

That said - I think there is so much value in all types of things, and if you feel passionate about something, giving kids the opportunity is a great idea.  

I have gone to the Nutcracker many times, but saw my first non-Nutcracker, full length, live ballet just a few weeks ago.  It was Swan Lake and it was amazing.  I'm not sure I could have appreciated the physical achievement when I was young - but boy did I this time around.  

[Deleted]

I'd probably do 2 or 4. I love the nutcracker. Well, the ballet in general is lovely.

[Deleted]

I told my son some day some girl would want him to take her to the ballet and he'd be like, oh ballet, Copelia's my favorite... And he'd thank me

[zibazinski]

$50 a ticket? Dang! Seems like the ballet could be a little charitable themselves. 

[Deleted]

some of the answers here sadden me.....why bother to give those less fortunate the ability to have fun for one night, just give them practical stuff.  it's the same thought pattern for schools - who needs music and art, just give them more math and reading. 

If you want to donate, give whatever your budget is.  I'm sure the charity has figured out the rest of the logistics....I doubt they'll show up naked and having been to the Kennedy Center, there's a wide variety of dress - including jeans and gowns.

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 20:24:28 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

$50 a ticket? Dang! Seems like the ballet could be a little charitable themselves. 

This.  I get a little annoyed that many fundraisers seem to profit the store, etc. that is "sponsoring" it.

When I worked at Macy's, we were encouraged to adopt a family, etc.  And then there would be a blurb about how money the store raised for the community.  That may be a bad example since we could use our store discount if we shopped at Macy's, but why was the store getting the press?  They gave NOTHING.  The generosity belonged strictly to the employees.

Ditto for the ballet you reference.  Why aren't the seats discounted so twice as many kids can go?  Yes, the ballet needs $$$, too, but they could still make money by selling a limited number of tickets at a discounted price to charitable donors.  Instead, it's a money maker for them, too.

Only once have I made this argument successfully.  Our preacher had five kids who went to the private school that our kids went to.  I knew there was no way that he could afford to buy five school jackets so I asked the fund-raiser person if I could anonymously buy five jackets at the fundraiser's cost to donate to his family.  They agreed.

That is what the ballet should be doing.  That is what Walmart's angel tree, etc. should be doing.  Sometimes when I drop a present into the box at the front of the store, I wonder if they don't simply put it back on the shelf.

[Deleted]

That actually makes sense too. We go to the youth ballet. Tickets are 22-45$ for regular performances, but school day performances are 7$ for kids, 15 for adults. It might make more sense to 'sponsor' a special performance... One that also wouldn't require special clothes, and with reduced rates.

Although we really don't dress up to go to the theater or ballet ourselves...

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 20:35:33 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Ditto for the ballet you reference.  Why aren't the seats discounted so twice as many kids can go?  Yes, the ballet needs $$$, too, but they could still make money by selling a limited number of tickets at a discounted price to charitable donors.  Instead, it's a money maker for them, too.
<snip>
That is what the ballet should be doing.  That is what Walmart's angel tree, etc. should be doing.  Sometimes when I drop a present into the box at the front of the store, I wonder if they don't simply put it back on the shelf.

Yeah, that occurred to me, too, but I figured DH and I don't donate to the arts and this is one way to help them. I do wonder what the beneficiaries are told; I'd be very annoyed if it's just, "the Ballet gave you a free ticket!". BTW, a brocade jacket I occasionally wear to such events still has a ticket in the pocket from the NYC Ballet version and they were charging $50 20 years ago.

And, while I'd love to be there to watch them, I've had the joy of taking DS the first time (skeptical going in, then asking if we could come back the next night), then his friend the next year (he'd taken dancing lessons so kept asking me, "How did they DO that?". The next year his friend's family (parents and little sister) went, too, at their expense, so I got to see another kid enjoy it for the first time. Soon my granddaughter will be ready for her first performance.

I'm not concerned about dress; there are plenty of little princesses dressed to the nines but there are also artsy types in jeans.

[Deleted]

It is so wonderful to introduce kids to new experiences

[Tiny]

I say donate for the tickets. Odds are where you live the hungry people do indeed have access to food (thru the generosity of others and or government programs) - maybe I'm a bit jaded cause I live in a big metropolitan area where only the most awfulest of circumstances causes someone to go without food for any length of time. Since that most basic of needs is pretty much taken care of, it would certainly be nice/good to give some experience above and beyond 'surviving' to a kid.

FWIW: I saw The Nutcracker as a kid - I think it was my first or second experience with a live production (if that wasn't it - it was a kid's version of Midsummers Night Dream ) I don't get ballet. At all. I didn't really 'like' the dancing - but I was enthralled by the theater architecture, the orchestra, the costumes, the way the lighting made magic on the stage... it was amazing. I liked that I got to go with a friend and her parents. The 'big city', all the people there, the 'getting dressed up' to go. Unforgettable and it did 'change my life'.

Since you say it's Big Brother/Big Sister - isn't that the purpose to get a kid (or young adult) away from their 'everyday'? I think that that is a wonderful priceless gift.

I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the Nutcracker as much as I did if I would have gone with my own parents. ::shudders:: a bit in retrospect imagining how that would have played out - and I had relatively normal parents.

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 20:35:33 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Nov 22, 2014 20:24:28 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

$50 a ticket? Dang! Seems like the ballet could be a little charitable themselves. 

This.  I get a little annoyed that many fundraisers seem to profit the store, etc. that is "sponsoring" it.

When I worked at Macy's, we were encouraged to adopt a family, etc.  And then there would be a blurb about how money the store raised for the community.  That may be a bad example since we could use our store discount if we shopped at Macy's, but why was the store getting the press?  They gave NOTHING.  The generosity belonged strictly to the employees.

Ditto for the ballet you reference.  Why aren't the seats discounted so twice as many kids can go?  Yes, the ballet needs $$$, too, but they could still make money by selling a limited number of tickets at a discounted price to charitable donors.  Instead, it's a money maker for them, too.

Only once have I made this argument successfully.  Our preacher had five kids who went to the private school that our kids went to.  I knew there was no way that he could afford to buy five school jackets so I asked the fund-raiser person if I could anonymously buy five jackets at the fundraiser's cost to donate to his family.  They agreed.

That is what the ballet should be doing.  That is what Walmart's angel tree, etc. should be doing.  Sometimes when I drop a present into the box at the front of the store, I wonder if they don't simply put it back on the shelf.

how do you know the ballet isn't already donating tickets to other groups?  the boys and girls club isn't the only game in town.

[sesfw]

I'm probably going to donate $100. WWYD?

When I get a mailed request for a donation and I feel so move to do so, I'll remove all identification, put $20 in the envelope and mail it back to them.

I hate getting on charity lists, and $20 will help them and not cause me a problem.

I think it's great to take kids to things like this.  Lets them know there are other things in life than electronics.

Beautiful magic they will remember for a lifetime.

[zibazinski]

You can also mark thru the address on the check so they can't sell your name to other charities. 

[msventoux]

It's entirely possible that the ballet is already donating in some way, either by discounting the ticket price or our local little theater has a number of summer camps that disadvantaged kids can go to for free where they get to participate in a production, see how things come together behind the scenes, and watch a performance at the end of the camp.

I would probably buy a couple of tickets.  Food and basics are of the utmost importance, but there's dozens of programs geared toward fulfilling basic needs.  There's precious little to provide exposure to fine arts and a different lifestyle than the kids are used to seeing. 

[Artemis Windsong]

Out here in the boonies, the movie theater brings in movies of these great performances at $25 per ticket.  A lot of peeps I know go to these.    It's not as good as a live performance but they still get to see it.  A lot more coverage for the money.

Big Brother and Big Sisters does not necessarily mean they are "poor" financially. 

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 21:49:35 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

Out here in the boonies, the movie theater brings in movies of these great performances at $25 per ticket.  A lot of peeps I know go to these.    It's not as good as a live performance but they still get to see it.  A lot more coverage for the money.

seeing a movie of The Nutcracker Ballet doesn't even come close to seeing a live performance.  Just seeing it isn't the point, seeing a live ballet is the point.

[Deleted]

For most giving i'm resigned to loss of anonymity because I want the tax deduction and the credit card cash bonus. If I want anonymity on larger ($500-1,000) I have a Fidelity Charitable Giving foundation that gives me an immediate deduction when I deposit $$ and will send checks anonymously if I want. I love that!

Tiny, I also loved your story. It really is the whole experience. I remember we had to go check out the highest balcony at Lincoln Center at intermission because DS' friend wanted to see it! Our local Performing Arts Center has floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby with views of the city skyline. Wow.

[Deleted]

Most have a matinee. The dress for those is pretty casual  around here. I doubt if anyone would feel out of place.

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 20:49:06 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

Nov 22, 2014 20:35:33 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

This.  I get a little annoyed that many fundraisers seem to profit the store, etc. that is "sponsoring" it.

When I worked at Macy's, we were encouraged to adopt a family, etc.  And then there would be a blurb about how money the store raised for the community.  That may be a bad example since we could use our store discount if we shopped at Macy's, but why was the store getting the press?  They gave NOTHING.  The generosity belonged strictly to the employees.

Ditto for the ballet you reference.  Why aren't the seats discounted so twice as many kids can go?  Yes, the ballet needs $$$, too, but they could still make money by selling a limited number of tickets at a discounted price to charitable donors.  Instead, it's a money maker for them, too.

Only once have I made this argument successfully.  Our preacher had five kids who went to the private school that our kids went to.  I knew there was no way that he could afford to buy five school jackets so I asked the fund-raiser person if I could anonymously buy five jackets at the fundraiser's cost to donate to his family.  They agreed.

That is what the ballet should be doing.  That is what Walmart's angel tree, etc. should be doing.  Sometimes when I drop a present into the box at the front of the store, I wonder if they don't simply put it back on the shelf.

how do you know the ballet isn't already donating tickets to other groups?  the boys and girls club isn't the only game in town.

I don't know.  But following your logic, why not this group?

Am I the only one who thinks she is Doxie?

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2014 22:02:02 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Nov 22, 2014 20:49:06 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

how do you know the ballet isn't already donating tickets to other groups?  the boys and girls club isn't the only game in town.

I don't know.  But following your logic, why not this group?

Am I the only one who thinks she is Doxie?

you think I'm Doxie?

[sapphire12]

I say donate for The Nutcracker. The exposure could be what triggers something to motivate the less fortunate to another lifestyle.
As an aside, I particularly like "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy".

[JustLurkin]

$50 is a bargain price (so the venue probably is making a donation). The last time I went to the Kennedy Center I was shocked not only by the number of people in jeans, but that people were allowed to enter late--I thought you had to wait until intermission, that was annoying.

I would probably give 2 tickets if I were moved, but that's based on my financial situation and donating habits.

I have fond memories of my mom taking me to "artsy" things and making of point of me going backstage to meet the crew.  It was mostly community theater, but she went out of her way to make sure my brother and I were exposed to a wide-range of things despite our financial situation.  Not everyone has the same opportunities.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

FWIW.....we have tickets to The Nutcracker in Seattle next month.  Tickets were $105 each.  I think that The Nutcracker put on by the local ballet company in town when we went last year were well over $50, so $50 could very well be a discounted ticket.

[Formerly SK]

Am I the only one who saw The Nutcracker and was bored out of my mind?  Yes it was live, yes it was a full production, yes I was thrilled with anticipation.  In the end - total boredom.  And I was 24.

I'm not saying don't donate to it, I just think it isn't going to be a slam dunk "magical experience" for whoever gets the free tickets.  Donate if you want to, but don't predict the experience to be bigger than it is.  When I was sitting through The Nutcracker, all I could think of was the money I had wasted to experience this "amazing" thing.

YMMV