“Forever Christmas,” the annual variety show put on by Forever Dance, will bring the sounds and movements of the season — from the Nativity to the Grinch who stole Christmas — to the Kenai Central High School auditorium stage on Dec. 1 and 2.

Darcy Swanson, Forever Dance owner and director, said Thursday that the show has become a tradition for members of the community as part of ushering in the holiday season. It’s a showcase of every dancer in the company, from ages 3 to 18, across all of the genres they teach: ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, musical theater and acro.

Also getting onstage will be Forever Dance’s instructors, featured in different pieces and in their own performance of “Still, Still, Still.” Swanson credited them with bringing a passion for dance to the studio every day and inspiring the students to reach the heights that they’ll exhibit on stage.

“Forever Christmas” began years ago, Swanson said, because the company saw room for a Christmas-themed show on the central peninsula.

“Christmas lends itself well to dance, theater and performance,” she said.

To make the show happen each year, the company starts working on the routines in September.

Each “Forever Christmas” is a mix of returning favorites and innovative new experiences. Part of the fun, Swanson said, is seeing returning dancers move up into different parts of the company and take part in the traditions passed on from their older peers.

Swanson said that in “Forever Christmas,” the company is able to “showcase the breadth of genres” they teach and offer a similarly wide arrangement of the sounds of the season — all while showcasing community talent. They’ll feature a returning Nativity performance and “Hot Chocolate” from “Polar Express,” music from “The Nutcracker” and “cute little reindeer.”

“It’s such a wonderful time of year,” Swanson said.

“Forever Christmas” is, to Swanson, a celebration of local talent and an invitation to the community to celebrate the “magic of the holiday season.”

“Forever Christmas” will run Dec. 1 and 2. It starts at 6 p.m. on both days, with an additional 12:30 p.m. matinee show on Saturday. Tickets are $8, and can be purchased online via a link found either on Forever Dance’s Facebook page or at foreverdancealaska.com. Tickets are for specific seats, and are already selling fast, so Swanson encouraged purchasing ahead of time, though tickets will be available at the door. More information about Forever Dance and “Forever Christmas” can be found at Forever Dance on Facebook and Instagram.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

The “Hot Chocolate” dancers sit for a photo with the Grinch during “Forever Christmas 2022.” (Photo courtesy Forever Dance)

The full cast and staff of Forever Dance take final bows during “Forever Christmas 2022.” (Photo courtesy Forever Dance)