Smuin’s 2025 Christmas Ballet LGBTQ+ Night

Photos and Story by Jerome Parmer

The 2025 Smuin Christmas Ballet LGBTQ+ Night was a fun-filled holiday spectacular. Though the weather outside (was not) frightful, the performance inside was indeed delightful. The enduring popularity of Smuin’s Christmas Ballet is evidenced by a nearly 30-year run, and this latest performance was reason to look forward to the version for 2026.

The program showcased newer works by Dance Director Julia Adam, Artistic Director Amy Seiwert, and San Francisco Ballet Soloist Myles Thatcher. The multi-talented Lady Camden hosted again, and also wowed us with her dance moves during the production. The event was a successful fundraiser for several important partner organizations including Project Open Hand, The Imperial Council of San Francisco, the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, and Oasis Arts.

The first half of the program included a variety of pieces showcasing the company and their choreography, all set to classic music. The performances were enthralling, with the applause growing as the evening progressed. So many moments on the stage were powerful displays of grace and beauty. The individual pieces were compelling; “Fantasia,” “Veni Veni Emmanuel,” “We Three Kings,” and “The Gloucestershire Wassail” were personal favorites.

The second act was lighter and liberal with fun holiday themes. “Christmas in New Orleans” was entrancing, a production in red set to a classic track by Louis Armstrong. Laughter liberally accentuated the applause, which was heard frequently during other numbers as well. “Santa Baby” featured a certain Lady C who heaped disdain on the gifts proffered by her suitors. The tropical themed “Christmas Island” had everyone roaring as a shark sporting a rainbow Santa hat on the dorsal fin pursued a hapless swimmer across the stage. Dialing it up another notch on the dancing, the ferocity of Tessa Barbour’s “Bells of Dublin” step performance was a great addition to the program.

The “White Christmas” finale included falling indoor snow, with at least one wise audience member being well prepared—they put up an umbrella beforehand. The winter micro-cloudburst had moved from the stage to the center orchestra section! At the close, a great majority of the audience showed their appreciation by standing while applauding and cheering. During the ovation, the joy of performing was clearly visible on the beaming faces of the entire company.

After the show, enthusiastic attendees made their way over to the adjacent Galleries building for the after party. The extra room afforded there was needed as ticket sales had been brisk. DJ Juanita MORE! had the tunes pumping as folks entered. There was a photo booth that saw more action after folks retrieved their libations from the bar area. The selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres was enjoyable and the queues for all were quite reasonable. 

Our host Lady Camden got the party started with festive greetings and a champagne toast. She was followed by Terrill Grimes and Emperor Ashlee Blow, who talked about the good work and importance of supporting the evening’s partner organizations. Then we were treated to a splendid entrance and performance by Afrika America. More dancing, music, and celebration followed on a wonderful warm holiday evening.

Don’t miss it next season!

Jerome Parmer is an Oakland-based photographer who has photographed political, LGBTQ+, music, and other events in the Bay Area. Follow his current work on IG @drj_oakland

Arts & Entertainment
Published on January 15, 2026