The Nutcracker at Royce Hall

For my birthday earlier this year, my parents gifted a membership to Pasadena's Huntington Library. As we learned last month, part of the membership includes discounts at regional art events -- including a 2-for-1 promotion at the Los Angeles Ballet's production of The Nutcracker.

Neither one of us had actually seen the show; frankly, I was clueless as to the storyline completely.

Last night, in the third consecutive day of Southern California rain, we braved the brakes-locking-hydroplaning-accidents-galore drive on the 405 down to UCLA's Royce Hall (one of the first four buildings built at the university) -- where one of the productions was held.

The hall was completed in 1929, severely damaged in the 1994 earthquake, and restored in 1997 after a $70 million project -- and it shows, the ceiling and the 6,600-pipe pipe organ are amazing (you can see some of the pipes near the ceiling in some of the photos).

I wasn't allowed to take any photos of the production (Emma's more strict about this than the ushers are), which is unfortunate since our balcony seats in the middle were perfect for seeing everything.

After the show, we again headed back out into the all-to-rare Southern California rain, drove home successfully with all limbs and car parts intact, and tried the new Asian restaurant in town, Wokcano.

California rolls, crazy rolls (yellowtail, salmon, crab), beef lo mein, and crispy orange chicken -- all really good. Impressive really. And the same goes for the strawberry cheesecake we shared.

I don't think we'll end up making The Nutcraker an annual tradition, but it was a fun, festive time.