(WKBN) – The holidays are right around the corner.
Dancers from Canfield and Howland are performing in one of the holiday season’s most iconic shows.
Mahoning Valley natives Nicole Xides and Svetha Nallapaneni are back in the iconic kickline for their second season.
“I think it is just one of the most joyous shows in the world, in my opinion, and I think anyone who watches it–it’ll put a smile on their face,” says Rockette Svetha Nallapaneni.
“It truly is a sisterhood, and we’re just really excited to be a part of it,” added Rockette Nicole Xides.
“Being veteran Rockettes this year is putting a whole new perspective on the experience,” Nallapaneni said.
Xides and Nallapaneni grew up dancing together.
They’re now among the elite precision dancers performing in the Rockettes’ 100th anniversary year.
“I’ll be telling my grandkids about this–they’re gonna be like, ‘enough!’ I will be telling everyone,” Xides.
“A centennial–like–I still like can’t wrap my brain around it. 100 years is just remarkable and it is such a beautiful legacy to be a part of,” Nallapaneni said.
The Rockettes and their high kicks have been a holiday staple for a century.
“Every Rockette has done the parade of the wooden soldiers number, which we still have in our shows, so that is something that’s really cool that every single Rockette who’s ever come into this show has done that,” Nallapaneni said.
“It’s super cool to see how much it’s evolved, and we’ve kept the same tradition and precision that there’s always been, but I feel like every single year they find a way to just take it up a notch,” Xides added.
Both women say being a part of its history is special.
“Meeting the women who have been here before it kinda just gives you like, ‘oh I’m just a part of something so much bigger than just myself’ and it makes you proud,” Xides said.
“And always acknowledging our past and our rich history, and also looking to the future, and we’ll see what the next 100 years holds,” Nallapaneni added.
Xides and Nallapaneni are in opposite casts again this year–so no matter which show you see, someone from the Mahoning Valley will be on the stage.
The Christmas Spectacular runs through Jan. 5.
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