The holiday dance season opens Friday with the strike of a match, as Gainesville Ballet Theater 
presents its original full-length ballet, “The Little Match Girl.”

Performances are 8 pm Friday and 2:30 pm Saturday at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is $14-$18 on Friday, with Saturday’s admission reduced to $13 for adults and $6 for children, who will also be admitted free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy.