Ballerinas depicting lions, turtles, chickens, elephants, and even some fossils take the stage at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 2, as the City Youth Ballet presents “Carnival of Animals,” a fanciful children’s ballet set to the music of Camille Saint-Saens and to the poetry of Ogden Nash. The performance will feature the CYB’s senior and junior ballet dancers in a carnival-like setting at the City Youth Ballet studios, 3501 W. Market Street, just west of the Wal-Mart and next to Modern Supply. General admission tickets are $5 each can be purchased at the door. For more information visit, www.cityyouthballet.org “Carnival of Animals” is part of the CYB’s Lollipop Series, petit ballets geared to children. In “Carnival Animals,” dancers wear elaborate costumes, dress as animals, and dance to the music of French composer Camille Saint-Saens. He composed the music in the early 20th century, and it has become the backdrop for one of America’s most popular ballets. In one piece, a dancer depicts a fossil, and in another piece a corps of dancers portray pianists. Most of the pieces seek to show the whimsical side of animals with chickens in a dash for food, elephants prancing, and even slow-moving turtles. Other pieces highlight the CYB’s strong classical ballet training as the older dancers portray birds and a climax piece entitled “The Dying Swan.” Ogden Nash’s poetry is woven into the performance to add not only humor, but also a visual effect. Choreography for “Carnival of Animals” is directed by Susan Pace-White, CYB’s artistic director. After the 45-minute performance, audience members will be invited on stage for a short ballet lesson. For more information, call 423-434-2195. The studio is handicapped accessible.