Clip of the week - Ice Theatre of New York performs Olé Manolete

Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY) was founded in 1984 by Canadian ice dancer Moira North and is dedicated to developing ice skating as a theatrical art form through performances and educational programs. Each year at Rockefeller Rink, they put together a Lunchtime Ice Concert Series where they showcase new works to the public. They also provide skating clinics for public school students as part of their educational outreach programs.

Recently, I attended their first concert for 2008 at Rockefeller Rink and as usual, the pieces were great to watch. I always come away with a different appreciation of skating as an art form after an ITNY performance.

The piece was called Mi Andalucia, a three-part work that joins elements of Andalusian dance, flamenco and bull fighting. The choreography is by acclaimed ballroom dance choreographer Peter diFalco. This is the third and final element, Olé Manolete, which expresses a bullfighter's intense fears, and is performed by Elisa Angeli and Jiri Prochazka. This piece was commissioned by ITNY and the Gertrude Vanderbilt Endowment. Love the brilliant colors of the cape. Where else, but in NYC, can you be walking in midtown Manhattan, and come across a free skating show, complete with cape?

ITNY's next (and final) performance at Rockefeller Rink for the Lunchtime Ice Concert Series is at 1 p.m. on April 2, 2008, so if you're around the area, come on by!

Comments

[Maria]

This is by far my favorite Ice Theatre performance you've posted. Love the music too.