Figure Skating in Harlem: Fire on Ice

Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) is a unique program in New York City which combines on-ice training as well as off-ice mentoring and academic coaching for girls in the Harlem community. (Click here for Figure Skating in Harlem: Much more than skating, video story and article on how the program works.) On Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6, FSH held their 11th annual ice recital at Riverbank State Park Skating Rink in upper Manhattan. Each year a different theme is chosen and for 2008, the show centered around Latin music, culture and heritage. Aptly entitled Fire on Ice, the girls skated to music by Celia Cruz, Los Lobos, Elvis Crespo, Mark Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and many other notable Latin artists.

Actress Tamara Tunie from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit served as emcee for both shows and did a fantastic job. Tamara has been an FSH board member since it's inception 11 years ago. She was funny, provided running commentary during the programs, encouraged the girls while they skated, and I hope she will continue as the emcee for the 2009 show. Also in attendance were Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and NYC Councilmember Robert Jackson, who each pledged $1,000,000 and $500,000, respectively, in support for the enclosure of Riverbank's ice rink to transform it into a year-round facility, so that the program could continue 365 days-a-year.

In all, Fire on Ice had 11 group numbers, five solo numbers, and a finale which had over 100 girls skating to Ricky Martin's Cup of Life. Special recognitions were given to Brenda Lovie of Lovie Couture, who designed and donated all the fabulous costumes in the show, the FSH parent volunteers, the Disney VoluntEARS, and the entire staff of Riverbank State Park.

What will the theme be for the 2008-2009 season? Sharon Cohen, Founder and Executive Director of FSH, told me after the show that ideas are discussed throughout the season, but that the theme ultimately chosen will always resonate with the girls so that they are excited about putting their programs together. Can't wait to find out!      

FIRE ON ICE GROUP NUMBERS:

• Ta Haciendo Frio by Pochy Familia y Su Coco Band (click here to view program)
  Instructor: Rhena Wallace
  Performed by: Patience Allen, Ashley Davila, Adore Ellis, Jamilah Grace, Sewenet Haile, Elija Hall,  JoyAnne Joseph, Mia Mitchner, Taliyah Muhammad, Jordane Thomas, Thalyia Thompson

• La Bamba by Los Lobos (click here to view program)
  Instructors: Sonja Gullen and Brett Adamek
  Performed by: Semefa Agboku, Gabriela Alleyne, Kyana Berrios, Tyira Bunche, Amber Bynum, Leiasha Caliman, Niasha Caliman, Myasia Mack, Angel Moret, Genesis Mullen, Amali Savell, Glasmill Sierra, Sedina Simmons, Brittany Wiltshire, Brittney Zapata

• Ojala que Llueva Cafe by Cafe Tacuba (click here to view program)
  Instructor: Suzanne Spiegoski
  Performed by: Kiyan Alexander, Tanay Davis, Aniya Edwards, Maya Evans, Amori Leary, Jewel Lee, Maasai Newport-Davson, Amina Potts, Zenzile Tonge

• Suavemente by Elvis Crespo (click here to view program)
  Instructors: Stephanie Freundel, Allison McKeown, Katherine Shuman
  Performed by: Zaiane Alawode, Trenee Barr, Autumn Bynum, Kaiyana Cervera, Yasmin Harden, Sharon Jia, Kiashaye Leonard, Ashe Nervil, Cheyenne Pommelle, Nikaila Saunders, Keziah Speller, Christina Taylor, Nakayla Taylor, Octavia Taylor, Tatiana Williams

• Conga by Miami Sound Machine with Gloria Estefan (click here to view program)
  Instructor: Margaret Thering
  Performed by: Mary Brown, Daria Forde, Kyla Henry, Vivica Henry, Jeannine Joseph, Oshinofa Lakoju, Tatianna Murphy, Kayla Williams, Amber Wright

• Rie y Llora by Celia Cruz (click here to view program)
  Instructors: Amy Beier and Angela Chiang
  Performed by: Whisper Allen, Paula Assou, Maziel Baez, Jalisa Davila, Caitlyn Evans, Angelique Grier, Ashley Melendez, Ashley Samuels, StarAsia Smith, Sandra Williams

• Dimelo (I Need to Know) by Marc Anthony (click here to view program)
  Instructor: Alison Blank
  Performed by: Kaitlin Abreu, Faith Culpepper, Nyasha Franklin, Sydni Ganaway, Kyhla Howard, Ryan Rivera, Amarna Williams, Tiya Willams

• Jenny from the Block by Jennifer Lopez (click here to view program)
  Instructor: Amanda Johnson
  Performed by: Chelsea Alston, Dominique Crosby, Bria Culpepper, Aleah Smith-Johnson, Kayla Stewart, Ebony Taylor, Camille Thomas, Brittany Wilson

• Ojos Asi by Shakira (click here to view program)
  Instructor: Sonja Gullen
  Performed by: Jiordan Ali, Makara Bey, Crystal Burgess, Bria Clark, Meiling Jabbaar, Scarlett Jimenez, Sharendalle Murga, Florence Ngala, Antaeus Turns-Ashcraft, Nya Weeks

• Habanera from opera Carmen by Georges Bizet (click here to view program)
  Instructor: Amy Luebke
  Performed by: Kolby Couch, Ky-ana McKay, Eliyah McKayle, Tyra McKnight, Taharie Murga, Wenday Ngala, Zjana Ray, Elina Stella, Crystal Washington

• Gipsy by Jesse Cook (click here to view program)
  Instructors: Amy Luebke, Sara Syms
  Performed by: Figure Skating in Harlem Synchronized Skating Team of Jiordan Ali, Chelsea Alston, Bria Clark, Nyasha Franklin, Meiling Jabbaar, Britni Lindsay, Eliyah McKayle, Tyra McNight, Sharendalle Murga, Kayla Stewart, Ebony Taylor, Camille Thomas, Nya Weeks, Brittany Wilson

• Finale with all girls of FSH: Cup of Life by Ricky Martin

FIRE ON ICE SOLO NUMBERS:

• Spanish Fire Tango by Tony Evans and His Orchestra (click here to view program)
  Performed by: Zjana Ray

• Maria Maria by Carlos Santana (click here to view program)
  Performed by: Brittany Wilson

• Curse of the Black Pearl (from Pirates of the Caribbean) by Klaus Badelt (click here to view program)
  Performed by: Florence Ngala

• Ven Conmigo by Christina Aguilera (click here to view program)
  Performed by: Sharendalle Murga

• Yo Te Quiero un Paqueton by Danny Punto Rojo (click here to view program)
  Performed by: Antaeus Turns-Ashcraft

Comments

[Lela]

WOW - what a fantastic program! Great job Susan!

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[parent]

This is a Old PIc
The program has gone DOWN
its more of a money SCAM on the parents
NO ed. Classes
2 one hour skating classes a week

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[Parents]

2009
This program started off good but overtime yield to the drawn of money. They get Millions in grants and fund raising. And does little or nothing for the girls, all of their products are donated to them (Skates, uniforms, Costumes.)
Still parents pay up to $350. In Tuition (2008) some get a small piece of financial aid. Than in DEC. you have MANDATORY FUND RAISING where if you don’t sell party tickets and raffle books you have to pay for them yourself. This for the poor little girls of Harlem. 2008-2009 there were 125 girls you do the math
They say that at there April skating with the stars party they make over a quarter of a million dollars (please check Entrepreneur.Com) they cry broke we need money but yet Jan.1, 2009 rung the bell on the stock exchange and told of how they are moving I to a new 5000 feet office on 125th street.

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