On Monday, October 27, Ice Theatre of New York will hold it's annual benefit for it's education and outreach programming as well as for it's 2008-2009 performance season. Founded in 1984 by Canadian ice dancer Moira North (I know the irony, but if you knew Moira, she's such a New Yorker!), Ice Theatre is dedicated to developing ice skating as a theatrical art form. In addition to putting on fabulous shows throughout the season, the ensemble also gives free concerts at Rockefeller Rink and works with public school children to introduce them to the joys of skating, through it's New Works and Young Artists program.
For the 2008 gala, Ice Theatre will be honoring two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan (see right). Nancy has kept extremely busy both personally and professionally since winning the silver medal at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. (That was the Olympics where Tonya Harding, well, you know the rest.) Nancy's first Olympic medal was a bronze in 1992 in Albertville, Canada. In addition to raising her three children ages eleven, three and four months, Nancy does commentary on icenetwork, she has her own show on CN8 (Nancy Kerrigan's World of Skating), she guest stars in movies (Blades of Glory), she stars in reality shows (Skating with Celebrities), and she supports causes near and dear to her heart (her foundation helps the vision-impaired as her mother is legally blind). The emcee for the event will be none other than her good friend and fellow Olympian, Paul Wylie.
The festivities begin with performances by the Ice Theatre ensemble at Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers. Special recognition will be given to Joan Erdheim, who will receive the Volunteer Ice Angel Award. A cocktail reception and silent auction will follow, then dinner at The Lighthouse, a beautiful outdoor/indoor space next to Sky Rink. Last year, fashion icon and former skater Vera Wang, Olympic champion Scott Hamilton and other dignitaries were in attendance, so this year's event will be just as good, or even better than, before. I'll be there with my camera person in tow, and will be back with a great video story after the event!
For further information about the gala, you can contact the Ice Theatre office at (212) 929-5811 or via e-mail at itny[AT]icetheatre[DOT]org. Don't forget to replace [AT] with @ and [DOT] with .
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