Ice Theatre of New York: Free ice show on April 6 at Rockefeller Skating Rink in NYC

ICE THEATRE OF NEW YORK'S FREE CONCERT PROFILES YOUNG, AWARD WINNING CHOREOGRAPHER

Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY), the nation’s premier ice dancing ensemble, presents the 25th edition of the City Skate Concert Series--free ice concerts around New York City. The final performance of the season features diverse and exciting repertory on the world’s most famous ice stage -- The Rink at Rockefeller Plaza. Guest artist and national competitor Tommy Steenberg, winner of the Young Artist Showcase, will debut his winning, ice dance choreography to the music of Le Sacre du Printemps. Ice Theatre will highlight some of its dance-on-ice repertory, including In a Nutshell, recently performed as part of Improv Everywhere's latest mission, which since gone viral on You Tube, reaching over a million hits! Additional pieces include La Revolte Des Enfants, choreographed by artistic director of the Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance Company, Alberto Del Saz, and Dare Greatly, a commission by the William Sears Fund and choreographed by Douglas Webster.

What: Ice Theatre of New York's City Skate Concert Series
Where: The Rink at Rockefeller Center
When: Wednesday, April 6 at 1p.m. (Raindate is the following day at 1 p.m.)
Admission: FREE!

For More information, visit www.icetheatre.org, or call (212) 929-5811.

ABOUT ICE THEATRE OF NEW YORK (ITNY)
Founded in 1984 by Moira North, Ice Theatre of New York has changed the face of figure skating by creating works that integrate the sensibilities of contemporary dance, music and art. In addition to building and performing works of artistic merit, ITNY also reaches out to the next generation of skaters and audiences through its exemplary education, community outreach and training programs. "Since its establishment in 1984, the Ice Theatre of New York has combined the best of ice skating, dance and theater to create cutting edge performances that represent the very best New York's creative community has to offer." - Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Below is a sampling of ITNY's free concert series from 2010:

And don't forget to check out ITNY's upcoming annual gala on Monday, October 24, 2011, honoring Johnny Weir! Last year the honoree was Dorothy Hamill and what a magical evening that was:

Yu-Na Kim sues former agency for $800,000

• Now that Worlds has moved to Moscow, it really should have been cancelled. [Chicago Tribune]

• Moscow to spend 200 million rubles (over $7 million) to host figure skating worlds. [Voice of Russia]

• France offers 2012 World Figure Skating Championships to Japan. [USA Today]

• Disaster in Japan hits close to home for coach/choreographer Marina Zoueva. [CBCSports]

• Skaters band together to raise money for Japan. [Skaters Care]

• Rachael Flatt has the best short program in the world. [Gazette]

• Tomas Verner doesn't understand why he shouldn't have performed in North Korea. {CBCSports]

• 30-year-young Fumie Suguri wants to shoot for 2014 Sochi Olympics. [icenetwork]

• Alissa Czisny is doing it on her own terms. [NYT]

• Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir and Meryl Davis and Charlie White (at right) skip tour engagements to continue training for Worlds. [Detroit Free Press]

• Nobunari "Butter Knees" Oda postpones wedding to compete at Worlds in Russia. [Mainichi Daily News]

• Yu-Na Kim sues her former agency for $800,000. [Universal Sports]

• Nancy Kerrigan may testify at her brother's manslaughter trial. [CBCSports]

Moscow to host 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

It's official -- The ISU has chosen Moscow, Russia to host the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships from April 24 - May 1. Worlds was supposed to take place in Tokyo this week but with the earthquake, tsunami, nuclear disaster, and the continuing recovery efforts, the Japanese Skating Federation made the decision not to hold Worlds in Tokyo. Full ISU statement is below: 

In its statement of March 21, 2011 the ISU communicated the decision of the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) to decline holding the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011, initially allotted to the JSF and scheduled to be held in Tokyo, Japan this week.

In the meantime, the ISU has received applications to hold the Event during the months of April or May of this year from its Member federations in Austria (Graz), Canada (Vancouver), Croatia (Zagreb), Finland (Turku), Russia (Moscow) and USA (Colorado Springs or Lake Placid).

The ISU thanks those Member federations for their spontaneous reaction during these truly dramatic and exceptional circumstances emanating from the crisis in Japan and highly appreciates their efforts for having prepared an application on such short notice. The ISU reiterates that in the light of the dramatic situation in Japan the staging of sporting events becomes relatively secondary and a solution satisfying all involved is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, it is in the best interest of the ISU and its Members to hold the Championships as soon as possible.

The ISU has reviewed all applications received and after careful evaluation the ISU Council decided to allot the Championships to the Figure Skating Federation of Russia, to be held in the Megasport Arena in Moscow/Russia, on April 24-May 1, 2011.

The organization of this major Event with little time to prepare will require a high level effort from the Figure Skating Federation of Russia which has assured the ISU of its full cooperation including in areas such as easy access to entry visas and security. The preparation for the updating of all relevant details (time schedule, Announcement, entry confirmations etc) have already begun and the ISU will revert as soon as possible with the necessary information. 

Under these extraordinary circumstances the ISU asks for the full cooperation and understanding of the skating community and all involved entities in making this a successful Event. The full cooperation of all participating ISU Member federations hopefully attending in full strength will be of utmost importance.

Finally, the ISU is convinced that the Japanese delegation coming to Moscow deserves and will receive special attention and respect. At a time like this, words cannot express feelings but the ISU wants to let the skating friends of the Japan Skating Federation and the people of Japan know that the thoughts and wishes of the Skating family continue to remain with them.

Ottavio Cinquanta                                         Fredi Schmid

President                                                     Director General

2011 World Figure Skating Championships postponed

• 2011 World Figure Skating Championships to be held in Tokyo postponed due to Japan tragedy. [ISU press release]

• US and Russia offer to hold World Championships in April/May. [Chicago Tribune]

• Alissa CIszny holds strong views on not canceling Worlds. [Chicago Tribune]

• Yuka Sato's plan on hold while Japan recovers. [Detroit Free Press]

• Patrick Chan is a caged tiger while outcome of Worlds is pending. [CBC Sports]

• Johnny Weir guest judges on RuPaul's Drag Race and gets a smooch. [OnTopMag]

• Yu-Na Kim (at right) returns to Korea after spending eight months in Los Angeles. [Arirang]

• Sun shines on 12th Annual Wollman Open in NYC. [USFSA]

• Meet Leah Adams, the skaters' photographer. [Daily Sentinel]

• Felicia Zhang and Taylor Toth, the 2010 U.S. junior pairs champions, end their two-year partnership. [icenetwork]

• World ice dance bronze medalists Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali of Italy announce their retirement. [icenetwork]

• Canadian pairs team Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison announce split and thank fans. [Skate Canada]

• Olympic champion Tara Lipinski skates at Rockefeller Rink for the Today show. [Hulu]

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto tour with Stars On Ice (video)

Here's my interview with Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto when they were in NYC to promote the 25th anniversary tour of Stars On Ice. In addition to starring in SOI, Tanith and Ben are also pursuing their own individual careers. For Tanith, a future in broadcast media may be in the works and for Ben, he's in Seattle with long-time girlfriend Mary, looking to enroll in sports medicine school. It was great to see them peform live at Rockefeller Rink, along wth Evan Lysacek, Ekaterina Gordeeva and Michael Weiss. See complete SOI tour schedule here.