Dee Snider from Celebrity Apprentice with pairs teams Caydee Denney/John Coughlin and Mary Beth Marley/Rockne Brubaker, Photo Credit: Greg Partanio/ManhattanSociety.com:
Figure Skating in Harlem founder Sharon Cohen with Sarah Hughes and Paul Wylie, Photo Credit: Greg Partanio/ManhattanSociety.com:
Joannie Rochette, Todd Eldredge, Nicole Bobek, Scott Hamilton, Timothy Goebel and Tanith Belbin, Photo Credit: Greg Partanio/ManhattanSociety.com:
Ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani with young fan, Photo Credit: Greg Partanio/ManhattanSociety.com:
Tanith Belbin looking cool and gorgeous as ever, Photo Credit: Greg Partanio/ManhattanSociety.com:
DIANA ROSS, VERA WANG, AND DONALD TRUMP JOIN OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS TO CELEBRATE FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY ---------2012 Skating with the Stars Gala raises approximately $700K to support innovative educational and fitness programs---------
(April 2012) -- Figure Skating in Harlem (http://www.figureskatinginharlem.org) announced that its Skating with the Stars 2012 gala honoring international fashion designer Vera Wang and dynamic Figure Skating in Harlem patron Ellen Lowey is expected to raise approximately $700,000. Harlem artist and entrepreneur Rhonda Ross, accompanied by her mother, the legendary Diana Ross, received the Star Leadership Award. This one-of-a-kind benefit event was held on Monday, April 2, 2012, at Wollman Rink in Central Park. First Lady Michelle Obama sent a letter to be read on her behalf.
The money raised goes to support Figure Skating in Harlem’s (FSH) innovative academics and fitness program for underserved girls, transforming the lives of these 6-18 year-olds and helping them to grow in confidence, leadership, and academic success. Through its unique programming, FSH empowers young girls by combining educational, artistic, and fitness opportunities through the discipline of skating. “FSH is a vital resource for girls in some of the most under-served communities in New York City. We are continuing to expand our programs as we plan for a future home ice rink of our own with state-of-the-art educational facilities to anchor in the community,” said FSH Founder & Executive Director Sharon Cohen.
Joining more than 600 guests for a festive night of ice skating, autographs, photos, and more were top fashion designers Vera Wang, Kenneth Cole, and B Michael, business moguls Donald Trump, Terry Lundgren, and Stephen Bollenbach, and television personalities including Soledad O’Brien, Tamara Tunie, Jake T. Austin, Rebecca Budig, BD Wong, Harry Smith, and more. Also showing their support were Kevin & Dani Jonas, Emme, New York Rangers legend Rod Gilbert, and Celebrity Apprentice stars Dee Snider and Dayana Mendoza. An inaugural gala dinner celebrating 15 years of FSH was held at The Central Park Boathouse following the skating portion of the night. (Photo above, Vera Wang and Evan Lysacek, Photo Credit: Greg Partanio/ManhattanSociety.com)
Throughout the evening, guests skated with Olympic legend Scott Hamilton, reigning Olympic Champion Evan Lysacek, and many more Olympic and world-class skaters including Olympic Champions Sarah Hughes and Tara Lipinski, Sasha Cohen (Olympic Silver Medalist), Todd Eldredge (World Champion), Tanith Belbin (Olympic Silver Medalist with partner Ben Agosto), Joannie Rochette (Olympic Bronze Medalist), Paul Wylie (Olympic Silver Medalist), and Nicole Bobek (World Bronze Medalist), as well as the entire 2012 United States World Team: Meryl Davis and Charlie White (2012 US Ice Dancing Champions and 2012 World Silver Medalists), Caydee Denney and John Coughlin (2012 US Pairs Figure Skating Champions), Jeremy Abbott (2012 US Men’s Figure Skating Champion), Ashley Wagner (2012 US Women’s Figure Skating Champion), Alissa Czisny (2011 US Women’s Figure Skating Champion), Maia and Alex Shibutani (World Bronze Medalists), Adam Rippon, Mary Beth Marley and Rockne Brubaker, and Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue. (Photo below. 2012 US World Team at Figure Skating in Harlem Skating with the Stars gala, Photo Credit: Greg Partanio/ManhattanSociety.com)
The 2012 Skating with the Stars auction runs through April 17th at www.charitybuzz.com/fsh, and includes the chance to meet President Bill Clinton, Vera Wang, Soledad O’Brien, Carson Kressley, Brian Boitano, Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen, Sophie & Katherine from DC Cupcakes, and many, many more.
Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) provides free ice skating and academic tutoring for young girls in the Harlem Community. FSH will be holding their annual benefit gala tomorrow evening at Wollman Rink in Central Park. This year's honorees include fashion designer Vera Wang. In case you missed last year's event (see video above), Olympic Champion Evan Lysacek presented a check from the Pioneer Fund and Scott Hamilton for $100,000 to support the organization. If you're a skating fan, tomorrow evening is not to be missed -- hobnob with anyone and everyone from the skating world, including: Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen, Sarah Hughes, Tara Lipinski, Todd Eldredge, Tanith Belbin, Ben Agosto, Joannie Rochette, Paul Wylie, Nicole Bobek, Meryl Davis, Charlie White, Caydee Denney, John Coughlin, Jeremy Abbott, Ashley Wagner, Alissa Czisny, Maia Shibutani, Alex Shibutani, Adam Rippon, Mary Beth Marley, Rockne Brubaker, Madison Hubbell, Zach Donohue, and the list goes on! Hope to see you there!
FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM CELEBRATES 15TH YEAR AT 2012 SKATING WITH THE STARS GALA
Star-studded event honoring Vera Wang and Rhonda Ross features skating champions and celebritieson the ice with guests at Wollman Rink
Figure Skating in Harlem (http://www.figureskatinginharlem.org) is excited to announce its Annual Skating with the Stars gala honoring international fashion designer Vera Wang, dynamic Figure Skating in Harlem patron Ellen Lowey, and artist and entrepreneur Rhonda Ross. This one-of-a-kind benefit event will be held on Monday, April 2, 2012, from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the famed Wollman Rink in Central Park. This fantastic evening raises critically-needed funds for Figure Skating in Harlem’s (FSH) innovative fitness and academics program for underserved girls, while offering guests the unparalleled chance to skate side-by-side with some of the greatest names in modern skating history. An inaugural gala dinner celebrating 15 years of Figure Skating in Harlem will be held at The Central Park Boathouse following the skating portion of the night.
Donald Trump and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star (and FSH Board Chair Emerita) Tamara Tunie will serve as this year’s Honorary Chairs; Kimberly and Stephen Bollenbach and Terry and Tina Lundgren are our Event Chairs. Past celebrity guests at this always star-studded night include Kelly Ripa, Mariska Hargitay, Olympic Gold Medalist and Dancing with the Stars’ contestant Evan Lysacek, Maria Cuomo Cole and Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kelly Rowland, among many others.
Jake T. Austin, Hockey Hall-of-Famer Rod Gilbert, Carson Kressley, Christopher Meloni, and Soledad O’Brien are among those already scheduled to attend this year. Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to skate with Lysacek and many more Olympic and World champions including Olympic Champions Sarah Hughes and Tara Lipinski, Sasha Cohen (Olympic Silver Medalist), Todd Eldredge (World Champion), Johnny Weir (two-time Olympic Team Member),Tanith Belbin (Olympic Silver Medalist with partner Ben Agosto), Joannie Rochette (Olympic Bronze Medalist), Paul Wylie (Olympic Silver Medalist), and Nicole Bobek (World Bronze Medalist), as well as the entire 2012 United States World Team: Meryl Davis and Charlie White (2012 US Ice Dancing Champions and 2011 World Champions), Caydee Denney and John Coughlin (2012 US Pairs Figure Skating Champions), Jeremy Abbott (2012 US Men’s Figure Skating Champion), Ashley Wagner (2012 US Women’s Figure Skating Champion), Alissa Czisny (2011 US Women’s Figure Skating Champion), Maia and Alex Shibutani (World Bronze Medalists), Adam Rippon, Mary Beth Marley and Rockne Brubaker, Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue.
Tickets to the gala, which include skating and a festive buffet, start at $300 and are available by calling (212) 222-8240. Visit www.charitybuzz.com beginning on March 26th to find great auction items for bidding online.
I caught up with Joannie Rochette, 2010 Olympic bronze medalist, in NYC at Figure Skating in Harlem's 2011 benefit gala in April. For those unaware, Joannie was the face of courage and inspiration at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. A few days before the ladies short program, her mother (and also best friend and confidante) died of a massive heart attack. Joannie continued to compete, put together two strong programs, and won the bronze. It's hard, actually it's impossible, for me to imagine what she was feeling on the podium, as her mother was the biggest supporter of her skating career and wasn't there to share in one of her biggest victories.
Since the Olympics, Joannie took time off from competition and has been involved in various charities, which include World Vision Canada and organizations that promote women's heart health. She also toured with the US and Canada Stars on Ice, is in high demand as a speaker, and continues to perform in ice shows. The next chapter in Joannie's life has just begun! (Photo at right, Joannie Rochette performs at Rockefeller Skating Rink for the Today Show)
Other attendees and supporters at Figure Skating in Harlem's annual gala included Sarah Hughes (she was also the honoree for her long-time support of the organization), Evan Lysacek, Johnny Weir, Jeremy Abbott, Adam Rippon, Tanith Belbin, Ben Agosto, Todd Eldredge, Timothy Goebel, Lucinda Ruh, Emily Hughes, and many more. See complete coverage of the gala here.
FINALLY! Johnny Weir is coming out with a dress line on April 30. Available exclusively on eDressMe.com starting April 30, the dresses will be revealed during a skating show called Ice Dreams in Bensenville, Illinois. Prices for the collection range from $198 - $298 - Johnny's initial collection consists of six “Little Black Dress” styles, boasting ostrich feathers, netting and sequin accents.
I say "finally" because it was only a matter of time, right people? First his song came out "Dirty Love," then his autobiography "Welcome to My World," so naturally the next project would be a clothing and jewelry line. And yes, he is also working on a jewelry line and his agent Tara Modlin often models the samples everywhere she goes. What, no bag line? I bet it's coming...Here's Johnny talking about all this, in addition to coming out of the closet, at the 2011 Figure Skating in Harlem benefit on April 4. (Photo above, Johnny Weir attends 2011 Figure Skating in Harlem benefit in NYC)
