“2010 ALL THAT SKATE LA” TO PREMIERE AT STAPLES CENTER
The American Debut of the World’s Hottest New Skating Spectacular Starring Reigning Olympic Champion Yuna Kim, Figure Skating Legend Michelle Kwan and an All-Star Cast of Olympic, World and U.S. Figure Skating Champions
Ranging from $42 to $155 VIP, tickets are available for purchase at www.staplescenter.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster retail outlets, as well as via the event website at www.allthatskate.com. For group tickets, details are available at 1.877.AEG.TICKETS (877.234.8425) and online at www.aegtickets.com. A special “Ultimate Skate Experience” offer included with VIP and front row ticket purchases, provides access to an exclusive “sneak peak” of dress rehearsal and discussion with the skating stars on Saturday.
Here are a few insights from some of the skating stars that gives you the “Skater Scoop.”
Do you have any rituals before you perform?
Michelle Kwan – “I had a few rituals when I was competing. There was a time when I laced up my left skate before my right. I also remember there was a period when I didn't polish my skates despite the dirtiness because I thought it was lucky.”
Yuna Kim - “I usually make the cross sign right before my performance.”
Johnny Weir - “I get ready in a very quiet space, make myself beautiful and get in the zone.”
Tessa Virtue - “I always put my left skate on before my right. I walk the same route to dressing room every time I enter a rink. I put the necklace I usually wear (which was my Grandmother's gold chain) in my right running shoe after tying my skates.”
Tanith Belbin - “I have little superstitious habits, like putting my left skate on first and lining my guards up perfectly before placing them in my coach's hands. The most important thing I always do before taking the ice at competitions though is holding onto Ben's hand for at least 5 minutes before the warm-up. This way we can sense how nervous the other is and what we need to do to help them through.”
Scott Moir - “Not really. The only thing I do is to buy new socks before every competition.”
Ashley Wagner - “I usually listen to really upbeat songs, and I always put my right skate on before my left.”
Stéphane Lambiel – “I like singing before I skate. That’s good for my breathing.”
What’s your favorite thing about performing?
Michelle Kwan – “My favorite thing about performing is connecting with the music, ice and audience.”
Johnny Weir - “I love when the crowd erupts with appreciation. Entertaining my fans is the most important thing about performing in shows.”
Tessa Virtue - “It always makes me happy to see smiling faces in the stands as we skate - Scott and I love to entertain!”
Tanith Belbin - “I love connecting with the audience and, when it's a great performance, having some impact on them emotionally. My favorite part of ice dancing is the story-telling aspect so in show programs especially, we always try to make a program with clear storyline.”
Scott Moir - “My favorite thing about performing is performing that perfect program you have practiced. There is no better feeling.”
Ashley Wagner - “I love being able to perform in front of a crowd because I feel like this is my way of expressing myself. I can relate to the audience and entertain them with my performance. It makes me happy that I can make others happy through my skating.”
Stéphane Lambiel – “To share my passion with the audience.”
What is the coolest thing you’ve received from a fan?
Michelle Kwan – “I am a huge stuffed animal lover, so I would have to say that every stuffed animal that has been tossed on the ice has been my favorite.”
Yuna Kim - “Messages from fans, collections of fan art, donations under my name to UNICEF by fans for my birthday present.”
Johnny Weir - “Love and support.”
Tessa Virtue - “A beautiful scrapbook filled with skating photos, poems, drawings and even CDs with possible skating music on them! It was so generous, extremely thoughtful and obviously very time-consuming. Also, I love receiving fuzzy, comfy socks from Japan and Korea!”
Tanith Belbin - “One fan from Korea made me an incredible statue for my birthday this year. It's a perfect replica of myself and Ben in a lift from our Free Dance at the Olympics and every single detail, from the rhinestones on my dress to the Olympic logo on the ice, is absolutely perfect.”
Scott Moir - “Dior tie.”
Ashley Wagner - “I received a Mikimoto pearl necklace that was really pretty.”
Stéphane Lambiel – “A drawing, a portrait. It hangs in the entrée of my apartment.”
What is your favorite junk food?
Michelle Kwan – “My favorite junk food: junior mints, chips, and anything sweeeeeet.
Yuna Kim - “Korean snacks.”
Johnny Weir - “See’s candies and Magnolia Bakery’s cupcakes.”
Tessa Virtue - “Any kind of chocolate!”
Tanith Belbin - “Candy (white chocolate in particular)”
Scott Moir - “Mr. Freeze frozen treats.”
Ashley Wagner - “French Fries!”
Stéphane Lambiel – “I don’t like junk food.”
What American city do you think has the best skating audiences?
Michelle Kwan – “I love skating in L.A. I make sure that all my friends and family scream and cheer extra loud.”
Yuna Kim - “LA!!!!!!!!!!”
Johnny Weir - “New York City.”
Tessa Virtue - “Los Angeles, of course!”
Tanith Belbin - “Los Angeles had the absolute best audience at the World Championships in 2009. We felt their support the entire week of the competition and their encouragement lifted us to a whole new level of performance.”
Scott Moir - I haven’t skated in America very often, but we have some great fans in Canton, Michigan.”
Ashley Wagner - “LA!”
Stéphane Lambiel – “Los Angeles.”
Do you have an all-time favorite skating program?
Michelle Kwan – “My exhibition program, Fields of Gold.”
Yuna Kim - “Michelle Kwan “Lyra Angelica” at 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir “Symphony no.5 at 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.”
Johnny Weir - “My favorite program from my own career is probably “The Swan” my 2006 Olympic short program. My favorite programs of other skaters Anissina and Peizerat’s “Liberty,” and Evgeny Plushenko’s “Nijinskiy.”
Tessa Virtue - “No. Should I?”
Tanith Belbin - “Kurt Browning’s “Singing In The Rain.”
Scott Moir - “Jeffrey Buttle Long Worlds 2008 because I was there live and felt the energy of perfection.”
Ashley Wagner - “Tara Lipinski’s Freeskate at the ’98 Olympics.”
Stéphane Lambiel – “Swan Lake by Oksana Baiul.”
Who is your favorite skater?
Michelle Kwan – “Brian Boitano.”
Yuna Kim - “Michelle Kwan / Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir.”
Johnny Weir - “Evgeny Plushenko, Irina Slutskaya and Yu Na Kim.”
Tessa Virtue - “Jeffrey Buttle”
Tanith Belbin - “Shae-Lynn Bourne was my idol growing up and is still my favorite skater today.”
Scott Moir - “Patrick Chan.”
Stéphane Lambiel – “Shizuka Arakawa.”
What is your favorite movie?
Michelle Kwan – “Gladiator.”
Yuna Kim - “500 Days Of Summer, Paranormal Activity, Moulin Rouge.”
Johnny Weir - “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.”
Tessa Virtue - “Any early Audrey Hepburn movie (Sabrina, Roman Holiday, Funny Face), The Princes Bride and Best in Show.”
Tanith Belbin - “Jeux D'Enfants (Love Me if You Dare).”
Scott Moir - “Bloodsport.”
Ashley Wagner - “Atonement.”
Stéphane Lambiel – “Romeo and Juliet by Franco Zeffirelli.”
Who are you listening to on your ipod?
Michelle Kwan – “William Fitzsimmons, Jason Mraz, Usher, Nelly, Alicia Keys.”
Yuna Kim - “Korean Singer! BOA.”
Johnny Weir - “Lady Gaga, Johnny Weir, Sergey Lazarev, Dima Bilan, Elton John.”
Tessa Virtue - “Eminem, Jay-Z, Marvin Gaye, Tiesto.”
Tanith Belbin - “Jason Mraz.”
Scott Moir - “Hail the Villain” - any and every song.”
Ashley Wagner - “Florence and the Machines, Regina Spektor, John Mayer.”
Stéphane Lambiel – “Beyonce.”
What cool things do you keep in your skate bag?
Michelle Kwan – “You won’t be surprised to see a Laker’s towel in my bag to wipe my blades when I get off the ice. GO LAKERS! THREE-PEAT!!!”
Yuna Kim - “A baseball for foot massage.”
Johnny Weir - “My skates?”
Tessa Virtue - “I always keep an old pair of broken skate guards in my bag, lots of lucky pennies, safety pins of all sizes and the first draft of the Olympic practice schedule that's been in there for over a year!”
Tanith Belbin - “I don't keep anything interesting in my skate bag. Just skates and other essentials.”
Scott Moir - “Things I use on the ice. And extra laces!”
Ashley Wagner - “My lucky marbles, notes from special people in my life and trinkets from everywhere.”
Stéphane Lambiel – “My handmade blade covers.”
