Adult skaters needed for reality show

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 13, 2011) -- Seeking adult competitive figure skaters in the NYC and LA area for a docu-series for network television

Are you an avid adult skater who loves to compete? Did you start skating as an adult or did you return to skating after some time away? We are interested in casting adult skaters who love to compete, especially in the Interpretive/Showcase events. There is no age limit and we are interested in all levels -- the only criteria is that your love of skating and competition come through!

**We are meeting and filming skaters in the NYC area from December 15 - 19th. We are meeting and filming skaters in the Los Angeles area from December 20 - beginning of January.

If you believe you would be great for the docu-series, please send an email to: TroyRuptash@roadrunner.com. The subject line must read: Adult competitive figure skater. Thank you everyone!

Johnny Weir and Ice Theatre of New York: Together at last

Kids and coaches needed for ice skating reality show

[UPDATE 11/10/11: CASTING HAS CONCLUDED! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUBMISSIONS!]

Casting KIDS ON ICE for Lifetime!
Seeking young ice skaters for new series

Los Angeles, CA. – September 12, 2011, – Collins Avenue is seeking kids (ages 6-13) and their moms, along with their coach(es), who are serious about competing and winning ice skating competitions. Moms or Dads must be actively involved in helping their kids train and prepare for each competition. It must be a top priority for these families but it doesn’t have to be their only interest. Collins Avenue is seeking families and coaches with strong personalities, talent, passion and the desire to win! This is a very short casting process so please submit NOW!

If you or anyone you know are interested in this TV project, please email lschwartz@collinsave.com or kdrakes@collinsave.com the following info:

• Name of ice skating club and ice skating instructor (be sure this is in the subject line of your email)
• Name and age of skater
• Parents name
• Phone number, email and state of residence
• Picture of skater, mom, dad and coach
• Brief description of family, level of talent, interest, hobbies, parent’s occupations
• List awards and accomplishments
• Describe your relationship with your coach (in a few sentences please)
• YOU MUST INCLUDE A PICTURE OF THE SKATER, COACH and PARENTS

Again, this is short casting process -- please help spread the word for Kids On Ice!

Johnny Weir headlines Ice Theatre of New York benefit gala

Ice Theatre of New York Honors US Champion Johnny Weir at its 2011 Benefit Gala and Performance

New York City, NY --- Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY), the nation’s premier ice dancing ensemble, will host the company’s annual Benefit Gala and Performance on Monday, October 24 at 7 p.m., at Chelsea Pier’s Sky Rink in NYC. Festivities include a performance featuring US Champion and two-time Olympian Johnny Weir and Ice Theatre of New York at Sky Rink, Chelsea Piers. Skating legend, Aja Zanova, visionary ice show promoter, Tom Collins, and founder of Fireworks Sports Marketing, Tara Modlin, will Co-Chair a star-studded benefit honoring Johnny Weir at The Lighthouse in Chelsea Piers immediately following the show. Says honoree Johnny Weir: "I'm so excited to be honored by Ice Theatre of New York because I have admired their commitment to the art and sport of figure skating for as long as I can remember. I’m also thrilled to have another opportunity to perform at my home base, New York City.” (photo at right, Johnny Weir and agent Tara Modlin of Fireworks Sports Marketing)

“We honor Johnny Weir for being an enthusiastic supporter of artistic skating as well as someone who “dares to be different,” says Moira North, ITNY’s Artistic Director. Weir joins an esteemed list of ITNY honorees including Dick Button, Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, Nancy Kerrigan, Vera Wang, Paul Wylie, and Aja Zanova. In addition to honoring Johnny Weir, ITNY will present the Ice Angel Award to Margarita Sears and the Will Sears Fund for their generous support of the creation of new works for the Company. Ice Rink Events, the leading manufacturer of modular ice technologies, will be recognized with the Arts & Business Partnership Award for supporting Ice Theatre of New York with quality ice surfaces for the proscenium stage.

For more information on the October 24 gala, including ticket purchase, contact ITNY at (212) 929-5811 or click here.

Below is last year's ITNY gala which honored Dorothy Hamill. Johnny Weir was a guest skater and performed two numbers:

Oleg and Lyudmila Protopopov to be honored by Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Village of Lake Placid, N.Y. and the Skating Club of Lake Placid will celebrate the careers and achievements of pairs figure skating icons Lyudmila and Oleg Protopopov during a special figure skating show, Saturday, September 3, to be held in the Olympic Center’s 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena. (Watch Protopopovs skate to Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun here)

Lyudmila Belousova and Oleg Protopopov (at right) are beloved around the world and are best known for their romance and artistry on the ice. Their beauty of line and perfection of unity, along with their harmony with the music, have often been emulated by many pairs’ teams but duplicated by few. Many pairs innovations have been attributed directly to them including but not limited to the lovely “death spiral” which they feel should be more aptly named the “cosmic” spiral.

The Protopopovs were six-time USSR National Champions, 1965, 1966 1967 & 1968 World and European Champions and two-time Olympic Champions in 1964 & 1968. Additionally, after retiring from eligible competition, they went on to become four-time World Professional Champions. In 1979 Oleg and Lyudmila defected from the then Soviet Union to seek asylum in Switzerland, which is now their winter home and where they hold citizenship. Lake Placid holds the happy distinction to be the summer home of the Protopopovs as well as their training center.

The Saturday night show is expected to bring several figure skating stars to Lake Placid to honor the Protopopovs, including Richard “Dick” Button. Before becoming the sport’s most recognizable analyst, Button skated to two Olympic titles and is credited as the first skater to ever land the double-axel. Button successfully landed the jump during the 1948 Winter Olympics.

The event will also feature 1984 Olympic Bronze medalists and World competitor in pairs from the former USSR Larisa Selezneva & Oleg Markarov, 1980 Olympic ice dance competitor and 3-time Canadian ice dance Champion Lorna Wighton-Aldridge and 2007 Swiss Ice Dance Champion David De Fazio. These skaters represent the past and present of the Protopopovs. Oleg & Larisa, like the Protpopovs, represented the former Soviet Union in their international career, where as David, along with his former partner Nora von Bergen, represented Switzerland, the country that Ludmilla and Oleg now call home. 

Local village and town officials will also present the pair with a joint proclamation from the Village of Lake Placid and the Town of North Elba, along with the esteemed Key to the Village of Lake Placid. In addition to a USFS presentation, New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) president/CEO Ted Blazer will present and honor the couple with an Olympic Regional Development Authority Executive Office Citation commending the skaters on their excellence and dedication to building upon such a wonderful sporting tradition throughout the years. 

The event begins at 7 p.m. Admission for adults will be $10 and $8 for junior and seniors. All proceeds from this event to benefit the Skating Club of Lake Placid (SCLP).

-- About ORDA --
Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic Speed Skating Oval, Olympic Jumping Complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.