Johnny Weir skates to Lady Gaga's Poker Face (video)

I know what you're saying, "I've seen Johnny Weir's Poker Face show program before." By our count, we've seen it live four times, including the very first time he publicly skated it during a New York Fashion Week party on February 19, 2009. Always very exciting -- the crowd never fails to get into it -- and every time there's something a little different. When Johnny was back in town (meaning NYC) for a few days between the Nationals weekends, he attended a Lady Gaga concert at Radio City Music Hall, so he's no less enamored with his muse. And then he rushed back to Spokane and skated it on national television Sunday night during the U.S.Nationals exhibition.

So in honor of the first anniversary of this program, here it is from a performance last fall at Stars, Stripes and Skates in Danbury, CT, where Johnny also debuted his 2009-2010 short program (see if you can detect any evolution in it over the months). We even thought about producing a short video with all the differerent performances lined up together so you could see where they diverge. But, alas, only so much time in the day, so perhaps one of the legions of Johnny's fans will take on this project (if someone has not already done it).

Also included for your viewing enjoyment are some photos from Johnny's performance that day.

Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein make their debut on the senior circuit

Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein are the 2009 World Junior Champions as well as the 2009 U.S. Junior Champions in ice dance. This is an exciting season for them as they make their debut on the senior Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit. I caught up with Madison and Greg at the 2009 Stars, Stripes and Skates ice benefit in Danbury, Connecticut where they skated their new original dance (OD) to Afro-Cuban music with a little bit of salsa mixed in. They told me that their main focus is to make sure that they have a smooth transition to the senior level and not look like they just came from the junior ranks. I loved the costumes, especially Madison's wrap skirt! (see right) Their first international competition as a senior team is Grand Prix - Cup of China, which begins tomorrow.

The benefit also featured ice dancers from Japan Cathy and Chris Reed, who also debuted their original dance to Japanese folk melodies. The OD for this season is folk/country and it's always interesting to me how diverse the musical selections are. I loved both teams' music and it was a treat to be one of the first to see both numbers performed publicly for the first time! Now that I think about it, there were lots of debuts that evening, including Johnny Weir's new short program to I Love You, I Hate You, Nobunari Oda's free skate to Charlie Chaplin, and Miki Ando's free skate to Cleopatra. Click the link above to view their performances.

Felicia Zhang and Taylor Toth skate to Like A Prayer

Felicia Zhang and Taylor Toth, who partnered up in the summer of 2009 as a new junior pairs team, performed at the 2009 Stars, Stripes and Skates ice show in Danbury, Connecticut last month. They skated to Like A Prayer by Madonna and it was exciting to see this up-and-coming pairs team in the beginning stages of their career together. I still get goosebumps (and get scared) when I see a pairs team getting ready to do a lift. Maybe because on YouTube you can watch horrible skating accidents that some nice person has compiled and a significant number of them involve lifts gone wrong. Or that we know that you can be doing nothing on the ice and your blade will catch something and down you go. Now imagine that scenario but you have someone barely 100 pounds relying on you not to fall. Oh, and also, you have her lifted over your head one-armed and are moving yourself. (See photo at right for illustration)

Enough musings about the fearlessness involved in pairs skating. A few weeks ago, Felicia and Taylor came in 11th at the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating series in Dresden, Germany so a nice start to their partnership. Felicia, 16, by the way, won the novice singles title at the 2008 U.S. Nationals and I didn't have a chance to ask her and Taylor, 21, about how the partnership even came together. They made a cute couple on the ice for sure and I look forward to seeing more of them in the future!

Cathy and Chris Reed at 2009 Stars, Stripes and Skates: Photo gallery

Cathy and Chris Reed, two-time Japanese ice dancing champions, skated their Original Dance (OD) at the 2009 Stars, Stripes and Skates benefit in Danbury, Connecticut. The theme for the OD this season is folk/country, so the duo chose two Japanese folk melodies to skate to: Sakura and Taiko. They even studied with a Japanese instructor in New York City over the summer to understand the origin and meaning of each movement. I loved the gorgeous costumes which perfectly suit their tall, lean frames. 

Cathy and Chris will be skating their OD at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series - NHK Trophy in Japan on November 6. I'll be watching on icenetwork.com. In the meantime, here are Cathy and Chris on the red carpet and on the ice. Enjoy!

Cathy and Chris Reed prepare for first trip to Olympics

Here are Cathy and Chris Reed, the two-time Japanese national champions in ice dance, at the 2009 Stars, Stripes and Skates benefit in Danbury, Connecticut. The brother and sister team began representing Japan during the 2006-2007 season (they have dual citizenship in Japan and the U.S.) and Cathy told me that the   last two seasons have been challenging with Chris' three(!) knee surgeries. But, the two are back stronger than ever and very excited about their programs this season. Their original dance is to a Japanese folk melody (see above, LOVE the gorgeous costumes) and they even traveled to New York to work with a Japanese dance instructor on the art of their dance. Their free program is to the soundtrack to Angels and Demons and you'll have to see the interview to see which one is the angel and which one plays the demon.

Chris also said that since his surgeries, he has been doing a lot of off-ice training, including boxing and weights. He believed that incorporating these kinds of workouts have improved his strength and interestingly, maturity, in his skating. The duo has a busy season ahead, starting with the NHK Trophy, then Four Continents, then their first Olympics, and then Worlds. They were also excited that little sister Allison qualified for the Olympics as well and will represent Georgia with ice dance partner Otar Japaridze. Best of luck to the entire Reed family and we'll be watching!