Celebration on Ice - Thu-Mon

[Blade1]

Hi Everyone,
I went to last nights show in Sudbury and it was FANTASTIC. I have seen COI every time they make a stop in Sudbury, and I just want to say that tonight's show was fantastic. So festive, with great programs and the group numbers where so cute. Seeing Jeff's O Holy Night number gave me chills. Elvis still has the moves. Kurt - love him to pieces especially his 'Singing In The Rain' program. Can I say its SO GOOD to see Patrick Chan touring in Canada Seeing all World Champions on the ice at the same time was the highlight. Great number, and I just sat there watching, and couldn't help but get flashbacks in the back of my head, of Kurt, Elvis, Jeff and Patrick, and what we've seen from all of these men in the figure skating circle throughout the years. Amazing !!! Also it was great to see many of the skaters from the Sudbury Skating Club apart of the show. We have some great talented skaters out there ! I took pictures and will definitly be posting them soon

[AragornElessar]

To add a personal note to the great run down of Blade1's great post...

About an hour before heading off to the show w/my Sister's best friend who was giving me a ride there and back, my sister says to me, "Oh...Did I tell you that Michelle's Curtis is skating tonight w/the little ones?"

After my jaw came up off the floor and my eyes went back into their sockets, all I could do was go, "WHAT!?!"

Obviously, no. She didn't tell me that. This little guy and his little brother's Mom lived next door to my Sister and she, my oldest nephew, the son of the lady who gave me a ride and me all grew up together. In fact, these two little guys are considered to be my Sister and Brother in Law's Honourary Grandsons. That's how close we all were and still are. Now I always look forward to the little ones from the CanSkate program's little number as it's just too adorable, but after hearing that piece of information, I was looking forward to it even more.

So there I was, sitting on the ice and on the end right across from the Skaters Entrance, had my camera at the ready to go and try to get some good pictures of the little ones and...

There were two groups. One of older kids who had more skills and experience when it comes to skating and the little, little ones like Curtis who are just learning. Guess where Curtis' group was? If you're saying not in my nearer half of the ice, give yourself a Christmas cookie.

I tried the best I could to try and get pictures whenever there was a space in the circle of older kids that were in front of us, and I did get quite a few, but I have no idea if I got any of Curtis or not.

So after the show, we ended up meeting up w/Michelle, Curtis and Michelle's Mom Marg and...

Michelle was so excited for two reasons. One, even though he was *really* nervous, Curtis didn't fall out there. Two, during the Zamboni break and just before they came out, Kurt popped into their area of the Arena to see how they were doing and to give them a bit of a pep talk before heading out.

Which considering just how many cookies and Candy Canes they'd all had by that point, Michelle said getting them excited wasn't that big a problem, but...

She said that Curtis walked right up to Kurt and said Hi to him. Michelle said Kurt got down to his level and..."Hi Buddy!! What's your name?

Curtis.

WOW!! We've got the same name. How cool is that? High five Bud."

Which they did and Michelle told me she got it all on video too. She also said he told them all that..."Now remember, it's *Can*Skate. Not *Can't*Skate!!"

Michelle kept saying how she couldn't believe how wonderful Kurt was w/all of those kids. I didn't say anything, but that wasn't a surprise to me after all these years.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share that w/everyone. After all, we all get pretty good reviews by those of us who do an awesome report on who did what and if it was a good show or not. This though...This is one of those special things we don't always hear about, but I thought we should.

Two other things and forgive me for this first part, but....

*ahem*

I GOT A AWESOME AND PERFECTLY IN FOCUS PICTURE OF SHAWN SAWYER'S BACKFLIP!!!!

Between him, Brian Orser and Scotty Hamilton, do any of you know how long I've been trying to get that picture? Any picture of a backflip that's not only clearly in focus, but also not a teeny tiny dot at the other end of the rink, or blurry horrid or w/a part of the skater's body cut off?

Too freaking long!!!

So forgive the shouting, but I was doing a fair bit of shrieking last night when I saw that photo when I was checking my pictures after I'd gotten back here to my Sister's.

Second....As we were waiting in the lobby/foyer area of the Arena waiting for my Sister's friend's Husband to come and pick us up, I heard someone as they were going by saying, "Look!! There's Megan Duhamel!!" I turn and sure enough, there she was chatting w/a couple of older ladies. It was pretty obvious to me from the way they were chatting these women were either Family Friends or Family.

I waited off to the side for her to finish her conversation and just as she was moving off, called out her name. I knew she had to get going, and had nothing for her to sign anyway, so didn't hold her up any longer than to shake her hand and wish her and Eric a Merry Christmas and best of luck the rest of the Season. She wanted to know if I'd enjoyed the show and as I told her, it was excellent!!

It was too. Michelle tried to get Curtis up to her, but by then he was hiding behind Mom's legs and too shy. Also more than likely too tired too.

I just wish there had been more time to actually talk to Megan and ask if what my Dad says is true actually is or not. That we're Cousins through her Mom. This wasn't the time for that though darn it!!

Anyway...It really was such a great show and to see all Four World Champions out there. I took more than just one picture of the four of them together after their number together. Just in case one of them doesn't turn out.

Sigh...It really was such an awesome show and to those getting to see it next, have a fantastic time!!

[kimkom]

AE, I've put photos on my Facebook page and have made the album public. I took several pictures of the little ones at that end (my seats were right beside the tunnel). Have a look...maybe I managed to get a shot of him. They were all so freakin' cute, and trying so hard!

[AragornElessar]

They were adorable and thanks for letting me know you've got them up at your Facebook account. All I need though is a link, as I'm not on Facebook, so could you share that please and thank you and then my Sister and I will check to see if you got any of him.

[kimkom]

Well

Here's the link for anyone interested.

My pictures aren't so great...I find it so hard to photograph skating.

[alilou]

Ahem.....when do we get to see the photo of Shawn's backflip???????

[Teenes]

Here's my review of the Stratford and Newmarket shows:
http://kurtfiles.com/reviews/celebration12.php

It's a bit long but I guess if you've read my reviews before, you'll know that. Still working on the photos..

[AragornElessar]

Ahem.....when do we get to see the photo of Shawn's backflip???????

Tomorrow at the earliest. I'm at my sister's on my laptop and for some unknown reason, my camera or my laptop doesn't like each other and won't download the photos. I'm headed home tomorrow, so considering I've been sick today w/a minor buggie boo, it all depends on how I'm feeling. I hope to get them all edited and done tomorrow though.

There's a couple I needed to lighten and others that need a wee bit of cropping here and there, but other than that, I'm happy w/what I got on Saturday night.

I still can't get over Fiona and Noah being out there though. I mean...The year they were born, that was the time when an on ice seat meant going to the after show Reception and knowing this tour was run by Jean-Michel's company and he'd be there, I made the twins the Full Term sized version of the hats from the sets I crochet for the NICU here in Sudbury and was able to give them to him for the Twins. That still feels like it was only yesterday and to think they're now out there at that age....

Sigh...Man I'm getting old...

[Sylvia]

This Sudbury Star article about the show includes a slideshow of 50 photos: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/1...-local-skaters

[AragornElessar]

Well

Here's the link for anyone interested.

My pictures aren't so great...I find it so hard to photograph skating.

Kim, I've tried a few times and so has my Sister on her iPad, as she is on Facebook and I thought that could make a difference, but... All I'm seeing when I click on the link is the basic Facebook page, but nothing on it other than the graphics at the top and the various acknowledgements on the bottom of it. Now I do know I can access Facebook pages so long as they're Public ones, as I've done it before, but since I wasn't seeing anything thought it might be that I needed to see them on someone else's computer toy thing who is on Facebook. No such luck though.

For once, I hope it's just something on my end that's the problem.

[AragornElessar]

Thanks for the link to the article over at the Sudbury Star Sylvia. I got two really nice pictures of those two skaters and Patrick before he introduced them to the crowd the other night. All I have to do is fix the darkness of it and crop it a teeny weeny bit and if it turns it out like I hope it does, then I'll print out two copies of it and send it to the Club for them.

Yes, I'm sure they had someone taking pictures for them, but as we all know who try to take skating pictures, you just never know what'll happen in a show lighting situation and a camera.

[kimkom]

Hmmm...I definitely have the album set to pubic. Can anyone else see the photos?

Here's the link again.

[victorskid]

Hmmm...I definitely have the album set to pubic. Can anyone else see the photos?

Here's the link again.

I can see them with no problem. Thanks for sharing

[spikydurian]

Thanks for the pictures, Kim Kom. Oooh... those tiny tots with helmets are sooo adorable.
I like the fact that the local community is involved in these shows.

[AragornElessar]

This is the message I just got when I checked...

This content is currently unavailable
The page you requested cannot be displayed right now. It may be temporarily unavailable, the link you clicked on may have expired, or you may not have permission to view this page.

Frustrating to say the least!!

[VarBar]

I bought tickets to this as a present for a relative who is much more crazy about show skating than me. Not to say that I was reluctant but I like competitions much more than shows.

Can I say that if I was able to, I would go see the next three performances of this show? Just fantastic. And Elvis, I don't know where he buried his martial arts choreography but thank god. His second performance was the best case of skater reinvention that I've ever seen. Of all of the numbers that's the one I want to see again.

This one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9-A6mZbQyk

Great spins.

[kimkom]

This is the message I just got when I checked...



Frustrating to say the least!!

And you tried the second link I posted? Strange!

[Andora]

This one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9-A6mZbQyk

Great spins.

I love, LOVE this program for Elvis. I wish he'd broken out more like this as an amateur. It's still nothing on, say, Jeff's programs, but it's a big improvement. I mean, it's a program I watched twice. I can't think of another time that's happened with him after '97 and the big 4-3 jump debut. I caught CBC's airing of Holiday On Ice a few days before, and actually looked forward to Elvis's program.

Can I just gush about Shawn's Allegria again? The Holiday On Ice clip was nothing on how great it is live. I don't miss him as an amateur at all, and just hope he gets more and more opportunities to put out such great programs as a pro.

[minx]

This one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9-A6mZbQyk

Great spins.

Yeah! That one. Thank you!!

[AragornElessar]

And you tried the second link I posted? Strange!

I did. Strange is not the word for it.