2024-25 Program Music and Choreographers

[Colonel Green]

For anybody who didn't follow Canadian ice dance at the pre-novice level over a decade ago (and if you didn't, what's wrong with you?), Lajoie and Lagha's rhythm dance is a bit of a self-tribute:

One of them (Marjorie, I think) said in an interview a year or so ago that this was still their favourite thing that they had done.

 

[peibeck]

An Annie Lennox cover of Whiter Shade of Pale? In the words of Annie herself, “Whyyyyyyy?????”

Because they couldn't do "Whyyyyy" without everyone thinking Nancy Kerrigan was on the ice.

 

[chantilly]

I love Annie Lennox’s version on Whiter Shade of Pale.
It’s definitely not a stretch but in an Olympic year, I can’t blame them.
I’m not blown away by the beach boys choice but at least it’s different than what everybody else is doing, and I can see them having fun with it.

As for Lala, I love their choices. They blew me away with Thriller and I thought it was going to be terrible.

I like the Disturbed version of S. O. S. too and it’s definitely a departure from the lyrical, pseudo classical stuff they’ve been doing.

I don’t watch every skater or competitor, so it’s not playing like a warhorse for me.

 

[Belsornia]

Sofia Val / Asaf Kazimov (ESP)
RD: I Was Made For Lovin' You (KISS), Last Train to London (Electric Light Orchestra)
FD: Charms, Dance for Me Wallis (W.E. soundtrack)

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_NRObSIycG/

 

[Spikefan]

Refresh my drink I meant to ask this before what is the rhythm dance theme this year? Whatever it is, it needs to be re-purposed.

I’ve forgotten what exactly but it included music from 1950-1970, so really no theme which is why I don’t recall.

 

[shan]

Sofia Val / Asaf Kazimov (ESP)
RD: I Was Made For Lovin' You (KISS), Last Train to London (Electric Light Orchestra)
FD: Charms, Dance for Me Wallis (W.E. soundtrack)

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_NRObSIycG/

I like their RD choices! It's nice to see a program including ELO!

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I love Annie Lennox’s version on Whiter Shade of Pale.
It’s definitely not a stretch but in an Olympic year, I can’t blame them.

The Olympics are in 2026...

 

[Impromptu]

Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN)
RD: "I Get Around"/"California Girls"/"Wipeout" by the Beach Boys

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FD: "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Annie Lennox (repurposed from an exhibition program)

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I loved that exhibition (still viewable here). It was mixed with a bit of Bach's Air. I was really hoping that they would turn it into a competitive program (needed about another minute added, plus I figure they would re-think some of those lifts which were taken from last year's FD), so this makes me very happy.

 

[chantilly]

The Olympics are in 2026...

OMG what a ding dong.

I think I have Summer Olympics on my brain.

Having said that I wish now they would be doing something more modern and dynamic.

I do LOVE Annie’s version of WSOP though.

 

[chantilly]

I did also see their exhibition and loved it.

 

[hlp728]

Wait, Piper and Paul are using Wipeout as part of their RD and listed the Beach Boys as the artist for the song. The Surfaris did the original version of the song, but the Beach Boys did a 1980’s cover of this song with the Fat Boys. Wonder which version they will be using?

 

[Karen-W]

Wait, Piper and Paul are using Wipeout as part of their RD and listed the Beach Boys as the artist for the song. The Surfaris did the original version of the song, but the Beach Boys did a 1980’s cover of this song with the Fat Boys. Wonder which version they will be using?

Hmmmm... They are allowed to use later covers of songs that were originally published during the 50s-70s, so I'd guess it's probably the Beach Boys later cover that they're using. We'll see whenever they make their season debut.

 

[peibeck]

Wait, Piper and Paul are using Wipeout as part of their RD and listed the Beach Boys as the artist for the song. The Surfaris did the original version of the song, but the Beach Boys did a 1980’s cover of this song with the Fat Boys. Wonder which version they will be using?

I'm just happy it's not a pairs team using that music. Self-prophecy for most of them.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Sofia Val / Asaf Kazimov (ESP)
RD: I Was Made For Lovin' You (KISS), Last Train to London (Electric Light Orchestra)
FD: Charms, Dance for Me Wallis (W.E. soundtrack)

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_NRObSIycG/

I’m confused is the rhythm dance the same as last season?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Different decades ('80's vs. '50's-'70's), and they can use covers this year,

 

[Amy L]

I’m confused is the rhythm dance the same as last season?

I think it's a rather nebulous "dance party" theme.

 

[Andora]

I always find myself mystified at LaLa's music choices when announced, and then come to quickly love them. So this year is no different.

So far, across the board, it's all up hill from Fear & Gibson, who have apparently given up on competing based on what they've put out there this year.

 

[Lanie]

GilPoir's beach bop RD is gonna be something I like, I can tell already.

We did a medley to this in swing dance class in high school. I went to a nerdy arts high school ok I was skating and took A LOT of dance... we got in our big end of year art showcase with it, it was FUN #memorieees

 

[Debbie S]

So far, across the board, it's all up hill from Fear & Gibson, who have apparently given up on competing based on what they've put out there this year.

Well, based on results in past seasons, it doesn't seem like they need compelling programs to earn high scores.

(At least we won't see simulated boxing during the choreo steps.)

And I do like F/G, I just wish they would vary their program formula.

 

[honey]

I concur P/G's 60s "beach" dance bops will be a reprieve from disco. Will be interested to see how they costume that choice though.

When I was a kid someone from a neighboring rink did an interpretive (or “Artistic” as we used to call it) program to a Beach Boys medley and she had the cutest outfit made to look kind of like a wetsuit, but glitzy. Honestly not that far off from Piper’s mermaid pants last year

My expectations are high for P/P with this choice. I think they could absolutely crush this.

And also 10/10 for keeping the Whiter Shade of Pale exhibition. Choreographically it was very interesting and I really hope they keep as much of the choreo as they can.

And I also think L/L have chosen good music for themselves. Extremely accessible pieces that they will not have any problem skating up to. Of course we need to see it, but it feels like these are good choices in a year when they are looking to make a move and solidly their chance at the podium for the Olympics.

 

[Wyliefan]

Prior to the RD tomorrow in Riga, I've been looking at some of the junior teams' new programs at their ISU bios. Here are a couple that I don't think have been mentioned in here yet:

Noemi Maria Tali/Noah Lafornara (ITA)
RD: "How Deep Is Your Love"/"You Should Be Dancing" by the Bee Gees
FD: Love Story soundtrack
Choreographers: Massimo Scali, Stefano Atti

Sandrine Gauthier/Quentin Thieren (CAN)
RD: "Honky Tonk Women" by the Rolling Stones/"Fame" by David Bowie/"Dancing in the Street" by David Bowie and Mick Jagger
FD: Robin Hood soundtrack including "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams
Choreographers: Marie-France Dubreuil, Romain Haguenauer

 

[jmtfti]

A weird quirk of the "covers are allowed this season" rule is that this means certain songs will have appeared in rhythm dances in two consecutive seasons, a la the Jagger/Bowie "Dancing in the Street"...

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik (USA)
RD: Jive Talkin, Staying Alive, You Should Be Dancing (all remixes)

Per Emilea on the Off(ice) Hours podcast

 

[Karen-W]

Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik (USA)
RD: Jive Talkin, Staying Alive, You Should Be Dancing (all remixes)

Per Emilea on the Off(ice) Hours podcast

Boo. Disco is the worst.

 

[litenkyckling]

Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik (USA)
RD: Jive Talkin, Staying Alive, You Should Be Dancing (all remixes)

Per Emilea on the Off(ice) Hours podcast

I know they’ve branched out with the FD but why does any team take advice from Igor Sphilband? The man has 0 original ideas

 

[Rhumba d’Amour]

Boo. Disco is the worst.

When the RD theme was announced, my first thought was that, great, we will have wall-to-wall dances set to You Should be Dancin, Yeah.

Earlier today, I watched the RD at the very first JGP of the season. The first couple skated to—wait for it—You Should be Dancin, Yeah.

 

[Frau Muller]

Boo. Disco is the worst.

When will these mid-20thC Dance Parties end? I would like Waltzes, paso dobles, polkas, tangos, jive, quickstep, etc. Arthur Murray tunes, with traditional ballroom music…not fake “disco paso.” It’s what made ballroom and ice dance great and unique.

 

[wouldacoulda]

When will these mid-20thC Dance Parties end? I would like Waltzes, paso dobles, polkas, tangos, jive, quickstep, etc. Arthur Murray tunes, with traditional ballroom music…not fake “disco paso.” It’s what made ballroom and ice dance great and unique.

Anything but the Hickory Hoedown is fine by me!

 

[peibeck]

I don't forsee RDs going back to the more "classic" themes as long as the ISU thinks "dance parties" and their ilk may go viral and get a few more eyes on ice skating.

 

[litenkyckling]

I don't forsee RDs going back to the more "classic" themes as long as the ISU thinks "dance parties" and their ilk may go viral and get a few more eyes on ice skating.

The pursuit to make things go viral is something I wish they’d just give up. You can’t contrive this stuff - it just happens. They need to hire some staff under the age of 25. You can’t reach a desired audience if you don’t work with and listen to them!