Ice Theatre of New York's 2024 Benefit Gala honoring Davis/White, Belbin/Agosto, Bezic, Blumberg (May 6) & Home Season shows (May 3-4)

[Sylvia]

The Ice Theatre of New York's 2024 Benefit Gala and Performance will take place on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 6:30 pm at Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers in NYC: https://www.icetheatre.org/2024-benefit-gala-and-performance.html
Performance, Cocktails, Dinner (The Lighthouse Chelsea Piers) and Award Ceremony
The Gala Performance will feature the ITNY Ensemble and guest artists Ilia Malinin and Oona & Gage Brown (May 6th only)
Honorees: Olympians Meryl Davis & Charlie White and Tanith Belbin White & Ben Agosto
Choreography Award: Sandra Bezic
Alumni Award: Judy Blumberg

Phil Hersh's celebration of Belbin/Agosto and Davis/White (April 29):

They sparked two decades of U.S. ice dance excellence — Globetrotting by Philip Hersh

Not long after Ben Agosto switched from singles skating to ice dance at age 10, he faced up to the reality that winning medals on a global stage might be impossible for a U.S. ice dancer. Why wouldn’t he think that way, given the evidence? After all, one of his first coaches, Sus

www.globetrottingbyphiliphersh.com

At its May 6 annual gala, the Ice Theatre of New York is honoring both Belbin and Agosto and Davis and White “not only for their accomplishments as artistic Olympians and national champions but also as important role models in our ‘icy’ world,” according to Moira North, ITNY founder and artistic director.
“In thinking about what this honor means,” Davis said, “I found myself so grateful that it really gives me the chance to reflect on our competitive career as well as all of the special moments that I don't always get to remember on a daily basis - and to think about all of the people who were part of our journey that I don't get to see or speak with frequently.

“The success Tanith and Ben had sparked a whole generation,” said White, who married Belbin in 2015. “When they won their first (worlds medal), it was like a spark of amazement and excitement.
“It happened just as Meryl and I were about to step up to the senior level. It definitely created a sense of hope as an American ice dancer that if you worked your tail off, you would be rewarded.”

Sandra Bezic retrospective by Lynn Rutherford: https://icetheatre.org/sandra-bezic,-choreography-award.html

“I started working just as skating was becoming so popular in North America. Living through that in the ‘80s and ‘90s, being around when the phone just never stopped ringing, I learned on the job, and one job would inform the next. I would take what I learned and apply it …. I love the process, I love to figure things out.”
For “jobs” ranging from countless programs for top skaters, to film and TV productions including Carmen on Ice and Battle of the Blades, to touring productions, Ice Theatre of New York honors Bezic with its 2024 Choreography Award.
“Sandra is one of the most intelligent, prolific and successful ice choreographers of our time,” says ITNY founder Moira North. “We are so honored to bestow this award.”

“My style is to peel back to find the essence of who I’m working with, instead of adding on and on,” she says. “And the rules today are sort of, the more you move around, and the more you do things, the more points you get.” [...]
“There’s always a way to create something fresh,” Bezic says. “The unknown excites me, and I think that’s why I’ve last so long and had such a variety of experiences.”

Judy Blumberg article by Lois Elfman: https://icetheatre.org/judy-blumberg-alumni-honoree-article.html

ITNY led to a most unexpected and wonderful partnership for Blumberg. After Yorke decided to coach full-time, co-ensemble director Douglas Webster asked her to skate with him in a piece. She questioned the pairing of an ice dancer and a free skater, but Webster pushed her to try.
“It ended up being a beautiful collaboration on ‘Appalachia Waltz’ with JoAnna Mendl Shaw and Douglas being the co-choreographers,” she said. “It was very much a signature piece for us and Ice Theatre at the time.
“My greatest gift was being able to work with Douglas,” she added. “In ‘Appalachia Waltz’ I felt so strongly about what this piece was, how I felt when I was in it and the passion I had for performing with him and the music.
“It was such a wonderful feeling to know that my work with Michael was fantastic and amazing, and it would continue to morph and change and be just as magical with someone else.”

ITNY's regular Home Season Performance shows will also feature the ITNY Ensemble and guest artists at 7 pm on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4: https://www.icetheatre.org/2024-home-season-performances.html

 

[Sylvia]

The Future of Figure Skating podcast - Anna Kellar converses with Sandra Bezic (Part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzGJZXclx8k

In this episode, part 1 of my conversation with choreographer, director, and producer Sandra Bezic. With her brother Val, Sandra was a four-time Canadian pairs champion and competed in the 1972 Olympics. She is most well known, however, as a choreographer and the creative force behind many skating shows and TV programs. She has choreographed for champions like Brian Boitano, Kurt Browning, Katarina Witt, Lu Chen, and Tara Lipinski. Most recently, she made Lindsay Thorngren’s short program for the 23/24 season. She was the director of Stars on Ice for many years, and collaborated with David Wilson on Yuna Kim’s All That Skate and Javier Fernandez’s Revolution on Ice. Sandra also produced the Canadian TV program Battle of the Blades and in 2023 made the series “I Have Nothing” alongside comedian Carolyn Taylor. Sandra has a unique understanding of how to make skating appeal to general audiences, and we had a great conversation about choreography, entertainment, and the changes she’d like to see in the sport.

 

[Sylvia]

3 fan cams from last night's show...

Ilia Malinin's "Hope" by NF (choreo. by Tommy Steenberg): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFoHt89Lg4A

Oona & Gage Brown's RD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztdx2nj2mVw

Liz Yoshiko Schmidt's "Butterfly Phase": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H6pviB9EcQ

 

[Sylvia]

Photos of the ITNY Home Season show performers by Amy Krut (rehearsals before the first show):

Ice Theatre of New York on Instagram: "Our Home Season begins in one hour!!! Here are some behind the scenes photos, see you there! Get your tickets now at the link in bio. Photo Credit Amy Krut Makeup Provided by @maccosmetics"

103 likes, 1 comments - icetheatreofny on May 3, 2024: "Our Home Season begins in one hour!!! Here are some behind the scenes photos, see you there! Get your tickets now at the link in bio. Ph...".

www.instagram.com

By Josef Pinlac and Amy Krut:

Ice Theatre of New York on Instagram: "Photos from Last Night's Home Season, get your tickets now for tonight's show! Link in bio for tickets! Makeup @maccosmetics Photo Credit @istillheartnewyork and Amy Krut"

94 likes, 2 comments - icetheatreofny on May 4, 2024: "Photos from Last Night's Home Season, get your tickets now for tonight's show! Link in bio for tickets! Makeup @maccosmetics Photo Cred...".

www.instagram.com

By Robert Dea (both sets):

Ice Theatre of New York on Instagram: "More photos from our Home Season! Photo Credit @bobdeaphoto Makeup @maccosmetics"

91 likes, 0 comments - icetheatreofny on May 5, 2024: "More photos from our Home Season! Photo Credit @bobdeaphoto Makeup @maccosmetics".

www.instagram.com

Taken on Friday, May 3, 2024:

Robert Dea on Instagram: "ITNY Home Season Performance - Friday - 5/3/24 On Friday night I was at the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers to capture the engaging and beautiful performance of the ITNY Home Season. I will be back on Monday night for the not-to-b

42 likes, 7 comments - bobdeaphoto on May 5, 2024: "ITNY Home Season Performance - Friday - 5/3/24 On Friday night I was at the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers to capture the engaging and beauti...".

www.instagram.com

ETA:

By Derek French for Shutterstock:

Derek French on Instagram: "Ilia Malinin, 2024 World Champion Figure Skater, performs during the 2024 Ice Theatre of New York’s Performances and Benefit Gala at Chelsea Piers Sky Rink in Manhattan, New York on May 6th, 2024. For @shutterstocknow #

17 likes, 0 comments - derek_c_french on May 7, 2024: "Ilia Malinin, 2024 World Champion Figure Skater, performs during the 2024 Ice Theatre of New York’s Performances and Benefit Gala at Ch...".

www.instagram.com

 

[apgold]

3 fan cams from last night's show...

Ilia Malinin's "Hope" by NF (choreo. by Tommy Steenberg): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFoHt89Lg4A

Oona & Gage Brown's RD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztdx2nj2mVw

Liz Yoshiko Schmidt's "Butterfly Phase": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H6pviB9EcQ

Thanks for sharing my videos!

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks very much for filming them, @apgold, and welcome to FSU!

“Home Season Video Coming Soon!”:

Ice Theatre of New York on Instagram: "Home Season Video Coming Soon! Filmed & Edited by Jordan Cowan, @oniceperspectives Lighting Designer @chrisliparievents Makeup @maccosmetics"

62 likes, 0 comments - icetheatreofny on May 10, 2024: "Home Season Video Coming Soon! Filmed & Edited by Jordan Cowan, @oniceperspectives Lighting Designer @chrisliparievents Makeup @maccosme...".

www.instagram.com