Ice Charades

Worst Ice Skater Ever?

2012-01-31T05:02:00.010-05:00

I may have held the title of worst pair skater for a while - sorry Charles - but not the worst ice skater. That was the name of this skit by the group Improv Anywhere in cooperation with Ice Theatre of New York and performed by Kenny Moir.

Have you ever heard of these Improv Anywhere guys?

You should.

I've got to say I'm a huge fan and while this is cute, it is one of their weaker videos, IMHO.

If you have a few hours to kill on the internet, I suggest you go to their website and take in some of the their best videos.

They've got the Frozen Grand Central Station, The Best Buy prank, The Food Court Musical, The Star Wars Subway Car, or one of my personal favorites, Carousel Horse Race. But there are dozens and dozens of clever videos. The Wedding, Where's Rob, and the latest, No Pants Subway Ride.

A lot of their stunts happen in New York City, but like the name says, "anywhere", so be prepared in case you find yourself in the middle of the Improv.

By the way, the best skating comedy ever? IMHO, that would be Kirk Wyse in Holiday On Ice in 1986.

He was such a terrific skater, that his whole program could have been entertaining skated as normal. But halfway through he took a tremendous "fall" that had him landing in the lap of some unsuspecting (or were they expecting it?) audience member.

Everyone gasps, he gets up and is okay, and then continues on with his routine. Then a light falls from the ceiling almost flattening him. Then part of his costume falls off and by this time you know it's a comedy and you're excited to see what comes next.

Unfortunately, this routine is not on You Tube. (I spent quite a while trying to track it down too, but alas.) I did find that he teaches at Amherst Skating Club in New York. (Maybe if he hears of this post, he'll send me the video - yeah, maybe.)

I think Kirk is more well known for is his rendition of Charlie Chaplin in Ice Capades, complete with his dog. No one has done Chaplin better. I tried to find that video too.

Hey Kirk, if you're out there ... call me.

Shopping for a new pair of shoes?

2012-01-26T04:44:00.009-05:00

How about these?

They'll run you a little less than $1500, that's all. What does a new pair of custom Harlicks cost these days? You get the blades included here.

I don't know why but I immediately thought Oksana might like these.

Strange blade configuration, but just think, if you took them out on a slippery, ice sidewalk, you'd get to work a little faster, no?

5 Songs You Should Never Skate To ..... Ever

2012-01-19T04:18:00.005-05:00

... no matter how catchy or beautiful the melody.

I thought of this post last night when my husband was humming the little ditty "all the other kids with the pumped up kicks ..." by Foster The People. It's a catchy tune and I had neither listened to nor understood the lyrics. Then my husband filled me in.

So, here are the five songs, in no particular order:

1. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People

I'll let the great Wikipedia tell you why this boppy little ditty refers to homicidal thoughts of our delusional youth. Just best to stay clear of this altogether. Which brings me to the father song of homicidal youth ...

2. Jeremy by Pearl Jam

I love this song, but there can be no doubt how dark this song is. Enough said.

3. Mack The Knife by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht

This was originally called "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" in Threepenny Opera. It has been covered by many, joked about by Steve Martin and even MacDonalds, but the lyrics talk about a man who robs, rapes, and murders. Again, better to stay away.

4. Tomorrow Belongs To Me by John Kander and Fred Ebb from Cabaret

This is a beautiful hymm that any country would be glad to have for its own national anthem, except for one fact - it symbolizes Nazi Youth. Deal breaker, right there.

5. Loser by Beck

Unless you have the comic chops of Scott Hamilton, Kurt Browning or their ilk AND you use this song as an exhibition number for the coveted medalist performances on the Sunday after the competition.

Do you know of any songs that wouldn't be obvious right away?

A Swearing Contest?

2012-01-11T05:08:00.003-05:00

Did Xan just challenge me to a swearing contest?

Don't get it confused with her T-Shirt Contest right here.

There's some cross-promotion, right there.

So, if it is swearing you want ... how about my new favorite song. I just discovered it from the fabulous Wii - Just Dance 3 (please don't tell my daughter that what she's dancing to is not the original version).

The song is so fun and boppy, someone described it as Motown mixed with early, angry Eminem. You may have seen the cleaned-up version on Glee or the Grammys with Gwyneth Paltrow, but I suggest you go straight to the video. So cute - a little like "Little Shop of Horrors" loaded with F-bombs.

So, if you laughed at the owl, I hope you'll laugh at Cee Lo Green's official video for his hit - F**k You.

Enjoy!

Resolution for 2012

2012-01-04T04:38:00.005-05:00

Xanboni has inspired me to write down some goals for this blog for the new year. I'm impressed with all she has set out to do and I'm looking forward to the new website.

So, can Ice Charades stick to a New Years Resolutions this time? How did last year's goal go? Let's see ... my goal was to swear more. And truth be told, I sucked at it, didn't I?

Well, fuck it, let's try something new.

But I just got carried away with this photo and couldn't help myself. And let's be honest, it is so much funnier when you say "the rest of the fucking owl" isn't it?

The picture is by Alexia Tsotsis, and the explanation on why it is so hard to become an expert comes from Ben Casnocha's blog, and I discovered the whole thing via the Daily Dish.

So for 2012, my resolution this year is to get more followers. Not sure if I have to steal them from another, more obscure blog, come up with an obnoxious contest to win you over or hijack the comment's section of another skating blog and shamelessly beg.

But perhaps the best way to get more followers is to write better, funnier posts. At least something kind of clever ... well hopefully, sort-of, maybe/kinda witty. I promise not to post another Ice Capades Reunion notice and then skate away. No more job vacancy posts without some chatty banter and insight included.

Please keep checking back, please sign up to follow me. And I'll say it again

Happy Hell of a New Year!

Here's to a Happy 2012

2011-12-15T14:45:00.008-05:00

It was one year ago since I've been skating. I never thought I'd actually skate in Panama - not much of a skating tradition there. Years earlier, they put a sheet of ice in a shopping mall, but it didn't catch on. Somehow the marketing and the mood was better last year when they installed the ice at the mall down the street from me.

But I never thought that the last time I went to skate, they'd have Panama's equivalent of "The Today Show" using the ice as a backdrop and then Panama's equivalent of Matt Lauer asking if he could interview me.

Panama's Matt Lauer, Alex

"In Spanish?" I asked in Spanish while I made a funny face.

"Don't worry, in Spanish and in English," he replied in English.

Sure, why not. It was unfortunate that I hadn't performed in fourteen years and I was quite rusty. Couldn't skate more than forty seconds without getting winded.

But I did my best. Here's the part where I show the kids how to do swizzles.

How cool is it that I got the chyron treatment, Jenny - Patinadora Profesional Sobre Hielo? That translates to Jenny - Professional Ice Skater, if your Spanish is as bad as mine (used to be).

It's hard to top a skating day like that when you get interviewed on national television and it is part of why I haven't skated since. I could leave it there and feel good about my quasi-career in ice shows.

But that's the problem with ice shows and skating in general. It is hard to walk (shall I say skate?) away for the last time.

So if I skate again, you'll be the first to know. But regardless, here's to a great 2012 for everyone.

Happy New Year!

Don, we now our (are) gay

2011-12-15T14:40:00.006-05:00

... apparel. And I'm not talking about my friend's new blue-suade skates. They are so gay.

But they are so cooooool!

Well, last year I got an Xmas card from a guy I skated with twelve years before that. He was about to get married and I skated in two shows with him and his then girlfriend-soon-to-be-wife.

They got married, years later they got divorced, and to this day my friend is still single. (The ex-wife got remarried, had kids, and I think all is good with her.)

So, I must say I was surprised when I opened his annual Xmas card and this time it was from him and his friend, let's say Steve*.

*not his real name

Then I was not so surprised, because I felt he was happy again. Ready to let everyone know. He certainly had a big smile in the picture.

An Ice Showgirl's Endorsement Deal

2011-12-07T04:53:00.004-05:00

I'm looking to score one, please.

I've seen other blogs, especially parenting blogs, and they get them. All sorts of fun stuff.

Xanboni got one for the Halo.

And it's that time of year when everyone's looking to buy a Xmas or Hanukkah gift.

Then I got to thinking and I'm not sure what products a showgirl could really get a leg up on, except for maybe Capezio or Danskin fishnets. Back in the day when I skated with HOI or in Japan, I couldn't buy them at a store, so they were coveted items, doled out once every six weeks or so.

That meant you had to treat them with great care. Throwing them away was not an option. Sewing up the holes was necessary, even though I was never good at it. See that post here. I outsourced that job.

I suppose that we could tell you all about false-eyelash glue. That probably wouldn't be too valuable for the once-or-twice-a-year wearing for your average party girl. But for models or strippers? I would especially endorse any glue that didn't give me a terrible rash.

But now that I think about it, I suspect the false-eyelash glue guys would prefer to talk to models or strippers instead.

No, what I think show skaters could really get behind is a luggage endorsement deal. Here that Samsonite? Tumi? Disney On Ice could tell you a thing or two. Holiday On Ice is lugging that suitcase up and down stairs, so they could tell you which bag keeps its wheels from falling off.

For any of you old enough to remember the gorilla vs. the suitcase commercial I bet a showgirl could do more damage. I've seen it when they were thrown onto the train.

You should take 30 seconds to watch the commercial, it will make you laugh, I swear.

So what do you say American Tourister? Got any samples you want some showgirls to kick around? Let me know.

Happy Holiday Shopping!

More Ice Shows

2011-12-02T05:13:00.003-05:00

Season's Greetings!

2011-12-01T08:34:00.002-05:00

December is here - the season can start! This is every showgirl's favorite holiday. Why? There were and are lots of holiday shows this time of year. Easy to get a job ... sometimes only for a couple months, but it was better than laying on the couch moping.

Nutcracker On Ice
Charles Schulz Christmas Show in Santa Rosa
Chicago Drury Lane Theater
Myrtle Beach
West Palm Beach, FL
Europa Park

and I'm sure I'm missing some, somewhere. Let's hope you get to see one before the year is over (or before something like January 8th or so).

Happy Holidays!

Speed ... not so fast

2011-11-18T05:15:00.010-05:00

Wait! Before you think this is a bad review of Holiday On Ice's world premiere of Speed, that which I railed on and on in my last post .... no. The skating and the choreographer was as good as any show I've seen lately.

In fact, one of the two male principals, Rohene Ward, was amazing. One of the best show skaters I've seen in two decades and the best part of the show for me.

Side note: I just spent an hour watching various You Tube videos of his skating and I'm more and more impressed. He can do all of his double jumps in both directions!! No one I know can do that ... he's the only one I know that could have passed the ISI(A) Freestyle 10. His form is perfect and he spins like Craig Heath. I felt as if I saw traces of the late, great Robert Wagonhoffer mixed with the always great Toller Cranston. Wow, is all I can say.

Okay, okay, back to the review. Like I said the skating was very good. There were no dancers learning 3-turns on the ice as I feared. At one point the entire chorus did a scratch spin. It was a great effect when more than twenty skaters are spinning on every part of the ice.

For this old showskater, it was nice to see the endangered kickline and pinwheel. This show had a very creative take on the traditional pinwheel using either one of the largest props or the thinnest moving stage I've ever seen. It was used during the "Be Italian" number, from the play and movie "Nine", which doesn't make sense of Speed unless there are a couple of Ferraris or Lamborghinis out on the ice. Italy, not known for speed if you're talking government bureaucracy or getting lunch, but heh, it's a catchy song. It was a fun number.

And that is my main beef with the show: the theme Speed didn't hold up in the first half. I give you an example, the Speed of Nature. I know, you're probably thinking cheetahs. No, it was a party on the beach. Nothing says Speed like chillin' on the beach.

But the final two segments, Speed of Machines and Speed of Sport (I think, there was a speed skating element to it) got the audience going. With the lighting, the fireworks and the pulsing music, the show ended with a lot of pow! And my eight-year old thought it was the best thing she's ever seen. So there.

Got My Tickets

2011-11-07T05:26:00.010-05:00

... to Holiday On Ice, the world premiere of Speed. Then I went to the website to see a little of what the show is about.

And I continue with my theme of WTF?

Couple of things, folks ...

First off - check out the opening paragraph on the page I linked to above that describes the show.

The show concists of 10 chapters, starting with the Speed of Instinct. This part of the show is thrilling, wild, exciting and will work w have fire torches. after this spectacular introduction, a fun , athleticism and color consists of the traditional wheel and precision. The scene based on the Speed of City will be followed by Speed of Love, Speed of Nature and Speed of Money and demonstrate water, wind, funand a good sense of humor!

This sounds more like my daughter's 3rd grade science project. And check out the typos!!! It looks like it has been written by a 3rd grader.

Come on, HOI, I know you're now run by a European entertainment company, but didn't someone run the spell check in English? It's written in English (but not full sentences, unless you prefer the run-on or incomplete kind). It's not that hard to see what gets the red squiggly lines. Wow, that's really bad copy.

Second - the concept ... Speed. Okay, for skating, it's a good way to show what we can do that other performers can't. Go fast. It's a good way to distinguish us from, ahem, dancers. That's right, dancers, I'm talking about you.

So when the choreographer, who is not a skater but a dancer, says he is casting dancers for the show I spewed coffee through my nose. Are you fucking crazy? Aren't there enough skaters you can work with?

Has someone not pointed the choreographer to the PFSC?

No, Miss Ice Charades, they don't use those initials anymore because the first thing you get on Google is Pictures For Sad Children. They've changed it to ProSkaters.org.

It has hundreds of skaters posting their resumes and videos of, oh, I don't know, SKATING. You could use them instead of taking "strong, confident" dancers showing up in Amsterdam for the day because they couldn't make it for the Michael Jackson "This Is It" audition. Oh, but you say the dancers are going to learn to skate. Again, WTF?

I'd love to see the rest of the video that shows them learning to do swizzles and work their way up to a 3-turn. Aaaggh.

If you don't know some skating moves, Mr. Choreographer, guess what ... we skaters can dance too. It's been done before in ice shows, it can be done again. Just ask Kristi Yamaguchi.

Okay, I know the choreographer is not a skater, that's been done a lot before too, but let's keep skating in the ice show and let dancers dance where they can ... which is all over any flat surface in theaters, in music videos, in rock concerts, in amusement parks that don't want to pay for ice, etc etc.

I just paid 90 euros (or $123) for 2 tickets to watch dancers skate? Oh, Miss Ice Charades is not happy. Not at all.

WTF?

2011-10-31T06:18:00.011-04:00

Now that I've got your attention - can someone help me out here?

So, I'm watching the exhibition numbers from Skate Canada on Eurosports yesterday ... first thing, exhibition programs and Canada are neither Euro nor sports, but anyway ... I have to say congratulations to all of the medalists, including Patrick Chan.

He did a lovely show program, but he was in - what-looked-like a U.S. Marine Corps uniform holding and a mop - and I've got to say, WTF?

Here's a YouTube link to the same program done for Artistry on Ice.

See that Marine wearing his Dress Blues on the far right? That was Patrick Chan, minus the hat, but holding a mop.

Maybe I should be more P.C. and just ask why? He's a Canadian wearing a U.S. uniform. I find that odd, do you?

Then I've got to ask, why a mop? I don't associate Marines with mopping too much. Usually it's the guys who are first in or guarding an embassy kind of thing.

Full Disclosure: Most of the marines I've encountered were during my time working for the U.S. State Department, and I always found it honorable, but a touch troubling that they would be willing to give their life for a stranger like me - just a temporary contractor plugging in computers at the embassies for a week or two - at any moment.

So maybe they're Marines that mop, but that's not the first thing that comes to mind with Semper Fi.

So, I'm not sure what to think. Is he honoring a US Marine? Did I miss that part (I was watching a German broadcast, after all). Was he picking up on the spirit of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC, that was held the same day?

Or was he just late to a Halloween party and needed to save time?

Casting for a Male Soloist

2011-10-26T05:17:00.004-04:00

Florida in December sounds nice and warm to me!

CASTING FOR MALE SOLOIST FOR WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA 2011.

"MUSICAL MOMENTS ON ICE"
DATES:
DEC. 16TH, 17TH & 18TH 90 MINUTE SHOWS.= 5 TO 6 SHOWS
REHEARSAL STARTS = DEC. 10TH. TO DEC.15TH.

"CHRISTMAS ON ICE"
DEC. 22ND. =45 MINUTES SHOW. 1 SHOW
REHEARSAL STARTS = DEC. 19TH., 20TH. & 21TH.

ICE SKATING SURFACE 30' FEET X 40' FEET

PLEASE SEND IMMEDIATELY A CURRENT VIDEO LINK, PHOTOS & RESUME

ACCOMMODATIONS & TRANSPORTATION IN THE USA INCLUDED.

FOR QUESTIONS YOU MAY CALL 561-436-0128

Best Regards,
Rosstyn & Laurilee Gudino

Ice Shows and Nudity

2011-10-19T05:49:00.009-04:00

Did that get your attention?

I'm not going to talk about "Nudes On Ice", or as the cast referred to themselves in "Boobs on Cubes" that took place in Las Vegas in the late 80s. Technically, that show wasn't nude, just topless, and curiously, the "skaters" who were topless, weren't skaters at all. They were bitter showgirls forced to learn to skate to retain some kind of a paycheck!

I'm glad that I never had to decide whether I would skate topless in a show, because I'm not sure what I would have done. To bare or not to bare - either way there were disadvantages.

the disadvantage to not bare - not getting paid as much
the disadvantage to bare - having grandchildren some day

I think I could have gotten used to my boobs being on parade, since I did shows other shows where my butt was hanging out for all to see (sorry about that Grandma!).

Okay, Miss Ice Charades, let's talk about whether anyone would have paid to see your boobs. Yes, you make a good point.

But back to the nudity, in so many backstages of so many shows, they were anything but private. This was a world with male stagehands, who were, I think, predominently straight, who could easily catch us in progress from one costume to the next.

All of skaters got used to it. There was no point in protesting the situation, because you might just make it worse for yourself.

So this past weekend, I got to thinking about nudity again, when we had our first German sauna experience. No bathing suits allowed.

I would be lying if I said I was comfortable hanging out completely naked with all of the other sauna enthusiasts. In northern Europe and Scandinavia, this is normal, btw. I used to do it all the time without caring too much ... what was different this time?

Then it hit me.

This time I and my skating co-workers wersn't the only ones on display. Seeing everyone else hanging out in the nude made me think I preferred it the old way.

Want to skate in Japan?

2011-10-17T04:49:00.003-04:00

IMMEDIATELY CASTING FOR JAPAN
ONE GIRL SOLOIST OR BOY SOLOIST
MUST HAVE A TRIPLE OR DOUBLE AXEL
MUST BE ABLE TO PERFORM ON A 200 X 85 ICE SURFACE
2 TO 3 SOLOIST NUMBERS
NOV. 20, NOV. 23 & NOV. 27
2 SHOWS PER DAY
20 MINUTES EXHIBITION SHOWS
ALL MEALS, HOTELS & TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED
CALL ROSSTYN AT: 561- 436-0128

Why Figure Skating is GREAT

2011-10-06T04:44:00.005-04:00

If you ever have a day when you don't want to get on the ice or worse, you just want to quit ... Ryan Jahnke has a great pep talk for you on MySkatingMall.com.

On the blog, he's written a superb article that covers all the bases and asks everyone what they think. Don't miss it ... click here.

It's easy to understand why skating champions think figure skating is great, because it has been great for them, but my favorite reasoning comes from a quote of a teenage skater:

“Figure skating teaches you a lot about life itself even before you get out there. This sport is like a roller coaster, and so is life. You have your ups, and your downs. There will always be people who want to see you rise, and there are always people who want to see you fall. How you deal with these falls is how you succeed. This concept applies in life itself. You face this problem everyday of your life, and you face this problem everyday in skating. In skating though, you literally fall, but you have to get back up and keep going. You cannot look back, or feel sorry that you fell, you just got to get up and keep going. You have to get up and try again. THIS is why I love figure skating.” -Casey Yee

You have to get up and try again.

I have to remind myself of that when I'm quick to give up on other things ... try again.

Thanks Ryan!

A Salute To The Ladies Of The Ice

2011-10-03T04:32:00.004-04:00

Miki Ando, Tara Lipinski, Nancy Kerrigan, Sasha Cohen, Sarah Hughes, Nicole Bobek, Joannie Rochette, Yuka Sato, and Irina Slutskaya all saluting Peggy Fleming.

Well, not like soldiers, but skating in her honor.

If you can get to Atlantic City on December, 3rd, you may want to get tickets for this event. Click here to order them from Caesar's in Atlantic City.

Randy Gardner will choreograph and direct, so there will be some tricky footwork, no doubt.

There are a LOT of great skaters confirmed ... so, don't fret if you can't see it live, it will air nationally on NBC from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. ET on New Year's Day. Set the DVRs!

Another NFL Cheerleader comes from the pros

2011-09-25T11:03:00.004-04:00

... professional skating that is.

May I introduce you to Molly Quigley Moenkhoff of the Tennessee Titans. Go here for another article by Lois Elfman on icenetwork.com.

Okay, now if anymore beautiful buxom showskaters turn into NFL cheerleaders, Miss Ice Charades is going to get very depressed!

Okay, seriously though, I applaud their skills, as both skater and cheerleader. Here's a rundown of her skating chops:

As an amateur, she paired with Bert Cording, and the duo trained with coaches Bill Fauver and Laura Sanders. She and Cording competed internationally.

Then she turned pro in 2003 skating on cruise ships for Bietak Productions and park shows for Karen Kresge as a soloist. There was also Broadway on Ice, working alongside Olympic gold medalists Dorothy Hamill and Brian Boitano.

Then in 2010 she returned to her pairs roots as a pro on the British television show Dancing on Ice, which pairs celebrities with professional skaters. The show stars ice dancing legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and is massively popular.

Very impressive. The Titans, themselves, wish they could perform that well!

Show Skater Turns Cheerleader

2011-09-12T12:48:00.004-04:00

Samantha Vonsiatsy has joined the Panthers NFL team! And boy, is she busy.

I bet her skating skills will make for a great cheerleader.

In 2004, she auditioned for Willy Bietak Productions and left for her first show aboard the cruise ship contract Mariner of the Seas. She continued as a soloist with Holiday On Ice's Mystery for two more years.

You can read the whole article here by Lois Elfman on Icenetwork.com.

Aaah, is everyone happy now that football's back?

Did anyone go to the Reunion?

2011-09-08T06:00:00.005-04:00

My kind of town, Chicago is.

Did you get to the Ice Capades reunion last weekend? I'd love to hear about it ...

Any "Nooksters" Out There?

2011-08-27T10:47:00.003-04:00

Well, Ice Charades has made it to Germany, but I won't have steady internet access until the middle of September. I'll try my best to post something in the meantime, so I don't go the way of pimentoloaf.com.

In the meantime, I was wondering if there are any others out there with a Nook that would like to be "friends"? I just got one and love it! If we become friends, we can share books. I've got a free copy of Ice Charades to lend ... email me, if you are interested.

Ice Charades is Moving

2011-08-03T09:55:00.002-04:00

... to Hamburg, Germany, and may not be able to post for a while. Tomorrow the whole apartment gets packed up and then I'll not get to my final destination for two weeks.

Yep, we're moving again, so I won't have a lot of internet access. I'll try my best to pop in with some kind of ice show reunion update or unnecessary costume malfunction anecdote. So please don't forget about me. You know you need that info!

Have a great end of the summer and check back in two weeks!

Six Questions for a Skater - Nora Chin

2011-08-01T08:45:00.001-04:00

Ice Charades is proud to present Nora Chin, showskater extraordinaire turned college co-ed.

It does happen, you know.

Some of you may know her as the daughter of our favorite coach turned blogger, Xanboni!

Nora is twenty-two years young and passed the trifecta of Senior Freestyle, Moves, and Dance.

Wow.

While that's a mighty fine resume to bring to a Disney On Ice audition, she also competed on the national stage before turning into the princess who saved China.

She started skating when she was three, after going on a school field trip and never looked back. After graduating from high school she decided to take a year off to do a show, and that year turned into three.

She traveled all over the world, except Africa, and loved every minute of it!

Now she's going to school full time and teaching skating at a local rink.

And without further ado, my interview with Nora:

1. Which shows did you skate in and for how long?

I skated with Disney On Ice on the show "Princess Wishes" for three years.

2. Where were your favorite places on the road?

My favorite places I've been are... everywhere! Anywhere new and different is amazing, but I suppose if I had to choose I'd say New Zealand and Japan were my favorites. New Zealand is awesomely beautiful. I visited a lot of the places they filmed the Lord of the Rings movies and got to see some amazing landscapes. It's a great country for road trips! Japan has the most interesting culture of any place I've been. The shops there are all very unique, too, so there are always almost one-of-a-kind souvenirs to get! Also, the taxi doors open on their own! It was very cool. When I got home it took me a while to remember I had to open car doors on my own!

3. What was your favorite number in the show?

I had two favorite numbers. One was the "Be Our Guest" number because it was more of a precision number and you got to be really over the top happy in it. We had contests to see who could be the most cheesy!

The other was the Cinderella ball number because I was one of the evil step-sisters and I got to do a lot of fun pratt falls and goofy stuff like that.

4. How long have you been away from skating in a show?

I've been off the road for almost exactly one year!

5. Do you miss skating? Which part of the show do you miss?

Well I still skate for myself, but I do miss performing. It's really fun to put on a costume and all that makeup and just go crazy out there. Skating for other people is just super fun! I also miss the other skaters on the show. Everyone on shows is really lively and fun to hang out and party with.

6. Do you have any skating dreams, goals and/or nightmares?

I haven't had any skating dreams recently, but not long after I quit the show I had a dream that I was late for a show. The dream was just me racing to the arena and performing three shows like a normal show day!

Right now I mostly skate for exercise and because I enjoy it quite a lot, but I am working on my International Dances as well, and plan to test some next month. I'd like to get back some jumps and jump combos I used to have when I was training as well.

T-shirts for Sale

2011-07-28T18:26:00.003-04:00

These t-shirts would look very nice at the upcoming Mini Ice Capades Reunion in Chicago over Labor Day!

Sun Valley folks!

2011-07-26T12:31:00.002-04:00

ProSkaters will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday evening immediately following the conclusion of our annual seminar.

LOCATION: Indoor rink at Sun Valley Skating Center

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, July 27, 2011- approximately 8:45 p.m. following the conclusion of the ProSkaters' seminar.

Miss Ice Charades really wishes she could go to the meeting, but mostly wishes she could get to Sun Valley someday!

Tour de France - A Primer

2011-07-21T10:03:00.006-04:00

Okay skating fans, buckle up, because I'm giving you a tutorial on the race, in case you ever wondered why so many would get excited about spending twenty-one days, three or more hours at a time, watching guys ride a bike.

Yes, Ms. Charades, when you put it like that it does seem boring.

Nope, not at all. And here's why:

1. The scenery - it is beautiful, especially from here on out. They're racing in the Alps for the next three days and on Sunday, they will be in Paris. It you have a nice HDTV, consider this a poor man's European vacation. (Wine and cheese sold separately.)

2. The strategy- it isn't just about the winner of the yellow jersey. While that is the overall winner after all of the races, a.k.a. stages.

But there is always a contest going on for who will win that day, who will win in the sprint category (green jersey), who will win climbing the mountains (a.k.a. King of the Mountain, in the red and white polka dot jersey), and who is the best rider under the age of 25 (white jersey). Yes, while under 25 is quittin' time for figure skaters, it is "young" in racing.

This sport favors maturity and experience. It favors endurance (drugs), training (drugs), and team tactics (more drugs).

That is what is so disheartening if you're a fan of this sport. At some point you have to give in to the notion that MOST, if not close to ALL, of these guys are doping. It's a suspension of belief that the guy standing at the top of the podium was clean when the rest of the top ten were not.

Okay, back to the race.

Another incredible aspect of pro cycling is the notion of domestique riders. Their sole purpose in the race is to help their best rider (called the GC rider - General Category) get up the hill and over the finish line faster. Can you imagine your pro career being all for someone else's benefit? That's how they roll.

Why are they so important? Drafting, that's why. The rider at the front of the race has to break the wind and it takes a lot more energy. Think of when you see birds flying in "V" formation, they are riding the slipstream to conserve energy.

I think this quote best explains why domestiques are crucial to winning the Tour:

It is team tactics which so often win or lose races - and the lieutenants and the dog soldiers who expend their energy blocking chasing moves when they have riders up the road in a position to win. It is they who ride out into the wind so their aces can get an easier ride tucked inside their wheel [close to the rider in front and in his shelter]. Rare indeed is the major victory that cannot be credited in large part to the groundwork laid by the domestiques

Yeah, dog soldiers. Kind of like the chorus in an ice show. Without us expending our energy in some ten-minute, drawn-out production number as trees or Smurfs or something, the principal wouldn't get to soak up all of the applause in their two-minute solo, free of any scratchy, migraine-inducing "skin" or headgear.

("Skin" is the industry term for being engulfed inside a costume. Think amusement park characters.)

Bitter much, Ms. Charades?

Yeah, sorry about that. I shouldn't be bitter. Dressing up as a tree isn't so bad when you get to do it in another state or country the next time.

Enjoy the race, kids. Today will be gorgeous scenery and probably the most exciting stage yet.

Is The Best Skater Already Alive?

2011-07-14T10:20:00.006-04:00

... meaning the best skater that will ever be ... not someone thirty or ninety years from now.

If you think about it, that's kind of depressing and cool all at the same time.

I ask this, based on an article I read, via the Daily Dish on the website Grantland, asking whether we are approaching the fastest times humanly possible for the 100-meter dash. Right now Usain Bolt, pictured above, is the fastest at 9.58.

The article written by Chuck Klosterman boils down the argument to this:

Is there an irrefutable dead end to the 100-meter dash? Is there a speed at which a human body would just break down and disintegrate, no different than a machine pushed beyond the capacity of its individual components? Some have been arguing "yes" for years. Reza Noubary, a professor of mathematics, computer science, and statistics at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, has estimated "with 95 percent confidence" that the ultimate time for the 100-meter dash is 9.44. [The current record, held by Usain Bolt, is 9.58 - a .37 improvement from 40 years ago.]

That number seems as good a guess as anything else. But if Noubary is correct, it would force us to accept a depressing, unreliable notion — it would essentially mean we're about 25 years away from the pinnacle of human performance. It would mean that most of us will see the fastest man that could ever exist within our own lifetimes.

So are we getting there with figure skating as well? Will we ever see quintuple jumps? A quad axel? There were some years when I wondered if we would ever see a women do a triple axel. But they got there.

Well, while we may never see a quintuple jump, skating has the creativity that track and field do not. To me, creativity will always improve, change, and adapt.

What do you think - quad axel? If so, predict what year.

Facebook Friends

2011-07-12T13:07:00.006-04:00

I'm now FB "friends" with Oksana Baiul.

Me and 2,164 other people. And counting. In a few more days, who knows?

If you ever wanted to be friends with an Olympic Champion ('94) - Oksana's your gal, or in other words, your soon-to-be-friend.

Now, I've posted before on the weird phenomenon that is getting to be friends with A-List skaters here or what Facebook taunts us with "People You May Know."

I ask you, could Oksana be the gateway skater to the rest of them?

When I noticed that my girlfriend, who had no connection to Oksana, was friend's with her, I knew I had a pretty good chance of being friends with her. And I do have a connection to Oksana - very tenuous, but ...

I got to push her in a sleigh during the '94 Nutcracker on Ice tour. But Oksana's skated with, worked with and met with thousands and thousands of people over the years, so she can't be expected to remember any of them.

But she's on a roll and by the weekend she could be friends with those thousands of people I just mentioned.

Another Ice Capades Reunion

2011-07-06T10:50:00.004-04:00

Mini-Reunion Chicago Labor Day Weekend - Sept 3-4, 2011

They don't seem to stop, do they?

Here are the details:

The venue for the Ice Capades mini reunion Saturday night cocktails will be at the Java Bar at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, 301 East North Water St., Chicago, IL 60611, Sat. Sept. 3rd, beginning at 7:00 pm.

Those joining us for the Odyssey Brunch Cruise – Sunday Sept. 4, 2011, boards at 11:15 am at the Navy Pier. Cost: $75.00 (group rate which payment must be sent to Ken by July 15th). Mail check to: Ken Shook, 140 Twinspur Close, Roswell, GA 30076.

The Sheraton Hotel is the host hotel for many of our guests. Hotel room group rates for this event are not available but room discounts are currently available 10%, 15%, 20% depending on number of days staying. Please follow this link.

Sheraton Hotel and Towers
301 East North Water Street
Chicago, IL
312 464-1000

The Tour starts Today!

2011-07-02T11:01:00.003-04:00

... you know where this ex-showgirl will plant her butt for the next three weeks. For the first summer in three years, we get the race on our cable channel.

Sweeeet!

I love seeing the beautiful towns and countryside in France as the bikers whiz by. This, to me, is the official start of summer.

For those of you in the US, the weekend of the 4th of July is synonymous with summer. However you celebrate this time of year, I hope it's a good one for you.

My New Favorite Website

2011-06-22T18:06:00.006-04:00

... is called The Guide to Sleeping in Airports and I only wish is that it had been around during my show skating days.

I'm sure many show skaters have had to do this often.

In fact, I skated in five different shows in Japan and only one of them paid for my ticket all they way from my home base. For the other shows, the producer said show up in Vegas or LA on your own and we'll fly you to Japan from there.

For anyone coming from the East Coast or Midwest, there was no way to get to LAX in time for the 1pm flight to Tokyo without staying overnight. For me, a hotel room and a cab or bus to get there was out of the question.

In fact, I left the airport in Minneapolis-St. Paul with my last $25 in my pocket. (It was 1989, so that could buy you a little more than today's bottle of water and a large bag of M&Ms.) And I had done the same park show the previous summer, so I knew once I got on the plane, there would be food. There would also be food waiting for us at the amusement park.

Otherwise I might have borrowed another $25 from my mom.

On that particular airport sleepover, two other skaters, from Hamilton, Ontario, also planned to spend the night in LAX. We hadn't met before, so I didn't realize we could have teamed up for night watch duty or something.

They got robbed that night (if you go to the website, you'll see that LAX is #4 on the Worst Airports of 2010!). Luckily my last $25 covered us all for breakfast the next morning.

So these tips -- alas, 22 years late -- are for you, Joyce and John, and the hope that no more figure skaters get robbed when sleeping in airports.

Tips for not getting robbed in your sleep

Separated At Birth?

2011-06-20T15:14:00.003-04:00

I was watching the two matches in yesterday's Gold Cup. The U.S. victory against Jamaica and then the El Salvador vs. Panama match up. And by then second overtime, it dawned on me that the goalie for Panama, Jaime Penedo, looks a lot like Evan Lysacek, don't you think?

Perhaps I have way too much time on my hands right now. Have a great week!

Good Art Won't Match Your Sofa

2011-06-17T16:33:00.012-04:00

Do you remember those t-shirts and totebags? I don't know who the artist is, but I remember seeing it in on the T-shirt of some barista in a coffee shop in the nineties. I think I spent half the nineties in a coffee shop somewhere, but anywho ....

Whether or not you agree with that statement, you would agree that somewhere in the Art Buyer's Manual you should at least see the painting before you buy.

Should.

But I didn't.

Let me back up for a minute: After living in Mexico City for two years without a car, I had a little spending money to kick around. Our neighbors rented out my unused parking space too. Money saved and money earned. Nice.

So my husband and I decided to buy a painting. Well actually, I came up with the idea and he agreed. After visiting Toller Cranston twice and seeing all of the paintings in his fabulous 15-bedroom villa, you come away wanting a painting. Trust me on this.

I should have bought something when we were visiting. Something that would fit in a carry-on, considering how often we move. Three times in six years. Three different countries. That would have been the smart thing to do.

Should have.

But I didn't.

So here's the thing if you're thinking of buying a painting from Toller - no computer. The only paintings he's done that you can see on-line are already in galleries. Such as the post from last week.

So, instead, when Toller tells you, "I know the perfect painting for you." You try to say no.

Should have said, "Let's talk about this, first."

But here's the other thing about Toller - he can move product. After another phone call and a couple of emails from his business manager, the painting was on its way.

So back to my original point: I bought something sight unseen. What if I didn't like it?

There are a few that I don't care for. And of course, my husband gave me that what-were-you-thinking look, but he didn't say anything.

Toller called twice to see if the painting had arrived before it did and it dawned on me that he too was nervous.

Good news - I do like the painting. There was no hesitation telling him how much I loved it when I called him back. He said it had come from his living room.

The painting is similar to this one and I hope to post it on-line one day, but right now it is unceremoniously hiding in its box in the storage room because we have no way to hang it here.

Good news again - we're moving soon. We don't know where yet. Two possibilities right now, so I'll let you know when we get the go-ahead.

I just hope that wherever we go there's a wall worthy (and a hook sturdy enough) of this painting.

Skating Live Remembered by Toller Cranston

2011-06-10T10:55:00.003-04:00

Toller Cranston is live and in-person at the Terence Robert Gallery in Ottawa, Canada today. Click here, to see wonderful examples of his work.

If you're in the area, stop in, say hello, buy a painting. Tell em' Ice Charades sent you.

The exhibition continues until June 27, but Toller will only be around for today and tomorrow. Though there are going to be lots of skaters crowding around him, since the Fans Of Toller Facebook page has gotten the word out.

ProSkaters Annual Show Skating Seminar

2011-06-06T10:41:00.003-04:00

Mark your calendar - ProSkaters will host its 6th Annual Show Skating Seminar on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 6:00 pm until 8:15 pm in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho.

The seminar if FREE for ProSkaters members.

Live Auditions to be held at ProSkaters Seminar; Annual Meeting set for Sun Valley

The ProSkaters Annual Seminar just became more valuable! Karen Kresge, of Woodstock Ice Productions and Sylvia Froescher, of Willy Bietek Productions, are two of the major producers who will be in Sun Valley conducting live auditions. Mark your calendar for July 27, 2011 to participate in ProSkaters 8th Annual Seminar. The seminar will include on-ice and off-ice programs and runs from 6:00 pm until 8:15 pm on Wednesday, July 27. Cost is FREE for members of ProSkaters. Others pay $75 with pre-registration ($90 at the door).
Highlights include:

Live auditions with top producers
On-ice and off-ice seminars
Creating a video resume
Signing a contract
Participate in mock interview & audition
Performing show tricks, adagio/pairs

And so much more!

Register for the seminar early to make certain that you have your spot reserved!

Today is 'The Day of Hazma'

2011-06-03T11:51:00.003-04:00

I don't normally talk about things other than figure skating.

Are you kidding me, Ice Charades. You're lucky if your post has anything to do with figure skating.

Okay, okay, very true. And because there is not much going on in the skating world these days, I want to turn you attention to a serious matter.

Today is the Day of Hazma and I hope it gets the Syrian government to sit up and take notice. Full disclosure: I went to Damascus, Syria for three weeks on a business trip back in 1999. I loved the country and the Syrians I met and worked with. They were wonderful. That's why I'm so concerned.

So, I'm hoping you'll take a moment to "like" the "We Are All Hamza" FB page and let's see what the internet can do.

Moscow Classical Ballet On Ice

2011-06-01T17:16:00.006-04:00

... is coming to Panama! It's coming soon and it will be across the street from my apartment. How convenient is that.

But the date on the ad above says May 28. That was the date given the second time it was mentioned in the local newspaper. The first time, there was no date listed. So I looked it up on line and it says June 5, 6, and 7. But then the next paper said postponed until June 9. What to believe?

Two weekends ago we went to a dance concert at the National Theater. The paper listed the performance starting at 6 pm. Online it said 7 pm. When we got to the theater, I asked the women at the box office and she said, "In twenty mintues." That would put the starting time at 6:30. For the record, the show started around 6:45.

I'm used to that now. It's a Caribbean thing, I'm guessing.

So I'm going to find out about the Moscow show the old-fashioned way. I have to keep my eyes peeled for the trucks and the compressors to roll in and then I'll know the ice show is in town. Luckily I can see that out of my window.

A Sad Day* for Cycling

2011-05-24T12:21:00.008-04:00

*technically that day was Sunday, but I was getting back from a long weekend away, so I wasn't able to blog about it until today ...

As you may know, Miss Ice Charades is a big fan of cycling and especially the Tour de France. From 2003 - 2008, I watched almost every day of the twenty-one day race. That's a lot of hours watching guys ride a bike when it was nice enough outside that I should have been riding my own bike. The only reason I didn't watch as closely these last two years is because I couldn't. That's how much I got sucked into the sport.

And while I'm still not the Aaron of Axels, Loops, and Spins of the cycling world, I do know enough about the race to make me dangerous in my analysis. So here I go with my opinion of the latest bombshell that was dropped on "60 Minutes" on Sunday.

Former US Postal Service teammate of Lance Armstrong, Tyler Hamilton, confessed to his own drug use and blood doping and implicated Lance in the same, as well as covering up a positive test in the Tour of Switzerland. What the papers often don't say is, Lance failed part A of the test, but part B, which is needed to claim he failed a drug test, was not conducted.

Anyone who follows the Tour de France closely has seen one rider after another implicated in cheating and it seems impossible that Lance was always clean. Four of his teammates have testified to federal authorities that he cheated. The lastest coming from his closest teammate George Hincapie, probably hurts the most.

And I don't want to see Lance taken down. Watching that episode on Sunday felt like watching a car crash in slow motion. If cycling is going to clean up its act, it looks like it is going to scorch a lot of earth along the way. It has to, because I think almost all of the top cyclists are guilty.

Excuse me, Miss Ice Charades, you know I always ask this, but what does this have to do with figure skating?

Thanks for asking. Two things -

1: I'm glad that figure skaters haven't been prone to these cheating scandals. Much like gymnasts and divers, figure skaters don't use performance enhancing drugs. Why? I think it's because they haven't invented one - yet - that enhances all the things skaters need like strength, endurance, agility, gracefulness and more.

2: This scandal is not unlike judging in figure skating. Many times, suspect judging ruins the credibility of the sport. Books have now been written exposing the many instances of judges being corrupt. That alters skaters entire lives. Think of gold medalists that didn't really earn it or more tragically, ones that should have been gold medalists but were denied specifically because of judging. I'm sure you can think of some names.

Tell me what you think - should judging in figure skating have a trial, the likes of the federal investigation?

Reunions Coming Up

2011-05-19T20:48:00.005-04:00

Here's the reminder run down - First up: Bermuda Cruise, June 18 - 23, 2011

It’s still not too late to join us on a cruise to Bermuda on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, departing from Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal, New Jersey. Call Wayne Rutledge, Expedia Cruise representative at 800-410-5451 to make your reservation, or if you have any questions, contact our Greg Bonin at 504-228-0915 (greyhoundgregory@aol.com) Join in on the fun.

Next - the Disney On Ice Reunion, Orlando on July 30, 2011

Still 186 people attending!

And clear out your Labor Day weekend if you live in the Chicago area and skated with Ice Capades. It's a mini-reunion.

Hey Gang:

Just a heads up to let you know I’m working on putting together a mini reunion in Chicago on Labor Day weekend. Will keep you posted on more details as it gets closer. We will most likely do a dinner cruise and night out for cocktails while catching up in this great city. That weekend is also the Chicago free Jazz festival so mark your calendars now in case you might like to join us.

Ken Shook

P.S. E-mail Ken and let him know so he has an idea how many might come. (kenshook@foxtheatre.org)

I really think we need to come up with a reunion for anyone who skated in Japan. That hasn't been done, to my knowledge. Probably should be in LA or San Fran, just to mix things up.

Have a great weekend!

Ice Charades Goes Digital!

2011-05-16T11:43:00.003-04:00

Big, big thanks to my husband for converting Ice Charades to digital format. Believe me, it's not as easy as clicking on a button.

Hopefully, dowloading Ice Charades will be that easy.

So if any of you have been thinking about it for you Kindle reading enjoyment, click here.

Or if you have a Nook with Barnes and Noble, click here.

Please let me know if you have any problems.

Habla Espanol?

2011-05-11T10:32:00.002-04:00

This notice was posted on Facebook, so I'm passing it on ...

Subject: IMMEDIATE CASTING
CASTING FOR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCED ADAGIO PAIRS FOR A SPANISH TELEVISION SKATING COMPETITION.
SPANISH SPEAKING A PLUS BUT NOT NECESSARY
SCHEDULE
JUNE 8 ARRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA
JUNE 9 CHECK MUSIC & COSTUMES
JUNE 10 REHEARSALS ON STUDIO ICE SURFACE 35’ FEET X 55’ FEET
JUNE 11 RECORDING OR TELEVISION TAPING OF THE COMPETITION
JUNE 12 DEPARTURE FROM MIAMI
TELEVISION STUDIOS WILL PROVIDE:
AROUND TRIP TICKET
MEALS
HOTELS
AIRPORT AND GROUND TRANSPORTATION
1-1/2 MINUTE LATIN STYLE MUSIC WILL BE SENT TO YOU PRIOR TO THE COMPETITION
1ST PLACE $10,000.00 USA DOLLARS
ALL OTHER PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE $500 USA DOLLARS FOR EACH
MUST CONTACT ME BY PHONE INMEDIATELY 561 436-0128 AND EMAIL ME AT :
rglproductions@mac.com.
ROSSTYN GUDINO
ROSSTYN ICE SHOWS & RINK DESIGNS. INC.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T10:34:00.001-04:00

... to my mom, to IceMom and all the other moms out there!

In Honor of Teacher Appreciation Day

2011-05-04T09:58:00.002-04:00

... I am reposting my shout-out to teachers. Please enjoy.

This is why I shouldn't teach skating ...

If I did teach skating, I would say something like ... "Okay, for an axel, get lots of speed, lift your free leg at this extension and this angle and pull in tight. Now go practice it for two years and get back to me."

The picture is by Alexia Tsotsis, and the explanation on why it is so hard to become an expert comes from Ben Casnocha's blog, and I discovered the whole thing via the Daily Dish.

From Someone Who Was There

2011-04-30T11:24:00.007-04:00

... no, not at Worlds. Wish I could have been in Moscow for that. No, below is an email from my friend, who was at the Royal Wedding.

Re: the wedding

Well, well! It was a lovely ceremony, inspiring and well done. A bit too old fashioned for our taste and according to many commentators in the press. R had more fun and champagne at Lancaster House (where spouses were and the recepction for the diplomatic corps was held afterwards) than I did at Westminster Abbey. The diplos were seated behind the royal families at the Abbey, but we had an obstructed view because of all the funky hats of the ladies. Hadn't it been for a couple of small screens that were installed nearby, we wouldn't have seen anything. Often times being invited is not such a good thing. All Britain was in a good mood and very happy, at least the monarchists!

Cheers. W & R

Yes, to be at the wrong angle behind this hat would be tough.

But I've got to say, this was my favorite, in a "I can't believe she wore that!" kind of way. But at least you could sort of see through the loops.

What's So Great About Figure Skating?

2011-04-26T09:48:00.004-04:00

Ryan Jahnke at MySkatingMall.com has put together the video "What's So Great About Figure Skating?" and the skaters say it better than I ever could. When you're looking for inspiration on a day you don't feel like venturing into the cold, check out the video here.

One reason for me?

Figure skating is both an art and a sport and that's a great combo.

Another?

Well, instead of doing a million squats a day, I just skated around, fell a few times, and voilà, nice round a$$. Like a permanently attached crash pad ... which don't seem to be on the market anymore, otherwise you could find them on MySkatingMall.com.

But there are plenty of other items - gently used, affordable and easy on the wallet.

So, thanks, Ryan, for creating the video and such a great website.

Wish Me Luck!

2011-04-14T12:06:00.005-04:00

I still remember in the 3rd grade (maybe 2nd?) we had to write our best paragraph that the teacher would read aloud in class. When the teacher read the paragraph by a classmate named Candy, one that was full of beautiful prose about the sunshine in the forest and I thought, "I'll never be able to write like that."

And you know what?

I'll still never be able to write like that.

Ice Charades is all chick-lit, even though you're not supposed to call it that in the publishing world. Womens fiction is their preferred term. Sounds like a college assignment to me, womens fiction.

So chick lit it is and as luck would have it - and there was a lot of luck - Ice Charades has made the quarter finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. I'm waiting to hear if she'll go one round more into the semis.

Already Ice Charades has been picked as 1 of 250 from 5000 entries. Those are not the kind of odds you want when it comes to rare and dangerous diseases, but 250 out of 5000 - not bad. Getting to the top 50 - that would be incredible.

This competition is a writer's version of American Idol. It's like I made it to Hollywood and if I make it to the next round, I'll be bugging all of you to vote for me. Ha ha, just kidding. Sort of.

This Is Why I'm Scared

2011-04-14T11:10:00.004-04:00

... of book signings.

Haven't done one, I hope I never have to.

From the Onion:

Author Promoting Book Gives It Her All Whether It's Just 3 People Or A Crowd Of 9 People

04.14.11
CINCINNATI—Shortly before her reading Tuesday at local bookstore Word Mentality, author Francine Massey told reporters that she does her absolute best for everyone who comes out to see her, whether it's just three people or a much larger crowd of nine people.

I just love the end of the article and I quote:

"Honestly, meeting one devoted fan is enough to make my night," said Massey, nervously glancing at her watch. "Even if I have to read for just that one person sitting all alone there in the back row, I'm going to give him the reading he deserves."

Checking her watch again, Massey sighed and added, "Jesus Christ, one fucking person. All right, fine, whatever. Here we go."

Disney On Ice Reunion

2011-04-12T10:06:00.003-04:00

That's right - why should Ice Capades and Holiday On Ice have all of the fun?

There's a DOI Banquet Dinner scheduled for Saturday, July 30, 2011, 5-8 pm, in Orlando. There are already 186 people confirmed to attend.

Go here to the DOI Banquet Dinner Facebook page to check it out.

Go to the Disney On Ice Reunion Facebook page to get updates.

Then go to Orlando at the end of July for the magic to happen.

This Reminds Me Of

2011-04-07T08:33:00.006-04:00

... whenever someone had a really nasty crash on the ice ... or a crash that sent them flying off the ice into the audience ... or a crash where the skater fell off the staircase ... or smashed into the headlights ... well, you get it.

There is always that first instant when you don't know whether the skater is seriously hurt, the fall looked terrifying, but once you know they're okay, well ...

Happy Birthday

2011-04-06T09:25:00.003-04:00

... to my dear friend and the best muse a girl could get.

photo of some of the cast of Nutcracker standing on a billboard, Atlantic City, '96. Can you see Calla Urbanski's name in the background?

Look at that smile!

Right now my friend, and the inspiration for the character Judy in Ice Charades, is the stage manager for Ringling Bros. and finally got to run away with the circus. Among other things, he takes elephants out for a walk. There's a book that needs to come out of that job indeed.

Happy Birthday!

Just Kidding

2011-04-04T12:13:00.008-04:00

... about that last posting. I'm going to stick around and blog for a little more. So, strap in kids.

I haven't performed any April Fool's pranks in ages, so the post on Friday felt strange to write.

Full disclosure: got a little verklempt typing that I was ending the blog.

What I feel more comfortable writing about are the numerous pranks that ice show skaters pulled ... usually, but not always, on the Closing Night performance.

So I present in no particular time frame ... some of my favorite ice show pranks.

(The costumes and production numbers have been changed to protect the guilty, thank you very much):

* One closing night show, all of the girls decided to skip the ugly white granny panties, we had to wear and just go with our g-strings for the ballet/peasant number that had a long, heavy skirt down to our shins. Most of the number, no one could tell, but there was a series of chaine turns towards the end, where all of our skirts flaired out just above our (bare) asses.

* Another prank in Japan was when the skaters decided to wear flu masks during the number - at least the white masks matched their white costume - which we often saw in Japan whenever someone was sick.

* Still cracks me up thinking about the time our drummer tried out his duck call at the exact point of silence between the two segments of music in the Swan Lake production.

* During a break in rehearsals, a skater was able to get a ladder, climb ten feet and change the time of the only clock in the rink ahead one hour and trick the choreographers into letting the skaters go early. (Kids, for those of you wanting to try this at home, i.e., your own local ice rink, it helps when rehearsals take place at night and everyone it pretty out of it to begin with. It also helps that the skater who changed the time was an Olympic competitor, so really, you going to argue with him?)

* I'm using the real name on this one ... I'll never forget Brian Wright's amazing solo during our Indian production number. Of course, now we say "Native American" Indians. Think teepees (the showgirls wore them) and Little Bighorn-type headresses. Brian couldn't wear the giant headress through the whole number (not very aerodynamic when attempting a double flip or lutz) so one night he took it off as usual, but kept the specially-made "arrow through the head, a la Steve Martin" on for the whole solo.

* Again, real name here ... Robin Cousins was notorious for pulling pranks and the one I saw was when he asked to take turns at being a background "tree" in a production number. The skater should have known that the Cousins tree would not stay in the background and would not stay still.

* Of course, Disney On Ice can't get away with this, but in our little amusement park show in the middle of nowhere, southern Japan, our version of Snow White had some feisty dwarfs, I tell you. One day instead of carrying the "sleeping" beauty to the special case, they dragged her. Nice!

I'll save the rest for another day or another book!

Ice Charades Turns Four

2011-04-01T13:40:00.005-04:00

If this is anything like when my daughter turned four ... we're all in trouble.

That's right. On April 1, 2008, I felt there were trivial and mundane ice show revelations that weren't being met by the greater skating blogging community, so I started this run-of-mouth, chatty blog that has lasted all this time.

Still waiting for those needs to be met, btw.

So, anyway, I figure this is a good time to end the program, skate off and exit, stage left. Thank you for following me. All the best.

Oh, and btw, April Fool's Day! I'm not stopping yet. I still have to talk about more Ice Capades Reunions. More costume choices for Halloween.

Please Miss Ice Charades, enough with the costumes.

Okay, okay, but I've got more skaters I want to introduce you to ... so hang on for year four!

I'm on Twitter Now!

2011-03-29T18:13:00.008-04:00

... come follow me @IceCharades.

I promise I'll think of something (t)witty to say one of these days.

Meanwhile, guess who has almost 25,000 followers in only two days?

The missing snake from the Bronx Zoo.

I'm not following a snake on Twitter (or anywhere for that matter), but I've got to say, those are some funny tweets.

@BronxZoosCobra
Forgot DWTS is tonight! Someone DVR it for me. Want to watch Ralph Macchio go down for what he did to Cobra Kai Dojo.

@BronxZoosCobra
Just FYI, I've had it with Samuel L. Jackson too.

@BronxZoosCobra
Holding very still in the snake exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. This is gonna be hilarious!

Badass of the Week

2011-03-25T16:56:00.009-04:00

... and I'm not talking 'bout Nobunari Oda. Photo courtesy of Random Skating Photos.

I'm talking about another Japanese man and he has NOTHING to do with skating, thank you very much.

His name is Hideaki Akaiwa and he's featured on the website Badass of the Week, which I found courtesy of The Daily Dish.

It is reported that on the day of the earthquake Hideaki Akaiwa threw on scuba gear, jumped into a TSUNAMI, dodged debris, found his house & his wife, & saved her.

Wow. That's the kind of story I liked to hear about heading into the weekend.

Even though this post has nothing to do with skating, it has everything to do with keeping up my New Year's Resolution - swearing.

Excuse me, Miss Ice Charades, does it count if someone else is doing the swearing?

Hell, yeah. Click on Badass of the Week, if you love swear words salted and peppered through your true-life action hero stories.

Want a taste?

How the fuck Hideaki Akaiwa got a hold of a wetsuit and a set of SCUBA gear is one of the great mysteries of the world. I'm roughly twenty hours into Fallout 3 and I'm lucky to come across a fucking vacuum cleaner in that godforsaken post-apocalyptic wasteland, yet this guy is in the middle of a real-life earth-shaking mecha-disaster and he's coming up with oxygen tanks, waterproof suits, and rebreather systems seemingly out of thin air. I guess when you're a truly unstoppable badass, you, by definition, don't let anything stand in your way. You make shit happen, all the time, no matter what.

Have a hell of a weekend everyone - I'm off to figure out how to Tweet!

What Should She Wear?

2011-03-21T13:24:00.014-04:00

I know this is not the first article to ask what Kate Middleton should wear for the Royal Wedding, but I thought I'd get my say in before we are entirely sick of it.

Aren't we all a little sick of it already?

Poor girl, not her fault. Blame folks like me.

So, like I said, I'm going to have my say, and yes, boys and girls, I'm going there. Again.

Cue the one-legged wonder mannequin please ...

Kate, of course, is already on the other side of the pond, so shipping charges from the rehearsal headquarters for Holiday On Ice in Bern, Switzerland, shouldn't cost too much. Plus, as the future Queen of England, she's got some quid hanging about, eh?

So, from the Holiday On Ice Used Costume Warehouse, I say she could get herself a dandy dress. I'm sticking with white dresses, but something kind of fun too, don't you think?

Here are my top 5 choices - go ahead and pick a favorite.

How about this one?

A little dowdy and the headdress and mask scream Venetian masquerade party, but it could work. Or this one?

A bit plain, I know. Hey Ice Charades, she's not going to a tennis-garden party, how about something with more pizazz.

Okay, okay, what about this one?

Splashy, don't you think? Who needs a caketopper when you can wear it yourself? If she wants another flashy option, how about this?

Uh, Miss Ice Charades, that looks like a jellyfish or a condom on her head, she can't wear that.

I know, but I said fun and just for fun comes the all-time favorite costume. Must be sold out by now, but here you go.

Kate's a modern girl. She could pull it off.

So let me know what you think ... and I'll let you know what, if any, juicy gossip or behind-the-scene tidbits I hear about because I have a friend who's invited to the wedding!

That's right, baby. He's invited, he's excited and he's going. This is a good friend of mine going back fifteen years and he's grown up to be the Ambassador to England from a small, sleepy country in Central America. As an ambassador, he probably won't be posting any crazy candid snapshots to Facebook, but maybe someone else will. We'll see ...

London Calling

2011-03-16T10:58:00.009-04:00

You may know her as the figure skater/author from All The Sunday's Yet To Come ...

You may know her from her latest book As Good As Gold ...

Now you should check her out Kathryn Bertine's newest gig as senior editor for ESPN W. By the way, that "W" stands for women.

Her story is an inspiring one ... and now she's going for the summer Olympics in London. As a cyclist. If you ever needed a reason to get your butt off the couch, to grab either of her books and go back to the couch, to read about how much endurance she has. A lot. After reading As Good As Gold, you may feel like taking the old Schwinn out for a spin afterward or you may feel like you need a nap.

But either way, you'll enjoy her books.

Thinking of Japan

2011-03-11T09:45:00.014-05:00

photo by JapanDave.com

I'm sad to see the devastation and praying for the people of Japan.

The sequel to Ice Charades... to be released in 2012, takes place in Japan, so Japan is on my mind a lot. It is all at once a beautiful, whacky, sacred, humbling, frustrating and funny place to write about.

My girlfriend, who lives in Tokyo, called me yesterday morning ... before the earthquake, just to chat and I used the phone call to go over some questions I had about Japan.

When I woke up this morning and saw the news, I did not want that to be my last phone call with her. Good news: she just called me via Skype to say she and the family are okay. I haven't heard back from other friends, but Tokyo was spared the brunt of the quake, so I hope they are okay.

Japan always knew "the big one" was coming and I don't know if that was it, but boy, I hope there are no more.

And, by the way, if you like the photos, you should check out Japan Dave's website. It is filled with gorgeous photography. I subscribed and receive a photo in my inbox everyday.

Carnaval!

2011-03-04T18:37:00.004-05:00

In Panama, Carnaval is a big deal - a whole week off. This is what the celebration can look like in the city, so we are heading the mountains. So is half of the country.

We've been told the town we are going to has a "small" celebration. I don't know what that means, but I hope we can see some floats like this.

The women on the float are wearing the national dress called the "Pollera" - which would make an easy production number in any ice show. Would love to have one of those dresses for Halloween or some other costume party, but the word is they run up to $10,000 a piece. They're hand-sown. Yikes.

Maybe I can find something a little more traditional like this number below. It looks like the finale costume from Atami, Japan '90-91. Put some skates on her and she's a deadringer for Tamara Sharp.

I know in Trinidad, they allow costume rentals for Carnaval, but I don't know about Panama. If I had a few pinacoladas first and could still duplicate my impressive 30 minutes of stomach-sucked-in at a stretch, maybe I'll give some costume a go.

Of course, I could have ordered one straight from Holiday On Ice's costume collection. Cue the one-legged wonder in this stunning red "Carnival" costume.

Nice, huh. Although I don't think that would fit in the car.

But no matter what, I hope to do some kind of celebrating. That means I may not be able to blog next week. Not sure about my wi-fi, so I'll check in next week after the family gets back from vacation.

I hope you all have a great time for Mardi Gras - Spring Break - March Madness - or whatever you like!

The Year I Swore

2011-03-01T10:48:00.009-05:00

Well, that's how it was supposed to be. My New Year's Resolution (NYR) to swear more and let some steam off is not going very well.

$h!t!

And now my parents are visiting ... I can't swear when they're around.

$h!t!

A while back I stumbled upon this brilliant little blog post by metalia and it drew me in.

Then I thought I could write about the "Year I Swore" - but now I may need to replace it with some other habbit, hobby or catchy title. Anyway, I've posted part of her post below, but you should really check out her whole blog.

It's fu@king genious!

You GUYS. I'm Writing a Book.*

So, the book. Oh, my friends, the WHIRLWHIND! The LIGHTNING CLAP THAT WAS!

There I was, strolling the aisles of my bookstore, attempting to find something new, and it seemed that everywhere I turned, there was another memoir about someone doing SOMEthing for a year. Living biblically for a year! Living like Oprah for a year! Not shopping for a year! Living with subway dwellers for a year! Again, I made that one up, but you just KNOW some hipster right now is all "YES! And I shall call it From PBR to Panhandling for Nickels: My Year with the Mole People."

And like that, my inner book found ME. My friends: I have decided to write a book about spending a year reading books by people who spend a year doing something.

Each of the books, I've realized, follow a similar formula. How hard could it be? OBSERVE:

Step 1: Pick random-ass, deceptively unique-yet-wholly-relatable thing to write about.

Step 2: Write about how great it is, and how your soul NEEDED this.

Step 3: Uh oh! Crisis of some sort! Will you finish on schedule? Do you need to? DO you WANT to? Is it worth [insert sacrifice here]?

Step 4: RALLY, YO! You get it done in in time!

Step 5: Talk about the life lessons you've gained from this yearlong experience.

See the entire post with a second cover and bonus picture here.

And if you want a laugh, guaranteed, go to her blog. Check out the latest on Oscar Fashions. In a word: tinfoil.

Confession of the Month

2011-02-26T07:13:00.003-05:00

I know, I know, I haven't kept up with the monthly confessions. But, you know, from now on ...

Yesterday I was emailing another skater on Facebook and we got to telling stories. We always do. And I told her about our hotel dinner show in Atami, Japan, and that whenever there was a show with fewer audience members than skaters, we didn't always take that show so seriously.

Shocker? Oh, come on. You would have done the same thing.

One of the favorite things to do was a playing a game of tag.

It would start in the Opening number, someone was "it" and they would have to tag someone without straying too far from the choreography. The person hoping not to get tagged couldn't stray too far from the choreography either.

And this went on throught the show. When one number was done, the skater that was "it" had to wait until they were back out on the ice in another with at least two more skaters. It didn't count to tag someone backstage.

That certainly helped a forty-five minute show fly by. I get a smile just thinking about it.

What Did You Think?

2011-02-18T09:22:00.004-05:00

I wished I could have seen the movie. I was thinking about my figure skating friends last night knowing that they were going.

Can anyone tell me what you thought?

Here's the RISE facebook page itself, asking the very same question. So far 248 people "liked" it.

February 11 - A Good Day For Democracy

2011-02-11T13:44:00.005-05:00

Free Nelson Mandela!

We interrupt this silly little skating blog to remind you that on this day twenty-one years ago, Nelson Mandela was released from eighteen years in prison on Robben Island off of Cape Town, South Africa.

Miss Ice Charades is a biiiig fan of Mr. Mandela. And it was pretty exciting for the cast of Ice Express, starring by Randy Gardner, choreographed by Karen Kresge, featuring Jozef (the bobbin' Czech) Sabovčik and Cindy Stewart who landed in South Africa three weeks later. March 1990, Jo-burg, as the locals call it. There were Nelson Mandela t-shirts everywhere and perhaps a feeling that the country was heading in the right direction.

Judging by the World Cup they recently hosted, I would say they were right.

I am forever grateful, thanks Karen, that I got the chance to skate in the country in the year they freed Nelson Mandela.

Another February 11th? Thirty-two years ago on this day the Iranian revolution took place when the Shah's forces were overwhelmed. And today?

A good day for democracy.

Remembering the 1961 Plane Crash

2011-02-11T09:33:00.003-05:00

This from Laura at Required Elements: A new exhibit for the 1961 plane crash that killed the U.S. figure skating team has opened at the skating Hall of Fame museum in Colorado.

The movie RISE is next Thursday. Do you have your ticket yet?

Now the most important question: Have you read the book yet?

Read. The. Book. First.

and have a great weekend!

And About That Super Bowl

2011-02-08T11:18:00.003-05:00

Congrats to Ice Mom and all the Packer fans out there.

It's hard for this lifelong Viking's fan to say that, but the Packers played a great game. Still there was a brief moment of joy for any Viking's fan just before the game when the Viking's safety Madieu Williams was selected Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year!

It's been months since I've screamed that loud for a Viking.

This, That and the Other

2011-02-07T10:24:00.004-05:00

Johnny Weir is moving to Manhattan. A good place for him, I think. He's got Sky Rink for practicing, HQ of the publishing world all around, and the Parson's School when he's ready for a change.

And, I didn't catch any Super Bowl ads yesterday, but I poked around the internet and it seems Alissa Czisny was in a Chrysler commercial for all of two seconds. She's skating outside in bare arms ... couldn't someone have loaned her a sweater? It's freezing out there. Ah yes, Ice Charades, but figure skaters are tough.

Yes they are.

But for those that don't want to freeze while taking to the ice, the deadline to book the Ice Capades Mini-Reunion is coming up.

Ice Capades Mini-Reunion – on Royal Caribbean’s “Explorer of the Seas” Update

– Bermuda Cruise – June 18, 2011

Now that the holidays are behind us and much of the country gripped in icy winter weather, it is time to start thinking about sunshine, pink sands and beautiful clear waters!

For all of you that have not registered, they have added inventory and have staterooms available for this fantastic 5 night Ice Capades Reunion cruise to Bermuda, June 18, 2011! Please contact them as soon as possible to book your stateroom as they don't expect the new inventory to last!

If you are thinking of going but need someone to share a cabin with, let them know! They currently have one female seeking to share a cabin with like!

Please contact Greg Smith w/Expedia 800-410-5451 X 420 when you wish to make a payment on your booking. Remember, your entire fare MUST be paid by the final due date, APRIL 1, 2011.

Happy (Chinese) New Year!

2011-02-03T09:09:00.005-05:00

The year of the rabbit starts today!

BTW, how's your New Year's Resolution, a.k.a. the N.Y.R., going? How's mine going? Not going so well.

$h!t!

Well, that's a little better.

My N.Y.R. was to swear more this year, something I thought was attainable. Easy. But I got off my goal with a parent-teacher conference and binged on two 8-year-old birthday parties totally in Spanish. I can't swear in Spanish.

$h!t!

Back in my showgirl days, swearing was an artform, and I admired those who had the flair. I hadn't had any training in swearing as an amateur, so when I turned pro in the show, I had some quick learning to do.

Sure, swearing as an exclamation is easy. Chorus work, really. When you're standing at the curtain backstage, ready to take the ice and you look down at your skates and discover you forgot your bootcovers and are looking at a $4 fine ... $h!t! is natural. Relieves the stress, tells everyone around what's going on and they start to clear the path for you to run back to the dressing room.

But swearing as an adjective? $h!t!, that's harder. One thing I learned in ice shows, the more beautiful the mouth the f-ing swear words came out of, the more impact they had. When the sourpuss, balding, curmudgeonly stagehand in the corner goes on a tear, well, we've all heard that before. But coming from a beautiful showgirl?

Like I said, art.

I think my time to elevate swearing to an art form are behind me, but a girl can try, right?

In the words of Team America, fu(Є)k, yeah!

Happy New Year folks!

Wow ...

2011-01-31T09:58:00.003-05:00

I just have to say congratulations to Ryan Bradley. What an awesome victory. Is that some kind of record after eleven times?

This guy is channeling one of my favorite competitors, Philippe Candeloro, but doing it in his own style. Still, their objective - entertain the audience.

I like that.

His own words from Amy Shipley's article in the Washington Post:
"That was probably the ugliest national championship program ever," said Bradley, who scored 231.90 points overall. "I love it because of that. . . . I never thought, 'Oh wow, I blew it.' I remember thinking, 'Okay, do something funny so they'll laugh and forget you just missed.' "

It was a pleasant surprise to me that he didn't really think he had won. Call me cynical, but I feel like some of these skaters know the scoring in their program so well, down to the percentage of deduction of a two-foot versus hand-touch versus extra three-turn spinout landing.

But he had his headphones during the other performances and didn't know the door was wide open. So I just have to say, wow!

My 250th Post!

2011-01-28T16:17:00.002-05:00

Yes, 2-5-0. Who knew the old showgirl had it in her?

So I thought I'd simply leave you with the Ice Charades theme. It really is a catchy, little tune.

Oh, Ice Charades, you're so icy and fun,
Oh, Ice Charades, it's not the Capade one,
Oh, Ice Charades, every year comes to town,
Oh, Ice Charades, get your money back if a skater falls down!

Don't worry, I'll get back to I'll get back to ice show reunion announcements and obits very soon.

Donna Atwood dies at 85; longtime Ice Capades star

2011-01-25T08:46:00.004-05:00

Back in the day, stars of Ice Capades were real stars. Donna Atwood and her longtime skating partner, Bobby Specht, made the cover of Life Magazine in 1946. She was also used as one of two human models for the ice-skating sequence with Bambi and Thumper in the 1942 animated Disney movie "Bambi."

A bygone era. And a bygone star.

This was posted in the Los Angeles Times:
Billed as 'the Sweetheart of the Ice,' Donna Atwood started skating as a teenager. Largely self-taught, she signed with the Ice Capades at 16 and within a year was its star.

Donna Atwood, in a 1955 publicity…January 21, 2011|By Valerie J. Nelson, Los Angeles TimesIce Capades star Donna Atwood had spent almost half her life on the road when she left professional figure-skating behind at 31 to raise her three young children in a custom-built Beverly Hills home complete with a piano that folded into the wall.

She was so famous that Times headlines from the era used only her first name. "Donna to Retire in 1956 for Home Life," said one atop an article that portrayed her as longing to "trade it all in for 'home, sweet home.' "

Here's another longer article written by Valerie J. Nelson of the Los Angeles Times:

By Valerie J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times

January 21, 2011

Ice Capades star Donna Atwood had spent almost half her life on the road when she left professional figure-skating behind at 31 to raise her three young children in a custom-built Beverly Hills home complete with a piano that folded into the wall.

She was so famous that Times headlines from the era used only her first name. "Donna to Retire in 1956 for Home Life," said one atop an article that portrayed her as longing to "trade it all in for 'home, sweet home.' "

Yet it was a bittersweet decision for both Atwood and her husband, John H. Harris, operating owner of the touring Ice Capades show. To have his wife home full time, he had to give up the longtime star of his successful enterprise.

"She was at the top of her game, and all of a sudden, she's home," said Don Harris, one of her twin sons. "That was a huge turning point in her life."

Atwood died Dec. 20 of respiratory problems at the Motion Picture Television & Country House in Woodland Hills. Her family confirmed her death this week. She was 85.

Inspired after seeing Olympic champion Sonja Henie's ice revue, a 13-year-old Atwood skated onto the ice for the first time at the Polar Palace in Hollywood.

Days before her 16th birthday, the largely self-taught skater medaled twice at the 1941 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. She won the senior pairs crown with Eugene Turner and also took the junior ladies title.

Harris was scouting for new Ice Capades talent when he saw Atwood skate in 1941 and offered her a contract.

"The Olympics were being canceled because of World War II, so she didn't have those to aim for," her son said, "and her family didn't have any money" because her pharmacist father had died.

At 16, she signed with the show and within a year was its star, "charming audiences" and displaying "dramatic flair," according to a tribute in the 2002 U.S. Figure Skating Championships program.

Billed as "the Sweetheart of the Ice," she toured the U.S. and Canada for 15 years, giving more than 6,000 performances in two dozen venues, The Times reported in 1956.

Disney used her as one of two human models for the ice-skating sequence with Bambi and Thumper in the 1942 animated Disney movie "Bambi."

Life magazine put Atwood and her longtime Ice Capades skating partner Bobby Specht on the cover in 1946 along with a simple headline: "Ice Show."

In 1949, she married Harris, who was 27 years her senior. A year later, she gave birth to twin sons and had a daughter in 1952.

To make it easier for her to travel with young children, the Ice Capades prop shop built a portable nursery out of a 10-foot traveling trunk that could be rolled into her hotel room, her son said.

When her sons reached school age, it was time for Atwood to establish "a real home" and retire, she said upon announcing her decision.

On her farewell tour, she starred in an Ice Capades production of "Peter Pan" that was a condensed version of the Broadway show. She made her entrance flying above the audience. It was, she often said, her favorite role.

Donna Arlene Atwood was born Feb. 14, 1925, in Newton, Kan., to Chester and Attie Atwood. Her family moved to Albuquerque, N.M., before relocating to Los Angeles when she was 9.

From age 3, she had taken dancing lessons. After her father died when she was 13, her older brother gave Atwood her first pair of ice skates.

Her marriage to Harris proved "stormy," according to the 1973 book "Whatever Became Of?"

The couple divorced in 1959 and Harris sold the Ice Capades in 1963 for a reported $5 million. He died at 70 in 1969.

Atwood, who never remarried, eventually moved to Marina del Rey and in her later years lived in Palm Desert.

Once her children were grown, she began coaching young figure skaters in the early 1970s after growing "tired of doing nothing," she told The Times in 1978.

"I really like to see kids get started right," she said, "and I'm a bug on position."

She is survived by her sons, Don Harris, a Paramount Pictures executive, of Ventura, and Dennis Harris, a lawyer, of Manhattan Beach; daughter Donna Greenfield, a real estate agent, of Boston and Washington, D.C.; and five grandchildren.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

2011-01-19T20:30:00.006-05:00

That would be the State Dinner for His Excellency Hu Jintao of China going on at the White House ... and that would be Aaron's favorite skater ... yup, it' simply

Ms. Michelle Kwan

as is stated on the Washington Post's seating chart. Go here.

Apparently she didn't bring a date so we're left to wonder whom she was seated next to. What's your guess? Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, Madeleine Albright, Christiane Amanpour, Yo Yo Ma or Maya Lin (that would be cool - she's the designer of the Vietnam Memorial, among others). Or how exciting to sit next to Jackie Chan!

Obviously I have no idea who, but maybe someone can get the details.

Looking for Memorabilia?

2011-01-18T08:21:00.002-05:00

This announcement came via the The Ice Capades Blade.

My name is Dave Lowery and my wife Rita and I own www.theskatinggallery.com. We both skated with HOI in the late 50s. We now ( due to declining health )are in the process of selling our existing inventory and wonder if you could do us a big favor and forward the attached email to your reunion members. Our daughter Kristan (Lowery) Waggoner with partner Chip Rossbach were featured skaters with Ice Capades and raved about the recent reunion.

Another HOI Reunion to announce

2011-01-17T14:01:00.003-05:00

... this time in Bergamo, Italy.

Rats! That's another one I can't get to. Looks pretty fu*%ing sweet, doesn't it? Sorry, Miss Ice Charades is just bummed she can't go.

Oh well, if you want the details and to see who can make it there, go to this site on Facebook.

It's coming soon - February 24, 2011. That's a date change too, so get out your eraser and your calendar.

At least she is being honest ...

2011-01-13T12:20:00.003-05:00

"It's like Formula One. You want to see the car crash. . . We like to go to Rockefeller Center to watch the ice-skaters fall."

-- Carol Barbeiro, recent audience member for a preview of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," explaining to The New Yorker why she was eager to see the seemingly accursed Broadway musical. At least four actors have been injured onstage since October -- and ticket sales have soared.

Ice Charades, for the record, would like to see the play with or without the "car crash", thank you very much.

Things I Learned From An Ice Show

2011-01-10T08:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my new segment, "Things I Learned From An Ice Show." We'll see if I can come up with at least twelve of these suckers and then I can turn this into a monthly installment. Here goes ...

You can't sing and laugh at the same time.

Try it ... you can't do it. How do I know this? I skated in a couple of ice shows that featured live singers. And if you wipe out in front of them, you hear them stop singing and start cracking up on the mike.

If you are going to fall, the best thing to do is to wipe out in front of the audience as well, so they laugh too and understand why the singers stopped singing.

It wasn't very good the time I ran into the headlights backstage while exiting. The singer saw my big crash and lost his sh**, but the audience didn't know why.

Frozen In Time

2011-01-05T09:54:00.004-05:00

There is a lot of buzz building for the film RISE that will air all around the US on February 17, 2011. Like Required Elements mentioned in her latest post, here is one place to go to find tickets.

Once you get your tickets, please do me a big favor...

Read. The. Book. First.

Frozen In Time by Nikki Nichols

Need to purchase it? Go here.

There is no other way to absorb the details of the skaters' lives or understand the context of competitive skating of that time without reading the book. All of the research is there and the movie will be a richer experience having read the book.

Already read it? Good. Take a few moments to review before seeing the movie and I I'll bet you'll get more out of it.

Now, if only the movie were playing somewhere south of the border for me.

My New Year's Resolution

2011-01-01T13:51:00.005-05:00

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. I am.

Have you made your resolutions yet? I have.

I usually like to go with something that is easy to achieve and perhaps fun along the way. Like the year I decided I would only wear nice pajamas to bed. No t-shirts or gym shorts. That lasted for a while. Or the year I gave up mint chewing gum - only bubble gum would do.

Well, kids, this year Miss Ice Charades has decided her new resolution is to swear more. In writing and speaking and maybe in cooking, if I can figure out a way. So buckle up kids, you're in for a kick-a$$ ride.

Happy Hell of a New Year!

And #1 - Lessons On Becoming An Expert

2010-12-25T07:28:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas from Ice Charades

And the fans' #1 post for 2010?

Lessons On Becoming An Expert

This is why I shouldn't teach skating ...

If I did teach skating, I would say something like ... "Okay, for an axel, get lots of speed, lift your free leg at this extension and this angle and pull in tight. Now go practice it for two years and get back to me."

The picture is by Alexia Tsotsis, and the explanation on why it is so hard to become an expert comes from Ben Casnocha's blog, and I discovered the whole thing via the Daily Dish.

#2 - What Should She Wear?

2010-12-24T07:23:00.003-05:00

This post is long but it got the most hits of the year. Enjoy.

What Should She Wear?

I'm having fun with this, so please indulge me.

When I was googling Venus William's images I saw a shocking array of tennis outfits on display. Full disclosure: some of the crazy outfits belong to Serena, so it's a family affair. Below are some of the latest. This looks like an outfit I had back in 89 ...

I think she borrowed this from the Cancan production of HOI in 83 ...

But you probably only saw this dress from the back ...

Venus gets hammered a lot on these outfits of choice, especially when it looks like she's not wearing pants or underwear. You get a lot of these from google images:

But let's get back to her outfits ...

It seems as if the tennis world is coming closer to needing to look as good as you play. Or cynical me, says that Nikes and Addidas better leave room for Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, de la Renta and the rest. Now tennis is still objective - no judges judging costumes and style points, just whether the ball was on the line or out.

But when I saw this on Ana Ivanovic and it reminded me of Nancy Kerrigan's dress that was designed by Vera Wang.

Is this wave of outfits looking more like something from Ice Capades something that will stick? If so, she's in luck. Holiday On Ice has some already for sale ... how easy is that? She can afford the express mail, she could get one of these beauties in a week!

So, play along boys and girls - what would you have Venus wear?

Cue the legless wonder manequin on the Holiday On Ice costumes website: This one looks a lot like the black number she already has. But Ice Charades, this one has a crown.

Or this one? This could work on the court ... probably not with real leather boots. How about pleather with built-in sneakers?

Okay these next two, you probably want to lose the head gear, but the outfits? Fringe could be fun.

Or if she wants a more serious look:

Send in your vote!

#3 - The Sequel

2010-12-23T07:12:00.004-05:00

#3 post talks about trends in books for 2010.

Any book requests on your Christmas list this year? pssst - how about the one of the right side of the screen? It's not too late to ask Santa, you know. Uh, yes it is Miss Ice Charades ... unless you want to pay a gazillion dollars in shipping. Good point, perhaps you can order it after Christmas to go with that new Kindle of yours. Stay tuned.

Anyway - here's the post ...

The Sequel

I got an email this weekend ...

"I just finished Ice Charades and loved it. Is there a sequel coming out?"

Hey, thanks.

Sequel? Well, I'm working on it. Still tinkering with it, I hope to get it out at the end of 2012. Books can take time, sorry.

I was wondering how to give the next one wider appeal. Should I market it to the Young Adult crowd? Take out all of the questionable adult behavior?

Psst, hey Charades ... what's an ice show without questionable adult behavior?

Okay, good point. Maybe I need to throw in a vampire. Worked for Twilight. But I could have a skating vampire.

the first skating vampire from Ice Follies circa 1975

Hey, most of the shows skaters were nocturnal anyway. And think if I had a vampire in the story, my book could be linked to Twilight on Amazon's: Readers Who Like Twilight Also Liked ...

But the young adults out there might be sick of vampires by the time Ice Charades Two comes along.

So based on reports from the BAE (Book Exports America) the latest genre publishers are excited about is ... wait for it ... Amish Romance. Yep, Amish Romance.

Think about it - the religion doesn't allow one to watch tvs or use the internet or IPods, they are the perfect audience for reading books. But how to weave an amish showgirl into my next book? As far as I know, none have ever gotten serious in skating.

Let's face it - skating is not green, not Amish-friendly. You may not need electronics to physically skate, but probably would not be allowed to use the energy for the compressors that keep ice cold, lights to light an ice show, or anything to do with false eyelashes or rhinestones.

Any other ideas?

#4 - Costumes For Sale

2010-12-22T06:55:00.004-05:00

In continuing with the countdown, I'm going to the Holiday On Ice - Costumes For Sale website. I had fun with these folks this year. I'm still wondering how the sales are going. But here you have the first post at #4.

Costumes For Sale

Tired of the same ol' competition dress?

You can have this ...

Looking for something new to wear to the office?

You can wow them with this ...

Planning to out do Lady Gaga at the next Halloween party?

Hey what happened to the other leg of the mannequin? Is that the Heather Mills-edition for Dancing On Ice? ouuuuchhh - that was cruel, Miss Ice Charades.

No, these costumes and many more are for sale by Holiday On Ice. Really!

Go here and check them out. Tell me which ones are your favorite. And since they don't have any prices listed, tell me what it would cost you.

Ice Charades Top 5 Posts of 2010

2010-12-21T08:04:00.003-05:00

Yes, folks, we're coming to the end of the year. Everyone loves a countdown, right? So I thought I would post my top 5 to get you to Christmas.

I've heard from the legions of Ice Charades fans (my mom and Jane) and the votes are in ... today's post comes from April, 2010.

Title Contest!

As you've seen reported on other blogs like Required Elements and Axels, Loops, and Spins, Johnny Weir will release on book in Jan 2011.

Aaron wrote: Well, the speculation can end. It was announced today that he has entered into a deal with Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books to publish a yet to be named book.

As someone who's been there, I can tell you it takes a lot of time to write a book. No, kidding, Ice Charades - 5 years? Seriously? And you had a lot of time on your hands.

Yes. Yes I did. And I know Johnny Weir is a busy busy boy, so I thought we could help him out. At least with the "yet to be named" part of the book.

Any ideas?

I've got three,

Weir Not Going To Take It

Weir So Beyond This
or

Bravo Johnny Bravo

Okay, that last one is for the "15 and under Cartoon Network" crowd. But hey, I bet you can do better - come on, tell me what you would name his book. There could be prizes!

Happy Birthday Brian!

2010-12-18T08:28:00.003-05:00

I am and always will be a HUGE fan and WOW, what a year you've had.

Happy Birthday, hope it's a great one.

The Nutcracker and the Plump Sugar Fairy*

2010-12-15T11:27:00.004-05:00

*Plump Sugar Fairy brought to you by my good friend, John Niles Merrill

I caught a segment on the Today show the other day, which featured Jenifer Ringer, the NYC Ballet's Sugar Plum Fairy in this season's Nutcracker. You've probably heard the hububaloo about how "fat" she is, but if you haven't, click here.

On the Today show, they showed video of her dancing and I must say her frame was bigger than what we're used to when watching prima ballerinas. but you know what I also noticed was that she was an outstanding dancer in the role, so I wasn't bothered by her size. As you can see from the photo below, her "form" ain't bad.

I'm glad that she didn't want an apology from the New York Times critic who called her fat, because this is what comes with the territory.

But my gut feeling, which is a lot bigger than hers, btw, is that she'll be scrutinzing the bathroom scale once again. Even though she has battled and triumphed over eating disorders, all of this attention will set up a new battle for her. I think it has too. There was national and international attention over this.

Do you think she feels free to order the "Death By Chocolate" dessert at any restaurant after the show now?

What's So Great About Figure Skating?

2010-12-10T08:49:00.006-05:00

Right now Ryan at MySkatingMall.com is having a contest. And there is a prize!!!

Click here to go to You Tube to and here from the man himself.

It is hard for me to articulate why skating's great(and sometimes I would argue otherwise) but last night I saw a car commercial where they think it's great.

You know how Miss Ice Charades is always ranting that they never show skaters in the cruise ship or amusement park commercials for cruise ships or amusement parks that have ice shows? No, oh, welcome to my blog, then.

Anywhooo, finally a commercial with skating in it!

It starts with the typical stock footage of car driving near the ocean or car frolicking in the snow with happy people inside looking like they just finished a photo shoot for the Gap. Then spliced in for only a second at a time were the following clips in this order:
woman riding a horse
girl swinging on a swing
guy doing a trick on a snowboard
businessman loosening his tie
figure skater landing a jump

and

person standing on the top of a mountain

The ad is saying all of these things are great feelings.

Of course, driving a Suzuki will get you there too.

My hunch is that someone writing the commercial had to be a skater. Why? They didn't show a figure skater doing a pretty spiral or fast spin or split jump or some other move that plays well for the camera. They showed someone landing a jump in slow motion, which isn't the prettiest move when viewed in that clip.

But it's one of the sweet spots in skating.

The point where you haven't landed the jump, but you know you will. You've cleared enough rotation with some air left to go and all things are good now. And that moment in the air is an amazing feeling.

I imagine for your A-list skaters when they hit that spot in competition, they have already started to think about the next jump or difficult maneuver coming up in the program. If it's an ice show skater, when they hit that moment, they move on to thinking of where they'd like to go for dinner that night.

So, while this isn't an official entry for Ryan's contest, take a look at the commerical itself. Here's the link if you want to see the commercial.

Pssst. I think skating's getting a little respect again!

Crawlability

2010-12-06T23:57:00.005-05:00

... and this blog!

No, crawlability isn't the latest hydroplaning move by one of the ice dance teams, it's what this blog needs when I looked into freelancing opportunities.

I was thinking the other day, kinda hoping actually, to bring my blog up a notch, get a little more notoriety, go big time, or at least find a way to bring timely showgirl make-up tricks to the masses. But then I read the qualifications to get Ice Charades into one of the prestigious Blog Distribution Networks.

Hmmmm, let's break it down, shall we, and discuss why my blog won't be going anywhere ...

On their website they state:

All blogs will be reviewed by a member of our editorial team. Some of the main things they look for are:

•One or more postings per week minimum

...Ooops, I meant to get this out a few days ago, but that didn't happen and it's been a week now. If I didn't have a gazillion Ice Capades Reunion notices to post, I don't know what I'd write about.

•Family-friendly language and content

... Oh, shit. My last post had the caption, "Draw the rest of the fucking owl."

•Distinct, intelligent writing style

Well, I've got a distinct style at least.

Lessons In Becoming An Expert

2010-11-30T07:20:00.003-05:00

This is why I shouldn't teach skating ...

If I did teach skating, I would say something like ... "Okay, for an axel, get lots of speed, lift your free leg at this extension and this angle and pull in tight. Now go practice it for two years and get back to me."

The picture is by Alexia Tsotsis, and the explanation on why it is so hard to become an expert comes from Ben Casnocha's blog, and I discovered the whole thing via the Daily Dish.

Some Skating Phrases

2010-11-23T09:33:00.004-05:00

So continuing with the Ice Show emergency here in Panama, I have now been asked to teach skating and help with the public sessions.

Sure - but I've got to do it in Spanish. As Bart Simpson would say - ¡Ay Carumba!

Nothing more humiliating than needing my 7-year old to stand by the boards and tell me how to say skating phrases that pop into my head in Spanish. Thanks, honey.

So I'll save you the trouble of looking for your own translator and write down some of the phrases I've been using in the past few days. (Okay, I know I'm missing some squiggly lines over the "o" and the "a" here and there, but I don't know how to type them.)

Here we go:

Bend you knees - Doble tus rodillas

Don't lean back - No se echo hacia atras

Feet together - pies juntos

Man, am I ... old - ¡Cielos! Soy vieja
... rusty - fuera de practica
... not thin anymore - gorda

Where is the Zamboni? - ¿Donde es el zamboni?

What do you mean there's no zamboni? - ¿La verdad? ¿No es un zamboni?

I am an old showgirl not an engineer. - Soy corista vieja no un ingeniero.

I haven't done a double flip - No he hecho un tiron de doble flip
... a nice flying camel un camello del vuelo buena
... any kind of routine since the first Bush administration. - una programa desde la primera administracion de Bush.

And finally, the last phrase you might need ...

Do I get a discount at the mall for this? - ¿Consigo un descuento en la mall para esto?

Ice Show Emergency

2010-11-17T13:34:00.006-05:00

Two nights ago while you were sleeping, somewhere in a quiet, tiny Central American country, an ice show emergency email went out.

A real ice show emergency!

Luckily, Miss Ice Charades was there to see it and hadn't had too much to drink yet, so she could hit the "reply" instead of "delete" button.

After replying to the email late Monday night, I was asked early Tuesday morning to head to the shopping mall to check out the new ice rink going up for the Xmas season.

An ice rink! In Panama! The only one in the country ... perhaps all of Central America! Good thing this ex-show girl lives 3 blocks away. Because Miss Ice Charades doesn't drive here. If you saw how the Panamanians drive, you'd walk too. Even in the hot, humid weather, you'd walk.

So after "testing" out the ice, they asked if I knew anyone that could perform two times a day during the Xmas season until January 10. Oh, and could they start this Sunday.

This Sunday? Are you kidding me?

No, no they aren't. So I'm sending a shout-out for two skaters, preferably a pair team to skate 2x/day, 5-6x/week, Nov 21 - Jan 10. Airfare, housing, food and salary provided. They prefer someone who knows some Spanish.

That's not a bad deal, considering some of the ice show offers that have gone out in the past.

If you can get to Switzerland by Saturday, the job is yours.

So, if you like warm weather, well hot and humid really, you will also like this getaway for a couple days! Panama's a beautiful place!

Email me, if you or someone you know is interested. Ice Charades will throw in a complimentary tour of the Canal! Muchas gracias.

Ice Capades Alumni News

2010-11-16T08:58:00.001-05:00

NOVEMBER 2010

It is with great sadness that after a lengthy illness, we announce the passing of our own Dick Palmer, November 14, 2010 in Palm Desert. There will be no service but if you would like to send a note to Rita, Diane & Patti at 73-433 Mariposa, Palm Desert, CA 92260 - Jamsrita1@aol.com.

Richard H. Palmer, Executive Vice-President – Joined Ice Capades in 1942 and served in an array of staff positions during his tenure with the company – touring Company Manager, Studio Manager, Technical Director, etc. He had a vast knowledge of the complicated technical and operational aspects of an ice show. In addition, familiarity with the hundreds of arenas throughout North America had contributed immensely to the successful tour arrangements for the three companies of Ice Capades.) He will be missed.

Six Questions for a Skater - Craig Heath

2010-11-09T18:53:00.003-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm back from vacation and introducing a new segment I'd like to call "Six Questions for a Skater" - which I hope to make a regular feature.

I'm so excited to present my first skater, Craig Heath.

To me, he is one of the best examples of what it means to be a show skater. 17 years in the business and counting. Over two dozen titles, three dozen awards and show engagements, and much, much more. For his impressive (and exhaustive) resume, you've got to check out his website craigheath.com. But I'm going to wimp out right here and let Scott Williams do the talking.

"Craig is one of the top Professional Skaters in the world today. He has attained what very few in any field ever do...mastery of his profession. His fantastic skating talents, combined with a unique and entertaining style make him a joy to watch and an inspiration to all. He is a pleasure to work with and he has one of the best work ethics I've ever seen. To me, Craig defines what it means to be a top-level professional ice skater." Scott Williams, Professional Ice Skater, Producer and Past President of the Professional Figure Skaters Cooperative

The only time I ever saw Craig skate live was during the American Open competition in 1997 where he and about five other brave souls took on Brian Boitano's challenge for a game of Add-On.

Add-On is a game skaters play where the first skater does a trick and the second skater has to do that trick plus add on their own, and the third skater does the first two tricks and then adds on a third trick and so on and so on.

Guess who won the challenge? His win has always stayed in my feeble mind, which says something right there, and that is why I asked for an interview.

He has been performing and teaching in Sun Valley, Idaho for the past 14 years. He claims it's hard work during the summers but also a dream job that he is honored to have. There's a great facility with a gorgeous outdoor rink, the best in the world as far as he's concerned. There is also a very nice indoor rink. The summer school offers loads of ice time and also many great classes. Craig teaches a class every morning, either "Spin to Win", "Jump to Win" or "Sk8 Tricks." Every Saturday night, June - Labor Day, there is a world class ice show with top headliners like Even Lysacek, Brian Boitano and Sasha Cohen. Craig says, "Skating in these shows has been a highlight of my professional career."

Meanwhile, Miss Ice Charades has always said, just vacationing in Sun Valley would be the highlight of her life!

During the winters, for the past five years, Craig has been performing and teaching in Hong Kong for Swire Properties. He says he can take full advantage of all the incredible things Hong Kong and other places close by have to offer. He has some very fun and talented skaters which helps him keep in shape for shows he performs in over the holidays.

So, I suggest that if you are anywhere near Hong Kong or Sun Valley, Idaho and want to improve your skating, check out his seminars.

Better yet, fly him to your skating club and he could teach a bunch of skaters at once!

So without further ado, on to my six questions ...

#1 ... Did you have a favorite skating number?

This is a hard question! I have done so many numbers that I have loved performing over the years that it is hard to choose. The ones that stick out the most are: "Come What May" from the Holiday on Ice show called 'Hollywood' that I performed in for 4 years all over Europe and Asia. Robin Cousins choreographed the show along with Cindy Stuart and Anthony Van Laast was the Director. This number was so meaningful to me in many ways. I could not wait to perform it night after night.

"Perhaps" by the group Cake was another favorite. Brian Wright choreographed it and it was brilliant. I still use it sometimes. I originally used it as a short program for pro competitions and then I used it for shows. It was so Brian and so sarcastic and fun.

The most recent one is "Save a Horse..Ride a Cowboy" that Gia Guddat choreographed. Another sarcastic and fun routine that I love to perform. When Gia first asked me to do this one I said "no way..I can't skate to that!" But then she convinced me and we came up with a really fun number that I have performed in Sun Valley, Idaho and Hong Kong.

And, I know this is more than 3, but I will never forget my Seven years performing the rolls of Andy and Sid in Feld Entertainments 'Disney on Ice - Toy Story.' I got to play the good boy Andy and skate to "You've Got a Friend in Me" and "The Boys Are Back in Town" and also the bad boy Sid where I did a famous countdown of 10 double Axels in a row for many performances all over the world.

Okay boys and girls let's stop here for a moment. Ten double axels! In a row! When you can do that, you too can beat Brian Boitano in a game of Add-On.

#2 ... You're known for your superior spinning. Were you always a natural or was there a technique you mastered?
The spinning thing started when I was a kid but escalated when I had a bad knee injury and could not jump very much...but I could spin!! I made a good thing out of a bad situation. When I was a kid I skated in a small rink and on lots of crowded public sessions so I would spin a lot. I also have to give a lot of credit to Frank Carroll who nurtured my spins and even created some for me that many other people started doing and still do to this day. Before I would compete he would always tell me to "Spin like a bat out of hell."

#3 ... Do you ever have skating dreams? And I'm not talking wishes here.

I don't often remember my dreams but I have had the recurring one where I'm late for a competition or show and I can't get my costume and skates on and then I'm so far away from the ice and I'm racing for the ice because I hear my music but I can't make it there.

Out of all the thousands of shows I have done, I only missed one cue and it was in the opening number for Dorothy Hamill's Ice Capades. I told myself it would never happen again (I was only a few seconds late) and it never did.

#4 ... Have you ever had groupies?

Yes, every show has groupies. It is part of the territory. Nothing really that crazy has happened to me. At a theme park in Florida one groupie would sit in the front row of every show (we had 5 shows a day) and scream at me to do a triple. They've given me gifts (I love gifts so this is a good thing). I've also had them walk into my locker room acting like they thought it was an exit. Strange.

#5 ... What would you do if you didn't skate?
I have always had a fantasy of having an office and working for a big company. Of course I would have my own corner office with a view and a balcony. I think the reason for this is because since I started skating I have always had to take care of myself and my body. I'm always needing to stay in shape and getting enough rest. My job never stops even when I'm on vacation. This can be a good thing and a bad thing. It will be nice someday to be able to totally relax, not that I ever will as I'm pretty Type A, OCD, ADD and every other letter in the alphabet. :-). I can't even sit down to watch TV and I rarely go to the movies. I would rather do something than watch other people do things on a screen.

#6 ... Would you like to see the game of Add-On in the Olympics (a personal wish of mine). If so, how can we get that done?

That would be an amazing event for the Olympics! I know the Olympic Committee is working to get a team event into a future Olympics so this is a good start.

Did you hear that Aaron? There could be a game of Add-On coming soon to a games near you!

At the American Open that game was so much fun. I loved it! We all had a great time playing in front of an audience and with pressure! This is a game we would usually play with other skating friends on a general session when not seriously training. I always loved it and was always pretty good at it.

Hmmm. I think more than pretty good.

Quick thoughts from the House of Mouse

2010-11-07T20:04:00.011-05:00

Still on vacation.

We've been in Orlando at Disney World. This post will be hard to spin from a show skating point of view ... but why the heck not ... heck - that's the Disney in me talkin'.

One thing I've now discovered ... you never forget the smell of dry ice.

Watching the parade I kept wondering ... which performers get a day off tomorrow? Is that why they're smiling more?

Is their a secret heirachy to the princesses? Is Snow White always the oldest cast member of the princesses?

Are the dancers at Cinderella's castle (who seemed to be the best) the top dogs in the park or are they asprining to be characters such as Mickey and Minny?

Do they wish they could be in Tokyo (free lodging) or on the Disney Cruise instead?

I went to the Disney Audition website, but had a hard time finding basic info like minimum age, height or weight limitations, or pay with or without benefits such as lodging and travel, but you can watch videos from a bunch of performers and if you still want more you can email the park your specific question.

Hmmm. I wonder if Mickey will be looking over their shoulder.

On Vacation

2010-11-01T11:38:00.002-04:00

... I'll try to check in, but no promises. Have a great week!

Ice Castles 2010

2010-10-29T09:37:00.004-04:00

Boy, I thought my blog was obscure, but I've just been to the awesome Opthamology in Film blog - celebrating eye-related content in popular films - and discovered that Ice Castles 2010 never got a theaterical release.

Did we all miss it?

I was so excited to blog about the theaterical debut of 2010 so I could rehash about the original in 1978. (I have lots to say about the original - which will come soon.) But why didn't it make it to the theaters? Anyone know?

Is it just more decline figure skating's popularity in general?

Halloween Costumes

2010-10-19T12:04:00.019-04:00

Yes, Ice Mom, I'm going back to the well on this one. Buckle up kids and help me pick the silliest Holiday On Ice costume that may be the "best" Halloween costume at your local bar, neighborhood bash, or after-show cast party. Now, there are lots of beautiful costumes also for sale on the Holiday On Ice site, but that wouldn't be as fun to show you, now would it.

Up first: Some kind of "Eye" in the Bugs Bunny show.

Not to be outdone by the female version is the male eye from the same show:

This one features both male and female costumes and I can't figure out which one is creepier:

Could work out with the slate of zombie movies and tv shows coming out.

Okay, next is this guy is trying to look Mexican, but I don't know:

That poncho looks more like a navajo toga. And don't get me started on the mustache.

Which also makes me wonder how authentic this guys is:

Next up what I call the office peacock look:

This one is suppose to be a costume from the Caribbean:

And finally, this one's for Ice Mom:

So you tell me - which one is the best? Remember Halloween is just around the corner. If you want to know what NOT to wear, check out this article by Gawker.com

Disney On Ice gets another mention in the Washington Post

2010-10-19T11:16:00.006-04:00

under this headline: Abramoff associate Ring stands trial a second time

... cue the jokes about Disney On Ice!

That's right, this guy, Kevin Ring, is alleged to have procured illegaly, for his clients, among other things, tickets to Disney On Ice. Read the Washington Post article about it here.

Ice shows getting a shout out.

I wrote about it (and more importantly linked to the Washington Post's first article to drive a lot of traffic to my site, hee, hee, hee) the first time back in June of 2008.

So I promise to keep track of any mention of Mickey's ice skating leading to jail time, or some other far-fetched joke. But I think the lesson we can all take from this is that he did it for the kids!

Ice Capades Mini-Reunion This Weekend

2010-10-18T09:49:00.002-04:00

Another reminder, if you happen to be free this weekend, and happen to live in the greater San Francisco/Santa Rosa areas, and happened to have skated in Ice Capades.

Hey - if you skated for Follies or Disney or park shows only, I bet they would let join them.

When: Oct. 23rd, 2010 starting at 1:00 P.M.
Where: Santa Rosa, California (Linda Illsley's home)

We plan to start at 1:00P.M. That will allow us to visit, look at photos, etc. We'll have dinner in the early evening.
Lisa has arranged for WINE TASTING in the afternoon hosted by Dehlinger Winery, YEA! There will be lots of munchies in the afternoon (but lunch will NOT be served).

Linda has a fabulous outdoor park like setting and she is known for her entertaining skills!

We thought it would be a lot more fun to have the party at Linda's home instead of in a restaurant, etc. We can be together much longer and don't have to worry about disturbing others. We will ask everyone to contribute to the "party kitty" (probably about $25-$30 each) to help cover the cost of food, beverages, etc. If you are local and want to bring a dish; that would be great (please give Linda a call). I plan to bring a cake! Yea, no weigh-ins!

For those of you who don't know the area, Santa Rosa is just 50 miles north of San Francisco and is very near the famous Wine Country of Napa and Sonoma.
Our weather in Oct. us usually some of the nicest of the year. Please note it will still be HIGH season for hotel rates.

Please let us know if you can bring any DVDs or CDs with movies/photos of our performing days. Linda will have a theater set up to show/play them. Even "low tech" scrapbooks are a lot of fun to share.
I recently "found" 18 super 8 movie reels of Ice Capades and I am having them transferred to DVD, so they should be ready to bring and share!
There is the possibility to also go to the Shultz Museum and maybe work in some wine tasting at a few local wineries on Sunday.

It Gets Better

2010-10-13T09:39:00.007-04:00

I'm a day late for National Coming Out Day and, a dollar short, as the saying goes. And like Aaron at Axels, Loops, and Spins, I don't like to go beyond the crucial issues such as the basic showgirl diet, where to buy the most outrageous Halloween costume ever, or when the next Ice Capades reunion will be.

But I confess I didn't know how bad it was for teens and young adults that we need to tell them "It Gets Better." The news lately is heart-wrenching. I thought with TV shows like "Will & Grace", "Modern Family" or "Glee" we were showing gays as mainstream. You know, like it really is in the world.

Coming from a world of ice shows, I lived in a world where gay men were the majority. They outnumbered straight men, often by a large majority if it was a large ice show. If I may speak for these gay men, they would probably tell you it was nice to be in the norm, because often where they had come from wasn't. And it wasn't good. Family, neighbors, school kids could be very disapproving.

I wish I could be more articulate and offer a powerful essay on the incredible stories of the skaters I worked with, but I'm better at fiction. What I can offer though is it does get better.

Donald Jackson

2010-10-06T09:47:00.006-04:00

Olympic Medalist Donald Jackson named 2010 Skate Canada International Athlete Ambassador

Go here for the original post on Skatebuzz.

He was the coach for Holiday On Ice the year I joined in 1983. Back then the big ice shows did things like employ coaches full time to give the performers lessons, make sure that in every number the skaters had on either hats or wigs, and keep jugglers gainfully employed. Nowadays, none of that.

Truth is, most of the choreographers for shows today were excellent skaters in their own time, so a coach is not needed. The choreographer we had in HOI had been a dancer.

I'll never forget the look on Don's face, when the choreographer was putting together finale bows and she said, "Okay, you guys on this side, do your axels over here to the right, and you guys on that side, go over there and do your axels to the left."

As one of the understudies, I got to have a couple of private lessons with Don when he was touring with our show. He left after a month or so to go to the next division and help out there. What, you think each division got their own coach?

I still remember working with him, because I was sooooo nervous. What an amazing opportunity. A world champion helping me on double toes and loops. He had an amazing jump philosophy that I never forgot. I can't do it justice in writing, but if you email me, let's talk ....

Anyway, I'm sure I stood a bit straighter and had a little more spring in my jumps anyway (they don't call it nervous energy for nothing) but after one of those lessons, I improved by two years if it had been up to me alone.

Besides all of his skating accolades, he was a great coach as well! Thanks Don!

Another Ice Capades Reunion

2010-09-28T10:43:00.004-04:00

This time it's a on a cruise ship! It makes a lot of sense, because this ship has the ice show, the ice rink, and lots of mutual connections.

Ice Capades Reunion 2011 Bermuda Cruise

Where:

Royal Caribbean's
Explorer of the Seas
5 day Cruise to Bermuda

When:

Saturday June 18, 2011 -to- Thursday June 23, 2011

Dear Alumni:

Ice Capades was my life for so long. I am sure you have great memories like I do and would love the time to re-connect with past cast members as well as meeting new ones. So I am trying to find a good way for us all to enjoy each other's company with few distractions.

Reconnecting with old friends, meeting new friends and enjoying the luxury of time on board a truly incredible five star ship is what I am putting together. I have arranged for a wonderful escape on board a cruise to the gorgeous island of Bermuda in June of next year. Pricing is affordable and all inclusive, payments are easy to make and best of all we will have each other to make memories with once again.

I hope you find this idea appealing and will give it some consideration. I look forward to seeing you when we take Ice Capades first cruise! Bon Voyage!.

With Love,

Greg Bonin

Ice Capades Reunion
email: greyhoundgregory@aol.com
tel: 1-504-228-0915

P.S. Royal Caribbean needs a count of how many staterooms we will need no later than October 23, 2010. Please click on the link below to learn more details and to register TODAY. Don't miss the boat!

Get more information

Greg Smith of Expedia CruiseShipCenters is coordinating the group with Royal Caribbean. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact him at the number below

Greg Smith
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®
email: GregSmith@cruiseshipcenters.com
tel: 1-800-410-5451 x420