March 2, 2005
Skaters go on with the show
Twin Bays Skating Club's 13th annual ice show opens March 11
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
When the show ends Saturday evening, eight high school seniors on the Twin Bays Skating Club face a bittersweet moment.
After devoting years of their lives to skating, they will be performing in the annual club show for the last time. With years of high-pressure competition under their belts, the annual show each March has always been a chance for these seniors to relax a little.
"The show is more about fun than competition," said Sarah Jackson, a senior at St. Francis High School who skates freestyle and on the Northern Lights Synchronized Skating team. "This will be my 13th show, my last ice show."
"A Medley of Musical Moments" is the 13th annual show of the Twin Bays Skating Club, with a handful of the seniors participating in every one.
This year's event will feature more than 80 skaters from the club performing to a range of Broadway show tunes. The participants, who range from elementary age beginning skills skaters to the seniors at upper levels of competition, will strut their stuff for friends, family and the general public.
"I like just being able to perform," said Melissa Kilbourn, a senior at St. Francis who will be skating in her 13th ice show. "We go to practice all year and this is the time to show your parents and grandparents what you've accomplished all year."
This year's guest skaters are Meryl Davis and Charlie White, a junior dance pair; White will also perform solo. Both are up-and-coming skaters based at the Detroit Skating Club.
Show director Heidi Johnson said a themed show is more popular with attendees.
"They get into it more with a theme because it draws them in, rather than just having a recital we put on a show," said Johnson, who is directing the show for the second year.
Johnson selected the music and began choreographing the show three weeks ago. She has created 20 numbers to some of the most popular show tunes from hits such as "Sound of Music," "Guys and Dolls," "Cabaret" and "Gypsy."
"It is all music that people will recognize so that makes it more fun to watch," Johnson said.
As they do every year, parents of the skaters throw themselves into making props and helping out with every aspect of the production. A committee begins planning in the summer for the next event, tackling the myriad organizational and artistic challenges early.
"This show would not be possible without the parents," said Kris Jackson, publicity chair for "A Medley of Musical Moments." "The ice show committee starts early but when it comes to the crunch, every parent helps out."
The Twin Bays Skating Club's show will be held at Center ICE on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12. Evening shows both nights begin at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10 per person. A Saturday matinee at 1:30 p.m. costs $8 per person. Tickets are available March 2, 4, 7 and 9 in the Center ICE lobby and from the Twin Bays office in the arena weekday afternoons starting at 3 p.m. This Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., tickets will be sold at the Howe Arena. For more information or to purchase tickets by credit card, contact the club at 947-2267.