STYLE 1 MEDIA >>> ICE THEATRE OF NEW YORK GALA HONORS JOHNNY WEIR
Ice Theatre of New York's "Dare To Be Different" Benefit Gala and Performance
Sky Rink & The Lighthouse, Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, NY, NY | 10.24.2011 | by Merry Esparza
The Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY) welcomed supporters to its 2011
"Dare To Be Different" Annual Benefit Gala and Performance at the Chelsea Piers this week.
The gala featured a program of dazzling ice dance choreography and performance from ITNY's 2011/2012 Season
repertoire, followed by a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner, and an awards ceremony at The Lighthouse.
ITNY Artistic Director Moira North, and Executive Director
Jirina Ribbens
shared the podium to honor three-time U.S. National Champion and two-time Olympian, Johnny Weir,
and benefactors Margarita Sears and Ice Rink Events.
(left: ITNY Artistic Director Moira North and Honoree Johnny Weir)
The performance program at Skyrink began with Caruso, a mesmerizing aerial and ice piece
choreographed and performed by Elisa Angeli. Entwined in a length of red fabric,
Ms. Angeli elegantly and acrobatically spins herself down from the high rink ceiling, dances with the fabric on the ice
floor, and spins her way back up.
The ensemble piece, Primavera, choreographed by ITNY Associate Artistic Director Douglas Webster
features striking visual dance formations created by ice dancers Alizah Allen, Ali Blank, Brent Bommentre, Eve Chalom, Joel Dear, Taylor Grant, Lauren Hunt,
Jessica Huot, Alicia Jackson, Kevin Sidwell, Jamie Silverstein, Michael Solonoski, Wendy Wilke, and
Sarah Zanolli. Mr. Webster choreographed two more pieces in the program, Falling Leaves,
performed by Elisa Angeli and Eve Chalom, and Transitions, featuring
Alizah Allen, Ali Blank, Brent Bommentre, Joel Dear, Taylor Grant, Jessica Huot, Jamie Silverstein, and Michael Solonoski.
Honoree Johnny Weir commanded the ice in two solos, Meditation,
a self-choreographed piece full of grace and emotion, and Bad Romance, an edgy piece choreographed
with Nina Petrenko and with music by Lady Gaga. Mr. Weir designed his own costume for this piece,
with elements of masked harlequin and superhero.
Greg Wittrock was at once malevolent and comical in his energetic piece,
Ronnie Resentment, in which he channels adolescent rage into an ice dance.
Elisa Angeli, Eve Chalom, Jessica Huot, Alicia Jackson, and Wendy Wilke performed
Inner Eye, choreographed by Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble Artistic Director
Jim May. The program closed with Peter diFalco's Tango Images,
performed by Elisa Angeli, Brent Bommentre, Eve Chalom, Joel Dear, Taylor Grant, Lauren Hunt, and
Alicia Jackson. This fiery piece incorporates tango movements, flamenco postures, and superb ice dancing technique.
ITNY presented the annual Ice Angel Award to Margarita Sears and
the Will Sears Fund, and honored
Ice Rink Events with the annual
Arts and Business Partnership Award. Skating legends in attendance included Olympic Champion
Sarah Hughes; former World Champion and ITNY 2005 Honoree, Aja Zanova Steindler;
and two-time Olympic Champion and television skating analyst, Dick Button.
The guest of honor was the legendary Johnny Weir, whose superlative talents on the ice and vibrant personality
have elevated him to superstar status and endeared him to the public. Unabashedly gay and charmingly flamboyant, he continually challenges gender
stereotypes in his performance and choreography.
Says Mr. Weir: "I have never dared to be different; I have only dared to be myself."
At the age of twenty-seven Johnny Weir has accomplished more than most people will in an entire lifetime.
The 2001 Skating World Junior Champion went on to become three-time U.S. National Champion from 2004-2006; World Championship Bronze Medalist
in 2008; U.S. Olympian in 2006 and 2010; and two-time Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalist. He was the United States Figure Skating Association
and Skating magazine winner of the 2008 Reader's Choice Award for Skater of the Year.
In the world beyond skating, Johnny Weir has modeled in runway shows and a fashion spread for BlackBook magazine.
He has appeared on
The Tonight Show, Chelsea Lately, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, E!’s Talk Soup,
and Be Good, Johnny Weir, his own 8-episiode reality show/documentary, for which he won the
2010 NewNowNext Award for Most Addictive Reality Star. Also in 2010, he received the Human Rights Campaign-Seattle Visibility Award given to
individuals who are living open and honest lives. In 2011 he released his autobiography, Welcome to My World,
published by Gallery Books, and was named Grand Marshal of the Los Angeles PRIDE Parade.
Proceeds from the "Dare To Be Different" Annual Benefit Gala and Performance support the
Ice Theatre of New York's public outreach programs and help finance the company's 2011-2012 season.
For more information, please visit: www.icetheatre.org
