kurtfiles

 
Home
Profile
Record
Articles
News
Photo
Stars on Ice
Music
References
Miscellaneous
 
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2017
2018
2019
2020
2022
2023



Elvis has impressed the building

Source: The Peterborough Examiner
Date: February 7, 2013
Author: Dale Clifford
Excitement was high at the beginning and the stars delivered right to the end at the Rock The Ice IV figure skating extravaganza at the Memorial Centre on Wednesday night.

The spectators, an estimated 2,300, showed their approval throughout the show, which lasted about 2 1/2 hours, with much applause and cheer.

They all had their favourites and Canada's Kurt Browning, Elvis Stojko, Joannie Rochette, Jeffrey Buttle and Shawn Sawyer didn't disappoint.

Being a Canadian/European themed affair, put on by Spotlight Productions, they also were thrilled by performances from stars across the sea such as the brother-sister team of Sinead and John Kerr, Italy's Stefania Berton and Ondrej Hotarek, as well as Valentina Marchei and Russia/Britain's Fiona Zaldua and Dmitry Sukhanov.

Live singing was provided for the first time by German singer Markus Engelstaedter, who sang during five skating performances. Daniel Weiss of Spotlight Productions was on-ice host along with P.J. Kwong of CBC Sports who provided much of the humour as an announcer/commentator.

The show got off to a resounding start with Live and Let Die from James Bond and sung by Engelstaedter. It involved the entire cast.

Marchei opened the set with the first individual performance, a soft, beautiful number which showed her grace and Sawyer followed with an upbeat piece that got hands slapping and toes tapping.

Berton and Hotarek kept it going with the moving I've Had The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing and the Kerrs brought Scotland to the ice performing to the haunting sounds of the bag pipes.

The show returned to Canada with Buttle making his first appearance here since the first show and showing he hadn't lost his touch or power, skating to Fleetwood Mac.

Rochette gave a soulful performance to Isn't It A Crime and synchronized skating was featured in a lively performance by the Nexxice junior team.

The music of the Tragically Hip took centre stage with the dazzling yet moving performance by arguably Canada's favourite male skater Browning, who by most accounts drew the loudest cheers.

The live powerful voice of Engelstaedter was featured as Zaldua and Sukhanov performed to Scorpions' tender Still Loving You.

The German singer remained right where he was to sing Queen's Who Wants To Live Forever? and Stojko provided the emotion and strength on ice.

Lakefield's Brenda Farrow brought her granddaughter Lizzie St. Pierre-Farrow, 10, along and they took in the show for the first time.

"It was excellent," said Brenda. "Joannie was beautiful and I like to see Elvis's spins. It was nice to have the singer. You need music to skate and it was good to have him here singing."

Her granddaughter agreed and added: "I like the colours on the ice because you thought the ice was changing colour. I like the outfits, especially those who wore purple (Zaldua and Sukhanov)."

There was also be a local touch to the evening's show with a group from the Peterborough Figure Skating Club opening the second half with a number together, skating to their own Gangnam Style.

The skaters all spoke about how they enjoyed doing the show and skating in Peterborough.

Sawyer and Marchei continued with raucous numbers. The Kerrs slowed it down to Mad World and Berton and Hotarek continued the pace with the bluesy New York State of Mind sung live.

Engelstaedter continued with his voice and Buttle provided the dance, skating to the haunting Fields Of Gold, performed on the big stage recently by Celtic Woman and Zaldua and Sukhanov brought a more classical feel to the ice with their second number.

Rochette provided a change of pace with a Moulin Rouge style performance that had a certain Gay Paris look to it and Stojko rocked it to The Knackā€™s My Sharona.

Then came the moment many people were waiting for. Led by the voice of Gene Kelly, Browning brought back his skate to Singing In The Rain and knocked it out of the park, drawing a standing ovation. He was even helped by a little rain shower, cleverly coming down from the ceiling to wrap it up.

Sisters Sharon O'Brien and Carole Constable enjoyed their Christmas gift, which was also their first time to the show.

"It (Browning's last skate) was a highlight for me," O'Brien said. "It is a classic."

They both agreed all the skaters were good and put on a great show.

"It was entertaining and they were all wonderful," added Constable.

When it was time for the grand finale, the entire troupe finished the night the way they began, to James Bond. This was a tribute to the latest, Skyfall.

Then just like that, it was over.

Until next year. And it looks like that is going to happen with Rock The Ice V.