Ice Theatre of NY's 2014 Benefit Gala Honors Dr. Tenley Albright

Save the date! October 17th, 2014

Now coming into their 30th year, The Ice Theatre of New York celebrates another figure skating icon for their Benefit Gala and Performance at Chelsea Piers. This year's honoree is world and Olympic Champion, Dr. Tenley Albright whom I first met skipping onto the ice for Richard "Mr. Debonair" Dwyer's honoree performance two years ago in 2012. Tenley is absolutely delightful and an icon in the skating world. More than that, she is a surgeon who practiced for 23 years. In 1956 at the Winter Olympics hosted in Cortina d' Ampezzo Italy, Albright became the first American female skater to win an Olympic medal.

Richard "Mr. Debonair" Dwyer

The first American male skater to win Olympic Gold is the ITNY's Honorary Chair, Dick Button who did so at the games in St. Moritz in 1948. 

Dick Button and I at the ITNY's Benefit Gala a few years ago. 

So there will be a lot of figure skating royalty as usual at this event. Be sure to get your tickets now as these performances are often sold out. Visit The Ice Theatre of NY Online for details and tickets for this Benefit Gala and the Home Season shows HERE.

Winter Performances by The Ice Theatre of New York

Winter Holiday Skating Celebration at Riverbank State Park

Photo by Darial Sneed

This coming Saturday, December 8 at 4PM, Ice Theatre of New York will present its annual free Winter Holiday Skating Celebration at the rink at Riverbank State Park in Harlem.

The company will present its "Winter Suite," choreographed by Ice Theatre's Artistic Director and renowned ice choreographer, Douglas Webster. Seven-time British Ice Dance Champions and European Bronze Medalists Sinead & John Kerr will perform the duet.

The show will also feature performances by a synchronized skating team from Figure Skating in Harlem and performances by young apprentices. The performance will conclude with the lighting of the Christmas Tree by local dignitaries. (Program subject to change).

The volunteers from Starbucks Community Service will serve free hot chocolate to the audience. This concert is part of Ice Theatre of New York’s Outreach and Education Programming and is given to the community free of charge.

ITNY 2012 Annual Benefit Gala Event Honors Dwyer

Richard "Mr. Debonair" Dwyer performed this lovely number choreographed by Karen Kresge & Lisa Navarro as the 2012 Ice Theatre of New York Honoree.

 

Ice Theatre of New York's 2012 annual Benefit Gala and Performance honored America's most beloved ice show star, Richard "Mr. Debonair" Dwyer on Monday, October 22nd, 2012.  Mr. Dwyer also holds the Guinness World Record of the longest performing show skater in the world and was awarded a commemorative plaque at the end of his inspiring performance.

L to R Linda Fratianne, Dorthy Hamill, Sarah Hughes, Richard Dwyer, Debbie Gordon & Aja Zanova. Linda & Dorothy are wearing gowns created and donated by designer, Nicole Miller of  NYC.

This year's Ice Angel Award went to ITNY trustee, volunteer, and supporter, Debbie Gordon.  Debbie thanked her beloved husband for supporting her efforts and accepted her award during the benefit dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant on Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers, NYC.

Author & Editor Dr. M and Gina Magda at the cocktail party & benefit dinner held at the Lighthouse Restaurant, Chelsea Piers.

The Ice Theatre of New York's 2012 Arts & Business Partnership Award goes to Ice Skating Institute.


The the curtain went up at exactly 7 pm on the performance at Sky Rink, Chelsea Piers featuring Richard Dwyer and his Celebrity Dwyer Girls: Tai Babilonia, Dorothy Hamill, Linda Fratianne and JoJo Starbuck. Ryan Bradley, the 2011 US Men's Champion, was their guest performer.
  
Ice Theatre of New York performed selected pieces from its repertory, including the world premiere of a piece inspired by the music from Oscar-winning movie "The Artist", choreographed by Ice Theatre's Artistic Director Douglas Webster. Other repertory on the program are a re-stagings of "Inclusions" choreographed by Alberto Del Saz and "Transitions" by Douglas Webster. Some of the featured performers in the Ice Theatre repertory included Kim Navarro & Brent Bommentre, Sinead & John Kerr, Elisa Angeli, Joel Dear, Nicole Bobek, Ryan Bradley and Tyrrell Gene.
 

Past honoree, Dorothy Hamill (far left) poses with Richard Dwyer and Guests at the cocktail party and dinner following his performance.

Table settings for the Gala Benefit Dinner

This year we are also honoring the ISI, Ice Skating Institute, for their pioneering programming of tests and competitions from tot level through adult recreational skaters.  They were the first to structure competition to provide encouragement and reward participation. The ISI emphasizes en"joy"ment in skating performance; which is why they pair fittingly with our Honoree Richard Dwyer and with Ice Theatre of New York's mission.
   

The evening's MC , the ever effervescent Michael Buckley and Dr. M enjoyed Cocktails, auction, dinner and award ceremony at The Lighthouse, Chelsea Piers immediately after the performance (about 8:15PM)