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.

Hamill Competes on Dancing With the Stars

Olympic Gold Medalist Ice Skater Dorothy Hamill competes on DWTS this season!

Just another milestone in Dorothy Hamill's stellar career of performing but this time she's off the ice and red hot! Actually Hamill has gone glam on another recent occasion as one of the Dwyer Celebrity Girls. She was one of the glamorous skaters for Richard "Mr. Debonair" Dwyer's Gala Performance last year for the Ice Theatre of New York.

Left to right, Linda Fratiani, Dorothy Hamill, Richard Dwyer, Tai Babilonia and Jo Jo Starbuck performing at The Ice Theatre of NY's 2012 Gala Event honoring Richard Dwyer.

As you can see in the photo above, Dorothy knows how to put on the Ritz and pull off the glamour!  While Dorothy Hamill won most hearts as "America's Sweetheart" for her wholesome "Girl Next Door" looks, the mark of any great performer is to be able to transform themselves to a new and exciting character.

I saw the rehearsals of Dorothy and her professional dance partner Tristan MacManus and was quite impressed. While there is a vast difference between ice skating, (or even ice dancing), carriage, poise and the ability to remember choreographed steps are all common denominators of both disciplines. When the music starts, everything you've rehearsed has to come together for that performance.  I think if you already have great posture and physical strength, you're going to be a bit ahead of the field.

Dorothy says that she simply would like to learn to dance and has no expectations of winning this.  I predict her competitive training will surface, making her a prime contender.  The press points up that at 56 she is the oldest competitor this season on Dancing With the Starts.  Pfffft!!!  Wine isn't the only thing that gets better with age.  

At the 2012 ITNY Gala Event, Dorothy Hamill, (far left), is in fantastic athletic condition.

I spoke with Dorothy just last fall at the ITNY's 2012 Gala Event and she is in phenomenal shape!  Prepare to be amazed people. She is NOT going down without a fight (or some fancy footwork). Tune in tonight at 8 pm eastern time for the season's kickoff with Dorothy and other competitors who are: actors Andy Dick and Ingo Rademacher, Disney star Zendaya Coleman, comedian D.L. Hughley, singers Wynonna Judd and Kellie Pickler and reality stars Sean Lowe and Lisa Vanderpump.  

Below, Dorothy performs to "Moon River" in her own element as the Ice Theatre of NY's 2010 Honoree.