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)

  

Johnny Weir's ITNY 2010 Gala Video Performance of Heartbroken

Johnny Wier's signature performance of "Heartbroken" for the Ice Theatre of New York's 25th Anniversary Benefit Gala. Weir did the choreography and costume design especially for the Ice Theatre of New York. Watch for the interview with Johnny joined by Sarah Hughes at the end of his performance!

Johnny Weir was a guest performing artist for this year's Ice Theatre of New York's 25th Anniversary Benefit Performance. Johnny is a 3 time National Champion, World Bronze Medalist and a 2 time Olympian, (recently at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games). As you can see in the video, from his original choreography to his unique costume design, Johnny is one of the most avante-garde performers on ice today. Johnny joined in the celebration of the Ice Theatre of New York's 2010 Home Season and has contributed his outstanding artistry and creativity to their events.














Johnny Wier on the ice as Dorothy Hamill receives her bouquet and award from The Ice Theatre of New York. See Dorothy Hamill's Complete 2010 ITNY's Gala Performance!

This event is held each year at the Sky Rink Chelsea Piers, NYC with the cocktail reception following at The Lighthouse Restaurant on Pier 61. Johnny Weir, Sarah Hughes, JoJo Starbuck were the celebrity guest skaters on program this year.














Blast From the ITNY Past:
The lovely Ivana Trump and my escort Joseph Y. Miczak attending the 2006 21st Anniversary ITNY Gala reception at the Lighthouse Restaurant.

ITNY 25th Anniversary Gala Honors Dorothy Hamill VIDEO

Dorothy's timeless performance to Moon River, (Henry Mancini) as honoree of the Ice Theatre of New York's 25th Anniversary Gala! This special performance took place on Monday night, October 25th, 2010 at the Sky Rink, Chelsea Piers. Watch for the personal interview with Ms. Hamill at the cocktail reception which followed.

The Ice Theatre of New York pulled out all the stops for their 25th Anniversary Benefit Gala this year. This year's honoree, Olympic Gold Medalist, Dorothy Hamill was joined on the ice by skating greats: Two time Olympian Johnny Weir, 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes and two time Olympian JoJo Starbuck. This was a sold out event with more than 750 in attendance. ITNY's founder, Moira North, skating legend Dick Button and fashion designer Vera Wang came on the ice to present Dorothy with her award for the evening. (Pictured here is a unique jewelry piece designed & donated by Vera Wang for the Silent Auction)

The cocktail reception which followed was hosted by the Lighthouse Restaurant on Pier 61. Vera Wang was on the scene first so I enjoyed speaking with her briefly between photos. Dick Button who is a fixture and main supporter of the ITNY stopped by to say "hello" with former honoree, Aja Zanova of Prague, Czechoslovakia. Later came Johnny Weir, Sarah Hughes and Moira North who posed for photos and interviews with Dorothy (see my interview with Dorothy at the end of her skating performance in the video above).

The Ice Theatre of New York is supported in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and is widely known as the Nation's Premier Ice Dance Company. The ITNY's community outreach program aimed at inner city children offers inclusion rather than exclusion to those seeking to be part of what is now called "theatre on ice". As one of the founding skaters in Ice Capades, Hamill has had four ABC television skating specials in her honor and worked with disadvantaged children in Harlem. Hamill is a most a fitting candidate for this distinction. ITNY's past honorees I have covered include, Moira North, Aja Zanova, Nancy Kerrigan and Paul Wylie.

A Blast from the ITNY Past:
Dick Button and Dr. M. enjoying the reception at the 2006 Ice Theatre of New York Gala honoring Czechoslovakian skater Aja Zanova.
Notice all the fur I'm wearing. It was a LOT colder in October back in "those days"!