Lights, Cameras and Dirty Socks?

Mirai Nagasu, Kristi Yamaguchi and Kimmie Meissner Backstage

So, the McDonald’s Family Tribute on Ice was fantastic last night! The cast did an amazing job. It was a mix between a full-fledged arena rock concert and extreme figure skating action. Sensory overload is the most concise statement I can make. I’ll keep this blog short, since I have a flight to catch and my last two were short novels…and I am working off of little sleep and a few glasses of legendary figure skater Peggy Fleming’s awesome home grown wine. She and her husband Greg started Fleming Jenkins Vineyards and Winery nine years ago, and the time and care put into their product is easily tasted. I had a Cabernet blend that was delicious (and now I’m feeling the aftermath of letting loose at the after party). Check out their website at www.flemingjenkins.com.

Some of the many show highlights: Ryan Bradley did a sweet routine to Van Halen’s “Jump” and landed a killer back--flip. I asked him how one trains to do such a feat, and he apparently just taught himself with no ropes or anything. Just push back and hope you don’t face plant. That’s a good philosophy to live your life by. I’m going to trade mark that.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto’s ice dancing routine to the song “Falling Slowly” was beautifully choreographed and a great change in mood for the set.

Evan Lysacek’s Michael Jackson routine was stellar (moon-walking and all). I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone take skating to a dance level that he has.

The live music added a level of energy and excitement that can’t be captured with a recording. The professionalism and choreography of skating moves to live music must be a daunting task. Kudos to everyone!

It’s great to see how everyone prepares differently for a show. I watched as Ben Agosto played a few blues lines on his Gibson Les Paul Standard. I even played around on it…very rarely though, because I was there to work…not hang out and play guitar (Ok, that was just in case my boss reads this. Hi Lynn!)

Ryan Bradley decided it would be fun to see how long it took John Baldwin to smell the dirty sock he was holding inches from his face while John attempted a pre-show nap. I think the game is called “See how long it takes John to smell the dirty sock I’m holding inches from his face…” I clocked it at 25-30 sec. He must have had a cold. Those things were nasty. There were a lot of hand-stands and voice impersonations; snacking on impressive cheese and fruit platters, as well as the last minute, pre-show jitters.

The celebrities were out in force as well, including Dancing with the Stars two-time winner Cheryl Burke, who won season 2 and 3 with Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith, Kim Kardashian and Shannon Elizabeth. See all the photos from the show at www.dissonskating.com.

I was given the opportunity to jump into the giant video truck where they recorded the show for NBC (It’ll be aired on November 16^th). It’s jaw-dropping how much work goes into it. There were producers and directors talking to the camera men staged all over the venue and choreographing seamless shots that faded, cut and panned at the right moments through the directions of an assistant director following the choreography notes of the show. The back wall of this behemoth semi-truck was a wall of video screens from every angle possible.

As this leg of the adventure comes to an end I want to note how much fun I’ve had. I can’t wait for the next one.

We'll keep you updated with all the latest happenings in the skating world. Cheers and like I always say enjoy life...Just push back and hope you don’t face plant :)

The next show is the Kristi Yamaguchi Friends and Family Show on October 12th at the
US Airways Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The cast includes Olympic gold medalists Jamie
Sale andDavid Pelletier, Olympic gold medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva, Olympic gold medalist
Viktor Petrnko, four-time world champion Kurt Browning, three-time U.S. champion and
two-time world bronze medalist Michael Weiss, Olympic bronze medalist Jozef Sabovcik,
and three-time U.S. pairs champions Jenni Meno and Todd Sand. Children of the skaters
are also expected to participate in the show, including Kristi's daughter Keara, who will
be making her debut on the ice at this one-time only show! The Jonas Brothers (Pop
sensations and stars of the Disney Channel original movie "Camp Rock") will join the
skating cast for a rockin evening of entertainment. The show is sponsored by CNW
Entertainment, a children's entertainment and educational company, showcasing its
CrocPond brand. Every child will receive a complimentary CrocPond gift at the show!