2004 WINTER FESTIVAL

Ice Theatre of New York continued its 20th Anniversary celebrations with Winter Festival 2004 performance series at Sky Rink, Chelsea Piers, December 27 – 30th. Winter Festival featured several premiers by both dance and ice choreographers. “Twist”, a stunning and energetic duet, the first work on ice by renowned New York dance choreographer, David Parsons, premiered at the Festival. “Twist” made possible by the commissioning grant from New York State council on the Arts, was performed by French/Israeli pair champion Line Haddad and Broadway dancer/professional skater David Tankersley, both members of the Ice Theatre Ensemble. Three other works premiered at the Festival: “The Lottery”, by emerging modern dance choreographer, Heather Harrington; “Enchanted Evening”, a stylish, cocktail-inspired, 12-skater piece by Associate Artistic Director Douglas Webster; and “2:1”, a new trio by choreographer/Olympic and principal skater David Liu. Liu also performed a solo by the late Venezuelan choreographer Carlos Orta, “El Duende”

Winter Festival also featured two special ensemble pieces; “Cracked Ice”, a playful rendition of a ballet class created by prima ballerina/principal skater Katherine Healy, her second commissioned work for Ice Theatre. Miss Healy also performed one of her signature solo pieces, “In the Mood”.

Joining the Company again this year was seven-time Georgian champion, Vakhtang Murvanidze, as well as four apprentices, who performed in solo and ensemble pieces.

Winter Festival was a remarkably innovative event. The merging of modern dance with traditional figure skating was cutting edge indeed, and created an ice show like no other, proving that Moira North’s dream of combining the two performing arts genres is not only possible but is happening!