2005 GALA BENEFIT HONORING AJA ZANOVA

Ice Theatre of New York celebrated 21 years of artistic figure skating on October 17th, by honoring one of the greatest skating legends of all times, Ms. Aja Zanova Steindler. Aja is the 1949 and 1950 Ladies World Champion and is one of the first Iron Curtain athletes to defect to the West. A former star of both Ice Follies and Ice Capades, Aja is revered today, evidenced by the host of colleagues from her show days who attended to pay her tribute.

Co-Chairs of the evening were Ms. Ivana Trump, long-time friend of Aja's; Dick Button, two-time Olympic Champion; and Tom Collins, Producer of Champions on Ice. Many dignitaries as well as skating legends attended the event, like Aja's long-time friends Ivana Trump and Martina Navratilova, and skating greats Dick Button, Tom Collins, Hans Gerschwiler, Michael Booker and Peter Martell. Aja, a star still in her native Czech Republic, was reminded of the love her homeland holds for her with the attendance of Mr. Ales Pospisil, Consul General of Czech Republic in New York. The benefit committee assembled to present the evening was the biggest ever and included Barbara Ann Scott, Maria Jelinek, Randy Gardner, JoJo Starbuck, Ken Shelley, and ABC News Anchor Liz Cho. 

The evening began with the Company's performance of "Dance Visions on Ice" at Sky Rink, Chelsea Piers. Dance Visions on Ice is a celebration of choreography including works by JoAnna Mendl Shaw, Elisa Monte, Peter DiFalco, Heather Harrington, Carlos Orta, Douglas Webster and David Liu. Special guest artists included the two-time and reigning World Dance champions, Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov, the exquisitely graceful Yukina Ota, and Company principal, David Liu.

A cocktail party, delicious dinner and silent auction at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers followed the performance. Aja was thrilled and touched by the respect and testimonies. Doug Wilson and Jirina Ribbens co-produced an amazing DVD on Aja's life. Dick Button, in his masterful tone, animated her courageous life with his voice-over.   By the end of the biographical piece, there wasn't a dry eye in the place!

What a great way to kick off such an important year: Ice Theatre is 21 years old and poised beautifully to cut a deep edge and smoothly glide forward into another exciting year. Stay tuned!

For photos please go to 2005 Gala Benefit Honoring Aja Zanova

For tickets to the 2006 Benefit Gala honoring JoJo Starbuck and Ken Shelley (October 2006), please call the office at (212) 929 5811.