The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
Karen (prettyangel) and I are sitting in our hotel room at the Sheraton in lovely Hamilton We've been hanging out around the hotel today, so far we've ran into Brian Boitano, Linda Leaver, Leann Miller, and Jen Robinson! Very cool!! I think I saw Sonia and her little sister with the baby in the lobby when we got here, but I wasn't sure if it was Sonia, it sort of looked like her, but sort of didn't! Like 2 more hours to show time!!!! WHOOO
I probably won't be able to update after the show, we'll be too busy partying it up in the bar. I hope to come home with a good report, good pics, and good stories Wish all Kurt fans could be here tonight! I'll be thinking about you all.
But, I don't have very great information about Kurt's programs, because I was so entranced watching them that I missed taking notes, lol (it seems I have more details about everyone else's programs because I can at least bear it to look down and write something when they skate, but if you do that with Kurt, you could miss something good! Oh, the dilemma!). Anyway, I look forward to your report, Brenda!
NicoleM New Member
Posts: 3
(10/20/03 1:35 am) Reply
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
P.S. Love the pics!
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
this is a bit lengthy, but deal with it lol!!!
1st act
first off, HIS HAIR IS BLEACH BLONDE. the show started with kurt coming out and telling us there would be something a little different this year, then the cast slowly started coming out and skating around sort of warming up. he told us this would be the last time we'd see these skaters all night, because they would be playing characters all night long. roz was there again and came out to talk with david foster, i think roz only came out like one other time during the show.
then they all left the ice and came back out like 5 minutes later and kurt came out and welcomed us to club "Chez Shae", and introduced the skaters as the characters they would be playing. Shae and Vic, were the best dancers in town and the owners of the club. Todd was the bouncer, Brian was like the big shot or something, Isa and Lloyd were the couple that had been together forever (aw), jen was the shy girl, and i can't quite remember what jenni and todd were.
jen took the ice first and did her tango program - i think this is going to be her short program for this year. she fell on one of her jumps, but other than that it was a fairly good program. her spiral looks improved, her layback is great - but her footwork is a bit slow and sloppy, definetly needs some work. but she's an adorable presence on the ice none the less.
shae and vic were next. michael buble sang for them, the song sway. shae just kills me, she skates like she owns the ice, and it's great. she has the best attitude, her and vic just work so well together. the program was so cute, i really enjoyed it. hopefully we'll get to see it some more this season.
todd was next, and i really cannot remember what music he skated to for either program, but i really enjoyed this program. i am not a huge todd fan, but it was more upbeat for him and his spins are stellar - it's obviously the callaghan influence because tara's were always wonderful too. he had no mistakes on jumps or anything, it was really an awesome program. hopefully one he'll be using for soi this season.
jenni and todd skated next to im your man. jenni skated out and the end of todd's program and attempted to give him her rose and he didn't want it. so jenni get's all sad and looks around for someone to take it while todd sand get's on the ice and primps himself on the other side of the rink! i really enjoy this program on theirs, it just exudes the cuteness that is jenni and todd! she fell on the throw, but other than that it was excellent.
i think brian boitano was next with michael buble singing the summer wind. it's a really good program from brian and michael sounded fab as well. i know brian did a retake for this performance but i cannot remember what he messed up on. but it was really entertaining!
isabelle and lloyd skated to a friend to me next. i loove this program and i don't think i could ever get sick of seeing it. everytime i watch it, it makes me think of them retiring and i want to cry. i am going to miss these two a lot. isabelle fell on a spin, she looked a little surprised! during retakes for this part kurt was like what did you mess up on? did you not smile pretty enough? then isabelle told kurt she needed spinning lessons.
kurt was next doing moonriver sung by michael buble. another brilliant program jam packed with footwork and oozing the typical kurt charisma we all have come to know and love so well he didn't have to do any retakes for this performance.
2nd act
michael buble came out on hockey skates and sang fever while shae, jenni, and jen joined him on the ice, taking turns flirting with him. i think he was quite smitten with shae, as flirty with him quite a bit all night long! it was pretty cute to watch.
i'm a bit foggy on the order of the programs for the 2nd half
jen skated once again to teach me tiger, only wearing yet another costume for this program lol. she fell on one of her jumps in this program as well. when she came out for retakes kurt said to her hello gorgeus, and then she mentioned something about how she didn't even this that program would make the broadcast and kurt joked with her about how it wouldn't because of the dress she was wearing! too funny.
i think maybe todd was next. he skated to some piece of country music, it was a pretty good program, and another solid performance.
jenni and todd were next (?) and they skated to an old favorite, making whoopee! it's been a long time since i have really seen this program live, so it was almost like seeing it for the first time. there are many cute jenni and todd moments. she fell on her throw double axel, and it was quite obvious she was upset about it.
brian came out next and skated to hernado's hideaway. i think this is one of my favorite brian programs ever. i really enjoy the music and the way he interprets it and all, he skated it wonderfully.
shae and vic were next and skated to mack the knife - i think some of us were really hoping michael buble would sing this one for them. i really love the beginning of this program and all the flirty shae and vic moments. sometimes i think they are still in denial, but obviously that's just me wonderful performance though.
isabelle and lloyd came out and skated to in the middle. i looooove this program. the music just really suits them, bouncy and energetic! this program got the first standing ovation of the night! i am so glad these two did the show again, although they weren't expected to, it was a wonderful treat! especially with this being their last season, i'd like to see them many more times!!
kurt was next with his second solo, and i cannot remember the name of it. i really liked the music and the footwork was awesome, i am really hoping this will be one he'll use for stars on ice but i have a feeling it was just for this show :[ i really enjoyed it. he begged lee ann to redo his knee slide during retakes and for a bit she wasn't responded to him and he was like why isn't anyone listening to me and throwing little fake temper tantrums and begging her please please please let me do it! very humorous kurt moment.
then it was duet time with brian. kurt started it out alone, doing bits from hey pachuco, then brian finally joins him out on the ice. i don't remember much details, because i was just so excitied to finally see this duet! but they do a lot of mirroring each other and following one another, it was really the highlight of the show for me. at the end when they took their bows, karen and i held up our american and canadian flags and kurt elbowed brian and they pointed at us and smiled and waved! so cool!! tina has a picture of it on her kurtfiles site, here!
not to mention all the retakes they did with that number, so we got to see it quite a few times! they re-did the double axel like 2 times and niether one of them would rest until it was perfect for the both of them.
then there was a short little finale where all the skaters got back out on the ice together and left the club.
kurt came out and told us about the retakes, which i already mentioned some things about. but, i think the best moment was kurt sang piano man with david foster and he was out on the ice skating around too, and i think this is when he got his shirt all wet from some little summersalt thing he did on the ice, and his shirt was soaked. so when it came to do retakes for the duet, they told him he had to go and use a hair dryer on the shirt because obviously he shirt wasn't wet the first time around. other notables... when jenni and todd came out to retake the throw for im your man, jenni set the rose down in the wrong direction so the crowd in that area was yelling OTHER WAY she she laughed and fixed it. they tried to get kurt to sing again, but he said something about twinkle, twinkle little star and said the only person who likes it is about this big - he held out his hands about a foot or so apart, obvisouly refering to gabriel, then he looked around for him, but sonia wasn't sitting down anymore. retakes lasted quite a while, but that was okay by me!
afterwards we headed downstairs by the backstage area where it was obvious the reception was going to be. but, you had to have vip passes to get in, so we eventually got shooed away by a security guard so we went back to the hotel and sat in the lobby with a few other fans and waited for the skaters. the first person around was michael buble. there was about 10 or so of us that walked up to him and he just plopped himself down and just soaked up every minute of us talking to him. i found him to be a bit scary in the way he enjoyed talking to us so much, i have never seen someone soak up the attention so much, but i guess that's just the way he is. he was very sweet though and signed and took pictures until we were all satisfied. very good looking guy who knew he was italian and not french? shae came in next, but she didn't walk by us so we didn't want to approach her, she was dressed very nicely though! i think brian boitano was the next one in, and he was very sweet and very personable, the best experience i have ever had with meeting him, he get's a thumbs up for the night! he gushed about how much he enjoyed doing the duet with kurt and working with him. todd e was next, i had him sign my american flag, he was very sweet as usual. i noticed vic had come in the front door, so i made my way over to him and got his autograph and a picture. wow, i have to ask... when did he get so damn good looking? he's gotten better looking with age. before he left, i asked him if shae and him were still signed with COI and he said they never were, karen told him that TSN reported they signed a 4 yr contract with him, and he said that wasn't true, then i told him we all really want to see them join SOI! i think they'd fit in great with that tour. after waiting a bit longer, kurt finally made his way in the lobby!! my mom held out the sign and he said ah there it is! so he signed that first and talked to us about his hair, his soi guest appearances (i am 99.9% sure all his stops have been announced - which sucks... no rochester) i had him sign his biography and got my picture with him. karen told him that it was her and i that held up the and he told us thanks and said it was so cool to look up and see that!! then we headed up to the club/bar in the hotel. we sat down on this little seating area outside the club overlooking the balcony because the club was LOUD and trashy. nothing like last year. but mostly all the skaters ended up coming there at some point. since we were sitting by where they walked to get out we talked to a few of them briefly. jen and jenni were so sweet! jenni was like wow it's so loud in there! shae was trying to talk on her cell at one point and it was so loud she moved over by us and sat at the table behind us talking for a 1/2 hour or so. that's about it though!!
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
I’ve spent a great deal of this morning reliving my fabulous weekend by reading everyone’s reviews… Thanks to all who posted them. Also thank you Tina for putting links to the various reviews on your Website: www.kurtfiles.com/
My first thought is … How will Kurt top this? I’ve never enjoyed an ice skating show as much as I did this one. The Opening and Closing were done so well with music that was just perfect. The rest of the show was outstanding as well!!! I loved how the theme of the show held everything together and how the skaters virtually never left the bar/club area. I also liked how we got a peek at the skaters warming up, as Kurt spoke to the crowd. This added to the excitement and alerted the audience that they were going to see something a bit different than they were used to. I’ve read comments that the show was short, but I think knowing that retakes were virtually inevitable the length was OK. From the first second Kurt took the ice to the end of retakes the audience was quite entertained. I have never enjoyed retakes more. Kurt was quite into the entire night! I clapped so hard throughout the night that by the middle of act two I had Sore Muscles in my arms.
One of my favorite parts of the show was Kurt's duet with Brian.
One highlight from retakes was when Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler were on the ice doing over a spot when Isabelle fell while spinning. Kurt busted her up about having to teach her to spin again and then as she spun Lloyd moved his hands to pretend he was aiding her in a simple spin.
Joanne and I did things a bit differently this year. I changed US currency for Canadian in advance to avoid confusion that often accompanies paying in US Dollars. Unfortunately the rate of exchange has gone up. It was a bit over $80.00 to purchase the $100.00 in Canadian currency. I was expecting it to be in the $60.00 range. I guess Canada is doing something right (Or we’re doing something wrong .
The 529 miles trip was more leisurely because we left earlier and drove in the daylight most of the way. The ride was 9.5 hours (8.5 driving and a 1 hour stop). As soon as we checked in we got on the elevator and Isabelle Brasseur got on also. We exchanged greetings and any energy that I expended on the ride up came back. Once we got off the elevator, Quoting The Wizard of Oz, I told Joanne “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” Our entire stay was thrilling. It was so nice to see people from various boards throughout our stay. Some we met for the first time and others we were so happy to be seeing again.
It was also quite a thrill meeting several of the skaters (and their families). Our biggest surprise was when Todd Sand saw us and shook our hands exclaiming, “It’s been a while. Nice seeing you again.” We had never met Todd before and being recognized was nice. I assume that he recognized us from all the shows that we attended.
Another highlight was seeing Gabriel and Sonia. As they walked by us we peeked in the carriage and Sonia said hello to us.
We also ran into several other people including Michael Bublé, David Liu, Dewey, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Todd Eldredge and Brian Boitano. It was the first time I ever met Brian. I was surprised at his size. I expected him to be taller.
One thing that didn’t work out so well was our post show plans. Joanne and I brought some nice clothes and planned on going dancing. The atmosphere and music was not what we expected. The music was LOUD and nothing we recognized. People were packed in and the person at the door was frisking patrons as they entered. We stayed for about ½ hour and then left. We had a drink, but didn’t dance.
Needless to say that did not damper our weekend. We had a BLAST!!!
And if the weekend wasn’t great enough
As soon as I walked into the door from the ride back, I saw an envelope from the Dunkin Donuts Center. I opened it and there were my tickets for Stars On Ice.
On-Ice … Center Ice…
WOW!!!
What a weekend
Back To Reality
EddieFromRI
Thank You Tina / The Kurt Files for the SSU Photo/Avatar
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
Ah, GREAT reports, you two! I especially liked hearing the re-take highlights because there were so many that I had forgotten some of them (and knowing that, didn't even bother to post them lol). The soaked-shirt Kurt, and Lloyd "teaching" Isabelle her spin were both hilarious!
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
that's great about your soi tickets eddie!! i wonder when i'll be getting mine? i know they'll be on ice since rochester advance order sheet didn't say sold out. but, kurt isn't doing rochester. he made it sound like all of his stops have been announced. i am just wondering who the heck is going to fill all those holes left with no guest stars? steven hopefully? a girl can dream!!
awesome review too eddie! it was nice meeting you!!
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
I have been reading the reviews on this as well as the other message boards. Thanks everybody. It is so nice to hear everybody say what a great show it was, and Eddie, I guess the 529 mile trip was worth it if you consider it the best show you have ever been to. Way to go Kurt!
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
This is fabulous!! Thanks for sharing all the reviews. Tina at kurtfiles.com has started collecting reviews from various boards. Mine is there as "Gotta Skate: Yippee".
I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading everyone's impressions and seeing their pics. SO MUCH HAPPENED that it's tough to remember it all, and everyone is reminding me of different fun bits I'd forgotten!!
Brenlynn, I was sitting across from you guys, and saw your sign and flags!! Awesome!! Until I'd read it, I'd forgotten about the retake with Jenni placing the rose in the wrong direction, and that was such a hoot!! Wow, some fans are really observant. I would have never caught such a small detail!! And your encounter with not only Kurt and the other skaters, but Michael Buble, wow!! Your patience waiting in the lobby was well-rewarded!! I think he is an amazing singer ... and pretty darn cute too!!
Nicole, reading your review, I'd forgotten about Brian's quick stop spraying Michael with ice during "Summer Wind", and Todd separating Kurt and Brian from the "impending altercation" (hee hee). I don't know how you guys can remember things in such minute detail. This is the first time I've taken notes at an event, and it's really hard to do that and attend to everything taking place on the ice!! And I LOL'd when I read the phrase "color me impressed". Great one. Is that a Nicoleism?? Can I borrow it sometime??!!
Hope there's lots more posts to come on Gotta Skate. This is really fun!!
With all the skating Eddie has enjoyed, if he thinks it's the best he's ever seen, then we know it was really something special!! (Not like I needed convincing though!!)
i myself have been going to skating shows religiously since 1994 and this way by far the best i have seen. i really hope kurt does a fourth one next year, and sticks with a theme type thing. it really worked well. my mom did all the handling of the sign at the show as i was too busy taking pictures, which is why i held my flag up the wrong way i feel like such a goober for doing that! i realized it too late i was like ah shoot!!! but, kurt and brian got a kick out of it none the less! the flags and signs will be traveling with me to albany for ice wars lol! i have my ukrainian flag on the way for my girl oksana! i think her and viktor may get a kick out of seeing that flag in the audience, since it's one they probably don't see very often.
i really need to make an emoticon of kurt with the blonde hair! i think i'll do that tomorrow when i get a chance. by the way, i gave him a letter with the address to the board and told him briefly about it and told him to stop by if he ever got a chance. he told me he barely goes on the net, but he may anyways.
i cannot wait till the show is aired on tv! too bad it's so far away. i am going to buy my michael buble cd tomorrow!! i am really glad i got to see him live, he's amazing. he definetly gained a fan in me! it helps he is so sweet and good looking too
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
Indeed the 529 mile trip was worth it. The show had so many nice things. I loved how beautifully and seemingly effortlessly Michael Bublé sang. I enjoyed him much more than Deborah Cox (LY Gotta Skate). I can Never get enough of Kurt, but I felt his 2 solos as well as his duet, MC-ing and skating in the opening/closing was enough to take care of the Kurt-Withdrawal I was going through. The cast was so strong and the atmosphere was great. AND THE FANS Were Great. It was nice to see Todd Eldredge get such an ovation in Canada. There was more cheering and more ovations than I have heard and seen in a long time…And Deservingly so
And it was so nice meeting Board(s) members for the first time and seeing some again
And…Thanks for the Congratulations on my SOI Tix
Thank You Tina / The Kurt Files for the SSU Photo/Avatar
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
Brenlynn, getting a Ukrainian flag to wave especially for Oksana and Viktor, well that is a really thoughtful gesture. I was wondering about the conversation you had with Kurt about the blonde hair because it's sounds like he was sort of noncommital about it! During the show, when he said we'd understand later, I wonder if that was for the benefit of the TV viewing audience? Maybe V05 and Kurt are planning a promotional fluff piece to air during the actual broadcast!!
You know, Eddie, as I've been doing the rounds of various boards reading reviews, I'm really struck by how lucky (or spoiled) I am to be a skating fan living in Southern Ontario. It sounds like several thousand fans for a skating event in the U.S. is an excellent turnout, yet, in this region, that is considered a low turnout. Most shows or competitions I've attended in this general region are packed houses, so I was surprised to read reviews where people were impressed by the Gotta Skate turnout. It was probably the lowest turnout for a skating show that I have attended at Copps in many years!! I forget, sometimes, that I'm living in skating nirvana!! It's good to be reminded just how lucky a skating fan I am!!
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
I’m not certain what skater said it (I think Kurt or Jamie), but I believe it was mentioned as the US SOI was ending last year that the skaters were looking forward to playing to much bigger crowds.
I was pleased at the enthusiasm of the Copps crowd !!!
I haven’t seen big crowds In the US in several years. Hopefully COI cutting way back will help boost SOI’s ticket sales.
Thank You Tina / The Kurt Files for the SSU Photo/Avatar
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
Thanks everyone for sharing all of your wonderful reviews with us!! I'm glad that the show was such a hit, and that everyone had a wonderful time. Can't wait to see this one on tv.
Kathie
Todd Eldredge ~ THE THINKING WOMAN'S SEX SYMBOL
"His MISERERE by Bocelli is vintage Eldredge. Passion, smooth edges, clean line, and dazzling spins. Professional skating just doesn't get a whole lot better today."- Monica Friedlander/Blades on Ice/June 2003
Re: The obligitory Gotta Skate thread
i thought i'd post the big big big group shot of message board people in hamilton...
i know not many people on this board are in it, it's mostly sale & pelletier board memebers!
but you can find this boards mods in there im in the front row in the pink and karen is to the left of me in blue!!
i <3 kurt, steven, timothy, tara, oksana, sasha, shae & vic, tanith & ben, kyoko & john, and isa & lloyd forever!
NicoleM New Member
Posts: 5
(10/26/03 11:25 pm) Reply
Re: The obligatory Gotta Skate thread
LOL Jeanine! Don't worry, I may not have remembered the ice-spraying thing either except that I jotted down anything that I thought was cute at the time, and had the time to write down, lol. Since that came at the end of the number, I had time for that! And btw, I don't know that "color me impressed" is a Nicoleism; I must have picked that up somewhere, LOL! But, you're welcome to use it for a small licensing fee.
NicoleM New Member
Posts: 6
(10/26/03 11:34 pm) Reply
Re: The obligatory Gotta Skate thread
P.S. Jeanine, I just got the chance to read your impressions of the show. Nicely done! Are you sure that's your first review? Getting the program sheet from that lady was good thinking, and that's an idea I think I'll borrow in the future, LOL (and perhaps therefore avoid sentences like, "He skated to something called, 'When You Come Back to Me Again', or 'On a Prayer', or something like that...." ).
Re: The obligatory Gotta Skate thread
Hey Nicole ... licensing fee? Geez, I'm gonna be bankrupt by Christmas!!
Thanks for the kudos. Last year I jotted down a few thoughts about retakes at CSOI and I was thanked for the mini-review. Huh? Well, okay!! So this was my first "full" review where I actually took notes and stuff. I looked everywhere for a program and couldn't find one, unless the tiny blue pamphlets with skater's pics were the program!! The program sheet was just a lucky break ... she happened to be sitting in front of us, and I dropped all kinds of hints!! I'm so subtle !!!
I've been really impressed by the quality of reviews I've read (including yours). It's so tough to jot down notes AND attend to everything going on down on the ice surface!!! Kudos to everyone who does this routinely when they attend skating events !!!!
Re: The obligatory Gotta Skate thread
Thanks t oeveryone who took time to write a review ! It brings back wonderful memories to me ! I can't wait to see the show again on TV !!!
wonderful performance though.
i feel like such a goober for doing that! i realized it too late i was like ah shoot!!! but, kurt and brian got a kick out of it none the less! the flags and signs will be traveling with me to albany for ice wars lol! i have my ukrainian flag on the way for my girl oksana! i think her and viktor may get a kick out of seeing that flag in the audience, since it's one they probably don't see very often.
!!!
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