Ice skating makes the seemingly impossible feat of jumping and spinning on thin metal blades a reality, as if the skaters are dancing on ice — and at the Ice
Photo courtesy of Hideki Aono Ice skating makes the seemingly impossible feat of jumping and spinning on thin metal blades a reality, as if the skaters are dancing on ice — and at the Ice Theatre of New York, performers do exactly that.
Founded in 1984 by Moira North, the Ice Theatre of New York is the nation’s first not-for-profit professional ice dance company, aiming to advance ice dance as an ensemble-based performing art. The professional ensemble’s home season performances were on May 1, 2 and 4 at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, with a benefit gala following the May 4 performance.
The gala performance featured a setlist full of stunning artistry, as well as special performances by 2026 Olympians Ilia Malinin, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik. The benefit dinner and award ceremony honored 2022 Olympic champion Nathan Chen and “Stars on Ice” producer Byron Allen. Sarah Baetge and Liz Yoshiko Schmidt perform Peter DiFalco choreography, restaged and directed by Joe Johnson.
Fundraising from the event will support ITNY’s outreach initiatives to spread the art of figure skating across the city through its free “City Skate Concert Series” at seasonal outdoor rinks and its arts education programs on ice dancing and figure skating that serve 1,000 NYC school students annually. Thank you for subscribing!
“Since its inception, has enriched the city’s cultural landscape,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
“Through dazzling shows and concerts, as well as classes and workshops, showcases the best of the art form while supporting future skaters as they carry on the tradition for generations to come. ” The show opened with 10 of the 16 ensemble members skating to Vaughn Williams’ “The Lark Ascending” — choreographed by Rob McBrien and re-staged by Sarah France — inspired by a quote from 1976 Olympic champion John Curry stating that “the simplest movements in skating can be the most beautiful and most meaningful ones.
”Company skaters Liz Yoshiko Schmidt and Aaron Singletary performed a world premiere duet choreographed by two-time Olympian Kaitlyn Weaver. Malinin skated to “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” covered by YUNGBLUD, while Zingas and Kolesnik performed to Hozier’s “Work Song. ” Music selections also included an electrifying solo to Prince’s “Purple Rain,” choreographed and performed by Emmanuel Savary, and a thrilling tango group piece choreographed by Peter DiFalco and re-staged and directed by Joe Johnson.
After the gala performances, guests moved to The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers for a cocktail reception and awards dinner, which was attended by several members of the 2026 Olympic figure skating team. Entire cast of the ITNY Benefit Gala performance, including special performer guests Emmanuel Savary, and Olympians Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik and Ilea MalininAt the dinner, Byron Allen received the Arts and Business Award for his work as a producer of “Stars on Ice” — a figure skating performance tour showcasing top Olympic and World champions — over three decades.
Honoree Nathan Chen was selected for his background as a trained ballet dancer and his role as a pioneer of quadruple jumps in the sport.
“For more than four decades, ITNY has done something that almost no one in our sport thinks to do — they have insisted that figure skating belongs in the same conversation as contemporary dance, music and visual arts,” Chen said in his acceptance speech. “But what moves me even more is what happens off the stage and ice, introducing so many New York City public school children to the joy of ice skating.
That is how our sport and the art form grow. ”or follow @icetheatreofny on Instagram and Facebook. Trio: honoree at ITNY 2026 Benefit Gala, Olympic & World Champion Nathan Chen, with his first coach Stephanee Grosscup and Olympic Champion Timothy Goebel, who were also Chairs of the ITNY Benefit Gala
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New ICE leader announced as acting director Todd Lyons leaving agencyToday's Video Headlines: 05/13/26
Read more »
Paramount Summer Classic Film Series Finds New Homes as Historic Theatre Closes for RenovationThe Austin Chronicle is an independent, locally owned and operated alternative newsweekly that reflects the heart and soul of Austin, Texas.
Read more »
11 Best New Dollar General “New Arrivals” Hitting Shelves This WeekBest Life is your one-stop destination for timely and research-backed lifestyle & wellness news and advice so you can live your best and healthiest life.
Read more »
Melting of Greenland ice sheet could release methane 'fire ice'Seismic surveys and sediment cores suggest that dozens of deep pockmarks on the sea floor were created when Arctic methane stores were disrupted by climate change after the last glacial maximum – and scientists warn it could happen again
Read more »