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More than 2000 North Bayites Rock the Ice with Elvis Stojko w/video

Extreme Champions Violetta Afanasieva & Pete Dack perform their unique number with hula-hoops Photo by Devin Size The ice wasn’t the only thing to be rocked tonight at Memorial Gardens.

Extreme Champions Violetta Afanasieva & Pete Dack perform their unique number with hula-hoops Photo by Devin Size

The ice wasn’t the only thing to be rocked tonight at Memorial Gardens. The energy flared off the rink and into the air with acrobatic performances by aerialist Emmanuelle Balmori and Extreme Champions Violetta Afanasieva & Pete Dack. Three-time World Champion Elvis Stojko showcased not only his renowned figure skating talent, but also his newly discovered singing endeavour.

“My Dad is a classically trained tenor, so I’ve had singing in my family my whole life and I wanted to bring it out,” Stojko said. “This is a new venture for me, but I just enjoy singing, and it was nice to be able to sing tonight for my wife and to have her skate here. It’s nice to use a different side of creativity that doesn’t use my legs.”

Stojko sang the title track from his debut album 100 Lifetimes as his new love and wife since June – Gladys Orozco skated around him. The new Mrs.Stojko is a former two-time Mexican National Champion and six-time Four Continents Competitor. She has played the role of Gabriella Montez in the on-ice rendition of High School Musical across the world. The two were dating for shortly over a year before Stojko proposed. They tied the knot soon after during a trip in Vegas.

“Skating and touring with my husband has been wonderful,” said Orozco. “I was nervous when I was skating to his singing knowing he was on the ice with me, but we always push each other to improve.”

The show is produced by Spotlight Production’s General Manager and MC of Rock the Ice, Daniel Weiss. Weiss himself is a two-time German Figure Skating Champion who competed on the international circuit in the late 80’s & early 90’s. This is the first Canadian tour for Weiss and Spotlight Productions – which have dominated the European skating tours.

The variety of artistic skating performances throughout the show truly makes Rock the Ice one of the most unique professional figure skating demonstrations touring today. The tour incorporates a local angle involving the figure skaters from each city with the Rock the Ice Challenge 2011. The North Bay Figure Skating Club had a large synchronised skating group that performed their number to a jazz cover of Rhianna’s Umbrella fully costumed – umbrellas and all. Stojko says that it was the best local performance he’s seen thus far.

“They were fantastic,” exclaimed Stojko. “Peterborough’s were the first to go, and they really set the bar, and Cornwall’s was pretty strong as well. North Bay really just wowed us though, with the costumes and how they had so many kids out there from all age groups and all levels, it was the whole package.”

One performance that stood out above the others was the extremely artistic number by champions Violetta Afanasieva & Pete Dack. Above the flawless skating manoeuvres, their act included a hula-hoop throwing component, where Dack skated around throwing her the hoops as she caught them on her hips. She would then take the dozen or so hoops off and throw them back to him one at time, never losing their composure all the while. Violetta says that she really enjoys the experience and adding her unique style into it.

“As soon as we stepped on the ice everyone was feeling it, so we were pumped up right away,” said Violetta. “Everyone was talking after the show in the dressing room about how great the reaction from the crowd was, and of course when the crowd gives more, you give more.”

Violetta also explained that the idea for her performance came from her past with her family.

“I started with the hula-hoops 19 years ago, my family was in Circus on Ice, so when I was finished skating competitively, I joined the Circus,” joked Violetta.

The Rock the Ice show included amazing acts with three-time Canadian Men’s Champion and Grand Prix Final winner, Emanuel Sandhu, who also recently placed in the top six of the hit TV show So You Think You Can Dance. There to lighten things up with his classic comedic routines was of course no other than the infamous Gary Beacom, who performed his legendary number to Leonard Cohen’s, I’m Your Man. Although Beacom has been a National, World, and Olympic team member, he has never won a title, but continues to be one of the most revolutionary skaters of all time.

It’s no wonder why this tour is called Rock the Ice. It does just that.

Video and photo gallery by Kate Adams