For a special night out, consider the Hudson Valley Ice Dance Holiday Performance this Saturday. Boundless Edge Skating School of Saugerties will present its eighth annual show on ice, spotlighting professional skaters and students from the school as they slide and glide to a variety of musical selections. The program will include a piece called Till the End of Love, set to Moby’s “Great Escape,” a funeral march by Leonard Cohen and the Frank Sinatra standard “Fly Me to the Moon.” This six-person dance delivers the hopeful message of love outlasting death, as skaters portray the passing on of one character to the next life, then mourning that turns into rejoicing. It’s a serious yet bright portrayal. CelticTechno is a riveting piece that has a trio of skaters jumping, spinning and doing cartwheels exuberantly. (Shall we imagine Michael Flatley on blades?) Then The Path to Peace features three graceful and elegant women skaters fl owing serenely across the ice. This piece is set to original music by famed New York composer and saxophonist Andrew Sterman. It’s a deeply contemplative and melodic selection that highlights the stunning expertise of the skaters.
The program presents an ensemble of seven key skaters – Beth Woronoff, Alysen Stryker, Sara Forsythe, Carl Carozza, Ana Alexander, Naomi Kligler and Diana Johnson – some of whom will perform outstanding solos. While not strictly holidaythemed, it focuses on a rather spiritual expression of the art. Woronoff, who is the founder and director of Boundless Edge, says, “It’s going to be a very uplifting performance: something that will inspire people to want to come and skate themselves, and perhaps make art. Everyone is very committed to what they’re doing.” She reports that this year’s Holiday Performance, to be held at the Town of Saugerties Kiwanis Ice Arena, includes skaters who range from 9 years of age to 60, and will conclude with a piece set to Charlie Brown’s Christmas tune.
Boundless Edge Skating School serves students from 3 years of age and up. Its focus is “to teach the unique movement language that its founder has created and to aid students in developing their own authentic style.” Woronoff is a former ensemble member and choreographer for the Ice Theatre of New York, and has skated works by well-known dance choreographers throughout the US and Canada.
The Hudson Valley Ice Dance Holiday BERENGER GARNICA (LEFT), SARA FORSYTHE (CENTER) AND ARIEL GARNICA (RIGHT) PERFORMING CELTIC TECHNO Performance will be held at the Ice Arena in Saugerties on Saturday, December 19 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (845) 247-2590 or visiting the arena. Skating enthusiasts are encouraged to buy tickets early, as seating is limited.