By Debbie Adams
The Lancerlot Sports Complex and the Blue Ridge Figure Skating Club teamed up on Dec. 10 and 11 for “Skating Through the Decades” at the Lancerlot ice rink.
This is the fifth program the skaters have performed at the venue. According to Meghan Noga, the Lancerlot’s ice skating director, the figure skating program and the Blue Ridge Figuring Skating Club are both fairly new to the Lancerlot and the area.
The Theater on Ice program began in May 2021 as a chance for skaters to learn choreography, work within a group of all ages and ability levels, and showcase fun, theatrical programs. The figure skating program has evolved from a very successful “Learn to Skate” program at the Lancerlot.
Other productions have included “Beetlejuice” in the fall of 2021, “The Wizard of Oz” in the spring of 2022, and “Holiday Show” last winter.
This weekend’s program featured music from the decades of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, with both group and 19 soloist performances. Their coach is Addalai Clark, the head figure skating coach for the Lancerlot.
The 60’s songs featuring the skaters as a group were “Come Together,” “The Beat Goes On,” and “Do You Believe in Magic?”
Soloists featured in the 60’s segment of the program included: Isabella Fagiani in “The Song is Love”; Sophia Rush in “These Boots Were Made for Walking”; and Savannah Colleluori in “Black Bird.”
Songs from the 70’s included “September,” Right Back Where We Started From,” and “Last Dance” for the group performances, as well as soloists Kenzie LaVenture skating to “Tiny Dancer”; Paige Sykes, “Dancing Queen”; Tess Notebaert “Same Old Song and Dance”; Bella DeGonzague, “Everlasting Love”; Jordan Lucas, “Your Song”; Brynn Leigh, “S.O.S.”; and Cheka Brindle, “Bennie and the Jets.”
Eighties songs included “We Built This City,” “Straight Up,” and “You Make My Dreams Come True” for the group performances. Soloists included Elliana Foutz performing “Bette Davis Eyes”; “Willow Cooper, “Material Girl”; Marley Sparling, “Sweet Dreams”; and Faith Baker, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.”
Nineties songs included “Dreams,” “Wannabe,” and “Believe.” Soloists performing were “Amanda Kelly with “Zombie”; Hannah Thompson, “Basket Case”; Irena McCormick, “Smooth”; and Ella Paulos, “Thunderstruck.”
Clark says the ice skaters have been working on the “Skating Through the Decades” program for 18 weeks with both on and off the ice practices. Some of their practice time is spent in the Lancerlot’s aerobics studio, practicing choreography and synchronization using the mirrors there.
Noga says that one of the goals of the figure skating program is to eventually take part in competitions. She remembers traveling to Chicago, Vermont, and other destinations to compete “as a kid.”
Students in “Skating Through the Decades” ranged in age from 7 to 25. In a previous figure skating show, one skater was age 56. The Learn to Skate program at the Lancerlot accommodates those of all ages. Noga says that if ice skating is “on your bucket list” it’s not too late to take up the sport.
Students come from all over the valley and beyond— Christiansburg, Floyd, Blue Ridge, Montvale, Vinton, Roanoke, Fincastle, and more.
The next Learn to Skate session begins on Jan. 7 with two 45-minute sessions at 12 and 12:45. They offer beginner, adult, and advanced classes which last for six weeks. Learn to Skate classes teach the fundamentals of ice skating and provide a foundation for figure skating, hockey, and speed skating.
For more information, visit the Lancerlot website at www.lancerlotsportscomplex.com or the Facebook page.
The Blue Ridge Figure Skating Club is working towards full club recognition and membership in the United States Figure Skating Association. They are working with the Lancerlot by hosting and sponsoring figure skating programming including Learn to Skate and Theatre on Ice.
For more information on the Blue Ridge Figure Skating Club, they also have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/blueridgefigureskatingclubva.
