This show was held on September 8th at Gund Arena in Cleveland Ohio and was the second annual event to help support the Scott Hamilton C.A.R.E.S (Cancer Alliance for Research, Education & Survivorship) Foundation. My travel mates, Jen and Carol, and I found that we had great seats, center ice about five rows up, three above the two rows of on-ice seats. This year's show featured live music from the band "Jack Mack and the Heart Attack." Their original music primarily consists of a Rhythm & Blues type of style and the band performed on a platform stage at the rink's end. They also performed covers of other performers' hits for the skaters. The music was great, very enjoyable, and really added to the high-energy nature of this show.
Scott Hamilton started off the show to the music of "Scott's Overture" and "Sliden". He was in a black, sparkling shirt and looked great, with lots of energy. The lighting included spotlights of stars sweeping the ice and the whole combination of Scott's skating, the lighting effects and the rapid beat of the music made for a lively start to this fabulous show. After the opening number, Scott caught his breath and talked about last year's show. He announced that each year the show was going to be different and this year, he shouted "It's Party Time!" Needless to say, that set the tone for a really fun, upbeat evening.
Scott's first friend to skate was Steven Cousins. Scott announced him, as one of the "best looking skaters" and Steven didn't disappoint. He was dressed in tight leather pants and a candy apple red t-shirt. His smile sparkled and he dazzled the audience to "Mustang Sally" performed by Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. The party had definitely begun and we found ourselves picking up on the festive mood.
Next to skate were Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen. They skated to "She's Lookin' Good". Yuka was wearing wine-colored, velvet looking slacks and a long-sleeved bare midriff top and Jason was in leather pants and a wine-colored shirt. Then, Scott's long-time friend, performer Susan Anton, joined the band and sang "Can't Turn You Loose". She remarked that "the ice is gonna melt before the show is over." Then she said a cute comment about "all those guys backstage in leather pants." Since the program had said that Todd would be skating to Bon Jovi, I actually wondered if his leather pants from Improv-Ice would re-appear. That's one costume I've yet to see "live", but alas, he wasn't scheduled to skate until later on in the show, so we'd have to wait and see.
Susan than sang another song "My Love is Alive" and Jenny Kirk joined her on the ice to highlight her talents. Jenny had just lost her mom to cancer within the past two weeks and I thought that it was very special that she was participating in this event. After that, Jenni Meno and Todd Sand skated to "I Can't Make You Love Me" and then Renee Roca & Gorsha Sur were up next and skated to a song by Aretha Franklin/B.B. King titled "Never Loved A Man the Way I Loved You" performed by the Jack Mack band.
Scott talked about the band saying that he had known them for 18 years and that their music had never failed to make him smile. They performed one of their own songs and then Scott started to announce Todd. Since Todd was the only skater to skate to pre-recorded music (we wondered if Bon Jovi wouldn't approve his music to be performed by someone else), it at least gave the band a chance to take a break. Scott's introduction of Todd was very special. He told a story of having seen Todd backstage last year walking around like a spectator all dressed up and having asked him "what are you doing here?" He said Todd responded, "I came to watch". I thought "what a great tribute to their friendship. Todd was there to support his friend and the cause, even if he wasn't performing". Well, Scott apparently told him that he was not allowed in the building this year unless he had come to "skate for his supper" and that's exactly what he had done. Scott said some other great things about Todd, how they shared a birthday and how Todd's been working harder then ever at 30 years old to win an Olympic medal. Scott called Todd from backstage and said, "I'm so proud of him---I love this guy!" You could tell that Todd was somewhat embarrassed by Scott's introduction, but also very touched by the sentiment.
Todd skated to "Thank You for Loving Me" in the black, sparkly, Exotica costume (oh well, no leather). He looked great and appears to be in great shape for the upcoming season. He completed all his triples, except for the lutz, which he doubled only because he ran out of ice (with the on-ice seats, the ice was smaller than he is use to and he moves so quickly that it's easy for him to run out of room). But, that means that he did land a huge triple axel, triple salchow, a beautiful triple loop and a triple toe. In addition to the doubled lutz, he also landed an intended double axel. The height on his Russian split jumps was superb and, of course, his closing spin was phenomenal. The audience was clapping before the end of the spin and all the Todd fans along with many others were on their feet for a standing ovation. It was obvious from his performance that he has been very dedicated to his training and Todd looks ready to take on the upcoming season. Afterwards, Scott came out and once again praised Todd and asked us for another ovation for him. We were all very happy to accommodate the request.
The show continued with Susan Anton singing "Color of Roses" and Yuka Sato skating. Then, Scott and Kurt Browning took the ice and clowned around for while. Needless to say, after listening to Scott and Kurt banter back and forth, the whole crowd was laughing. Then Scott proclaimed "Here's the King of Canada, my friend, my brother from another mother….. Kurt Browning". Kurt skated to "Brick House" by the Commodores performed by the Jack Mack band. He was definitely the "king of funk" and it was very clear that the party was still in "full swing".
Kristi Yamaguchi then joined Scott on the ice. Scott told the story about how he asked Kristi what her scheduled looked like for this date and when he told her why, she said, "I'll be there for you". Scott then claimed that Kristi is "the finest of the fine and the best of the best. She's the finest skater in the world." Kristi then skated to "Smooth" by Santana performed by Jack Mack and the Heart Attack.
After that came the group numbers. Scott, Steven, Kurt, Todd and Gorsha came out wearing black pants with wild, multi-colored, bright neon, flowery shirts. They skated to a medley of James Brown songs. This number was totally worth the price of admission to see. The shirts must have been borrowed from SOI, because Todd's was way too big for him, but you could tell he was having a great time. We were all laughing right along with him. The choreography was very creative, and included Todd and Steven doing fast footwork side by side down center ice. Steven was grinning like a Cheshire cat and Todd was laughing the whole way down the ice. It was great to see him skating with his friends, having so much fun. At one point, the guys were to go to people in the audience and pick them out to dance with. Kurt was right in front of us. He was kind of ballroom dancing with the lady that he had picked. Todd was on the other side of the ice. He and his "partner" were swaying and swinging hands. It was very cute. At the end of the program, Todd and the other guys ended up sitting on the edge of the stage and Scott was on the stage with the band. Scott said, "I've waited 18 years to do this" and pretending to be a conductor. Todd sat there kicking his legs to the beat as the band played and all the guys enjoyed watching Scott have his moment as the "leader of the band".
Next, was the girl's group number, skated to a variety of songs by the Temptations. They each wore a variety of bright-colored tank tops and perky little skirts. This was also a groovy and up-beat type of program that was lots of fun.
The show was nearing its end and Scott finished by standing center ice, talking to the audience. He mentioned several people that had faced cancer and survived. He asked all who attended to celebrate survivorship with those that had faced it, beat it, and gone on to live happy lives again. He claimed, however, that we still have too much loss. He recalled his mother's death to cancer. He mentioned the fact that Jenny Kirk just lost her mother to breast cancer. He stated that we still face the biggest challenge, to find a cure. He dedicated his next skate as a tribute to his mom and then looked at the audience and said, "you empowered me to come back to center ice to see the most beautiful sight in the world." At that point, Susan Anton began to sing the song "With One More Look at You". It was a very touching number and a sincere, appropriate moment for the show.
For the finale, "Land of a Thousand Dances", Scott announced each skater and where they were from. He said that Todd was from Chatham, Massachusetts and Detroit Michigan, which I thought was really nice, acknowledging both "hometowns". Scott also announced Todd as the next Olympic champion, and Kurt leaned over and whispered something in Todd's ear. No idea what Kurt said, but the rest of us were hoping that the Skate Gods had decided not to attend the event and had missed Scott's announcement. At the very end, they all ended up joining Scott in front of the stage. Standing side-by-side, arms around each other, with their feet crossed in front.
Heading back to the hotel, we all thought that it was one of the best shows we've seen in quite some time. Sure, it was a show full of great athletes and entertainers; but more importantly, it was a show full of true friends and their interactions simply made this show all the more special.
