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Great!!! Sounds like its going to be another great show!

Gail asked me to post this for her...

Hi, there. We're back from Mike's show, and we had a wonderful time as always. Be sure to check out the comments at this thread, starting on page 3 & continuing on page 4. A number of other posters were able to identify the music that we didn't quite recognize. One of the attendees also posted a link to 155 (!) fabulous show pictures). Another poster on page 4 has two wonderful photo links (the pre-show reception the day before, setting up for the show and the actual show, so don't miss those). Before the show, Lisa Weiss came up to me while I was talking to our cousin Neil. Lisa hugged me, thanked us for coming every year, and I introduced her to Neil (his third MWF show). Neil told her he loves the show, but what he enjoys even more is watching my reaction to all the skaters. I told cousin Cindy (Neil's wife) that we would be doing Todd pennant duty and flag duty (two Canadian flags and one Japanese flag) together again! She said, "Of course!"

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=67230&page=3

Christine Brennan (author of Inside Edge and Edge of Glory) introduced each performer.

Emanuel Savary, MWF Scholarship Recipient was the first skater. He's a charming young man. We've seen him a few times, mostly at the University of Delaware, and most recently at the Liberty Summer competition in Aston, PA. He skated to "Super Mario" music (thanks to our N. VA cousin Cindy for identifying that). He did take a fall at the far end, but he still came up smiling, no matter what.

Ellie Kawamura, National Junior Silver Medalist and MWF Scholarship Recipient, was next, She skated to "Over the Rainbow," and had a big rainbow on the front of her costume and a rainbow colored bow in her hair. She's been in Mike's show many times (this was either her 4th or 5th appearance). It's a shame that the quality of the sound system got in the way during her performance. This was also to happen during Emily's performance later.

Armin Mahbanoozadeh, 2 time Jr. Grand Prix Final medalist, MWF Scholarship Recipient. Armin is one of my favorite up and comer skaters. He has appeared in all 5 MWF shows to date. He trains in Reston, VA (where the show used to be). We saw him most recently at Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio and at this summer's Liberty competition. I remember him back in 2005 when he still had braces on his teeth. The braces are gone now, and he skated to "Never Say Never" by The Fray (I got to ask him about his music when I spoke to him after the show). What an elegant skater he is becoming! He does lots of spins, and I'm just so impressed with him. He will be skating on the senior level this season.

Kristine Musademba, Jr. Grand Prix Final champion, MWF Scholarship Recipient. A pleasure to see her again at Mike's show. Sorry, can't identify her music, but I always enjoy watching her.

Angela Maxwell, Jr. National silver Medalist, MWF Scholarship Recipient, skated to a Michael Jackson song, complete with Michael's mannerisms. She's really perky, and was great at the Liberty competition, so it was a treat to see her here. Christine Brennan announced that she can do back flips. I think she did one in this program, and she did one together with Dan, and Mike during the finale!

Tiffany Vise and Don Baldwin, a new team. Don is John Baldwin's brother. I don't know what their music was. I couldn't help but notice Tiffany's fishnet stockings, which made me think of Todd's comment when he first signed the SOI contract ("No fishnet stockings for me," or something like that, LOL).

Sinead & John Kerr, 2009 British Dance champions, European Bronze Medalists. I love this team, and was so excited to see them in person, finally! They skated to that Johnny Cash song (not sure of the title, but it's been used in car ads, and goes "I've Been Everywhere..."). Their costumes reminded me of Tanith & Ben when they did their hoedown number. During the finale Sinead lifted John!

Steven Cousins. So glad to see him again. Sorry, I can't identify his music. I think he may have been injured (during the performance?) and hope he'll be OK for the coming season.

Jeff Buttle skated his "Ecologue for Strings" program from SOI, and he was just fabulous to watch.

Dan Hollander skated a very funny program. He was a contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance," and he tried hard to please the "judges" (Lisa Weiss, Yuka, and Todd). He did some Beyonce and Ballet ("The Nutcracker"), and possibly some other things, but the "judges" totally "dissed" him, LOL! Poor Dan! The judges were down at the far end from where we were sitting. I did recognize Yuka immediately. Then I said to Mark, "I think that's Todd next to her." He confirmed that, but we were both stuck on identifying the other woman who turned out to be Lisa (whom we've met & spoken to up close & personal a number of times, including here).

Emily Hughes skated to "Gone With the Wind." I think she loves skating to this music, and it showed in her expression. It's a shame that the sound system starting acting up again during her program (sound quality was tinny). After her performance, Christine Brennan mentioned that Sarah was unable to attend due to the flu (the regular one, not swine flu).

Yuka Sato skated to the Eva Cassidy version of "Time After Tine" (the Cyndi Lauper song). Lovely performance. Her blades are practically silent. She's still as cute as a button. Cousin Neil was very impressed with her.

Mark always asks me what Todd will skate to (as if I would know?, haha). I told him I didn't know, but I'm willing to bet that he'll do one of his recent SOI programs, and I was right. Well, he skated to "I'm Gonna Find Another You." I wish I could identify the jumps (sorry! - not sure it they were triples or doubles at the other end of the rink), but he gave a very solid performance with various marvelous spins as always. I wish this program had his trademark Russian Split Jumps (his other SOI number "Is Nothing Sacred?" does), but it's a quieter song, and the music doesn't lend itself to that, I guess. Whatever, the case, it's always a pleasure to see him, and he was very well received. Later that evening, Cousin Neil said that Todd is really wonderful to watch. I think our enthusiasm and support for Todd has rubbed off on him!

Ilia Kulik was next. He skated to Corbin Bleu's "Deal With It" song (the one he did in Kristi's Family & Friends show & I think as a guest in the 2008 SOI tour). While I'm not particularly crazy about this music (by contrast I loved the music for this past season's "Sixteen Tons" and "Song for the King"), Ilia is so versatile! I just love watching him skate. Eleven years after his Olympic Gold Medal, and he's still got "it." I liked him as an eligible skater, but I like him even more as a pro. Wow, and good for him! A great addition to Mike's show!

Brian Boitano skated to a Journey song. Beautiful performance, complete with his trademark spread eagle (to die for!). Glad to have him back. 21 years after his OGM, and he's still terrific.

Mike skated to his "Shook Me All Night Long" ACDC program from SOI. Great choice, very upbeat. Rock & Roll suits him very well, and he gave it everything he's got. I do believe he has become a very good show skater.

A local synchro team, called the Capitol Steps (not to be confused with a very funny DC political satire group that does music parodies) performed in the show, this was a first for Mike's show, and it was a treat to see them perform.

During the finale, all the skaters came out one by one in white MWF jackets. As I mentioned before Sinead lifted John! Dan, Angela, and Mike did back flips together! I think Todd did a pretty neat jump (not sure which one) plus some great spins. We got to touch every skater's hand as they came by at the end. Yuka said, "Hi, Gail!"

I bid on an autographed Todd photo, and I think I may have won it. It's a picture of him wearing the "Independence Day"/"Glory" costume. I'm guessing that it's may be from 1997 Nationals, 1997 Worlds, or a Grand Prix competition. If I did win, I'll have to look more closely at the logo on the ice, but it's definitely from a competitive performance instead of an exhibition performance (so I think it's more likely "Independence Day" rather than "The Glory"). The volunteer worker who was standing behind the table with the pictures said that pic was her favorite. She though it was the (second) "Gettysburg" costume, but I told her it had to be his ID4/Glory costume because it was blue, not brown. Plus I mentioned that Todd is known to recycle his costumes for other programs). I'll know in a few days if I won it.

Anyway, that's my report. Hope you enjoyed it. The show was another winner. Thanks, Mike and Lisa, for starting the foundation to support these delightful young skaters, and thanks to all the cast members and volunteers who made the show and silent auction a success!

Adam & Devon were at Mike's show over the weekend, and posted their pics....

http://gallery.ice-skate.net/photos/2009-michael-weiss-foundation-show/