When management at Ion Arena in Leesburg advertised that its Xtreme Ice World Premiere on November 15 would be “an ice show like no other,” it was serious.
“I’m not sure the Northern Virginia public really knew what to expect with an extreme ice show like this, but the audience was amazed,” says Luiz Taifas, who owns and manages Ion International Training Center and Arena with his wife, Mitra Setayesh.
Hosted by former champion figure skaters Kurt Browning and Alissa Czisny, the fast-paced, high-energy show delivered a distinct combination of dramatic lighting, music, costumes, choreography, comedic elements, fire, and daring acrobatics on ice. Special guests included Northern Virginia resident and reigning men’s world champion Ilia Malinin and former Olympian Keegan Messing, among others.
In Vegas-worthy shimmering wings and gold and silver lame, New York-based electronic opera duo Niko Klaas and Olya Paliushyk set the mood with musical excerpts from the opera Carmen. After an elegant synchronized performance by Capital Theatre on Ice, the pace picked up with South Florida acro skater Sebastian Mendez, whose boots seemed to be everywhere but on the ice as he twisted, kicked, and flipped across the arena with trick moves combining elements of gymnastics, parkour, and martial arts.
Fans clapped to the beat as Ion Ice Dance Academy’s Annelise Stapert and Maxim Korotcov spun powerfully together to Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” followed multiple Academy skaters twirling illuminated batons and gliding robotically in the dark while decked out in pulsing, color-changing LED costumes.
Next was another dramatic performance by Capital Theatre on Ice, and then laughter, as trick figure skater Jason Graetz, with seemingly boneless legs made of bendy rubber, presented a fast-moving comedy routine dressed in an oversize Western hat, cowboy suit, and fringe.
After a few safety adjustments to the aerial ropes and rings hanging from the ceiling, Ice Theatre of New York’s Aaron Singletary and Sarah France defied gravity with a mesmerizing dance in the air above the ice. Canada’s Violetta Afanasieva, dressed in bright pink, proved there’s no such thing as too many Hula Hoops to twirl at once, and by the end of her performance, she transformed into a sort of human Slinky, balancing dozens of hoops at once as she glided across the ice.
In his third visit to Ion, Canadian-American retired champion Keegan Messing delivered his trademark smile, speed, and powerful flips and stunts, followed by a another other-worldly and powerful performance of LED-costumed skaters.
Vienna’s Ilia Malinin Mesmerizes Audience
Of course, all eyes were on Ilia Malinin, who came offering spins, jumps, and flips to thank fans for their support this year as he brought home the gold from both Skate American and Skate Canada. The audience could feel actual heat during the dramatic concluding act by Clement Pinel, who boldly tossed and spun flaming sticks and batons that sent sparks flying.
“As the public learns more about figure skating, we want them to come see our shows,” says Taifas. “There will be more shows going forward. We do about three every year. Right now we are working on Gold on Ice II, which will be back at Ion in April after the ISU World Figure Skating Championships conclude in March.”
Taifas says that for Xtreme Ice World Premiere, fans traveled from as far as New Jersey and Pittsburg specifically to see host Kurt Browning. “He has a huge fan base,” says Taifas.
For Malinin, though, Taifas saves the highest praise. “That Ion is able to have the best figure skater on the planet come here every six months to show the public what he is doing and thank the audience, that is just amazing. As the public becomes more aware of what is going on with figure skating, they will understand what a great opportunity it is to watch Ilia and other champions skate at our shows.”
Feature image of Clement Pinel at the Xtreme Ice Wold Premiere by Jill Devine
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