The Fernie Skating Club’s annual figure-skating ice show is set to return to the Fernie Memorial Arena this week after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The ‘just ABBA’ ice show will be kicking off at 6:30 p.m. on both Thursday (March 10) and Friday (March 11), and will feature all the members of the club, from the youngest ‘CanSkaters’ to the top-tier ‘STARSkaters’, with an age range from four to 17, said coach Kathy Sutherland.
“This is pretty exciting for us, because we’ve done a couple of virtual things (over the last two years), but we haven’t actually been able to produce anything at this level, where we have people coming into the arena.”
The last show of this kind was put on in February 2020, called ‘Skate to the Night.’ Local band Shred Kelly played live with a stage on the ice while the skaters performed.
“That was a huge event, because they played live for us. But we haven’t done anything since then, officially.”
The theme for this year’s show is 70s and 80s disco throwback, with all the numbers being performed to the music of the band ABBA, who released a new album called ‘Voyage’ in November 2021. The young skaters will be decked out in costumes as they do their pinwheels, jumps, spins, and spirals.
“We’re trying to replicate the clothes that ABBA used to wear. They were quite the flamboyant group, with flare pants, and wings, and capes, and really bright colours with lots of sparkle,” Sutherland said.
There are going to be group numbers, small groups, and solo skates in what Sutherland described as a “fast-paced, fun, loud music kind of show… with great skating.” All the different components will be “integrated into the whole show,” she said.
“For some of our skaters it’s the highlight of their year… The last couple of years they haven’t had that opportunity, so they’re really excited about doing this this year.”
Tickets will be sold at the show. General admission will be $10, with children ‘12 and under’ and seniors ‘60 and wiser’ able to get tickets for $8. Family tickets will be $30. Masks and proof of vaccination will be required, and Sutherland recommended people show up a little earlier than showtime to get everything sorted out.
“It’s going to be really great. It’s going to be pretty high energy and a lot of fun, with great costumes, great music, and great skating.”
READ MORE: Shred Kelly partners with Fernie Skating Club
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