StarSkates in partnership with the D&F Group presented "KB Kids.com StarSkates' Salute to Barry Manilow" on October 9, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Robin Cousins and partner Nicky Slater put together a concept of blending live music with ice skating. "I think what we want to do is make StarSkates a standout brand, we want to try to make StarSkates appointment television," said Slater. Taped by NBC, this show will air October 23, check local listings for times. This is the first of four StarSkates shows to be aired on NBC in the coming months.

While Cousins did not skate in this show, he plans to skate in the "StarSkates On Broadway" later this year besides his duties as producer and choreographer for the entire series. Cousins' enthusiasm for adding distinct dimensions to figure skating and performance art is palatable. "The performers on the stage change when they see the visual interpretation of what they're singing. It gives another emotional value to the performance," Cousins observed.

The opening montage of some of Manilow's hits culminated with Manilow himself presenting the cast, beginning with two-time world champion Alexei Yagudin. Skating to "Come Fly With Me," Yagudin covered the ice with good speed and effortlessly completed two triple jumps despite icing a sore ankle during the rehearsals. His sparkly bronze shirt made him fit right in with the glitzy surroundings. Making her first trip to the United States was Yagudins' mother. " She was so happy to see this city, try gambling and see me skate," he said.

Sporting a new look and elegance was Denise Biellmann. Cousins choreographic touch is well placed and evident in this performance. Wearing a white, lacey dress, Biellmann employed her trademark spins and athleticism while maintaining a feminine quality throughout this lovely program skated to "All the Time". More true to form in "Avenue C," Biellmann relied on her usual more aggressive style while maintaining a smooth, seamless quality.

Olympic Silver Medalists Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze skated to "Let's Hang On" and had no trouble doing just that. They successfully interspersed tricks with pair elements to the approval of their audience and coach Tamara Moskvina who was in attendance. Their second act program "Let Me Be Your Wings" not only features Berezhnaya's flexibility, but that of Sikharulidze, an added highlight to this delightful team.

Elvis Stojko took time from his intensive training to appear. With mom Irene on hand to videotape her son, Stojko put together his program to "Dancing Fool" the day before the event. With the appreciative audience clapping along, Stojko exhibited good musicality and a huge triple Axel. Elvis also skated to "Swing Street" that contained nearly as much flirting for which castmate Phillipe Candeloro is known.

However, this does not mean Candeloro left his trademarks at home. His programs to "Hey Mambo" and "I'm Your Man" were vintage Phillipe. For his first number, he took the ice from the audience as he is wont to do. The costume for "I'm Your Man" was comprised of easily removable pieces, a boon when one considers the difficulties of skating while stripping. Both numbers contained some very risqué choreography to the delight of the female element.

The skating of Caryn Kadavy is tailor made for this type of show. While her jump content lacked a bit, this did not mar her innate elegance and musicality. Her first program to "Could This be the Magic" cleverly employed part of the dance mix of this song enabling her to vary the beat and show her versatility.

Oksana Kazakova and Artur Dmitriev displayed a few of the skills that earned the team a gold medal at the 1998 Olympic Games in their interpretations of "Somewhere in the Night" and "Black and Blue". Chock full of difficult elements, the team suffered a fall on a huge throw in their first program. This was easily corrected in the one retake required for the NBC broadcast. Their "Black and Blue" program was lovely. Kazakova wore a revealing black velvet dress for this number. Their overhead lift had an innovative exit, much appreciated by the crowd. A masterful display that showcased Dmitriev's strength, the team's death spiral ascended from Kazakova's laying position producing audible appreciation from the audience.

After ice resurfacing, the show reopened with another ensemble piece. A medley of more of Manilows' hits paid homage to this great musician as well as a fine display of athleticism and grace.

Kristi Yamaguchi is fast proving to be a veteran of skating to live music. Her second number was a duet with Manilow. The singer took the stage joking of his skill with a 'double, triple herniated Axel toe walley'. He took the stage attempting to mime the skating moves to the delight of the audience and skaters. "I'm nervous I am not going to be able to sing," said Manilow before the show. "I had trouble singing (during rehearsals) because you want to yell 'whoa' in the middle of the song."

Manilow and Yamaguchi played off each other brilliantly and appeared completely at ease with sharing the spotlight. A consummate performer, Manilow easily tossed in some ad-libbed lyrics making their duet of "You Make Me Feel So Young" specific to both Kristi and skating. "I definitely would not have been able to get through that number if Barry had not been out there with me," Yamaguchi said. "You feel like you are taking a performance to a higher level because there is two of you out there and so much more on the ice to hear and see," she continued.

Lea Ann Miller, who was on hand to assist Cousins with choreography agreed and added, "The difference is, you are working with two artists at once." Citing the need to respect what the singer wants to sing VS what is skateable. Miller points out the ease of working with Manilow's music. "With Barry, it's great because he has so much music to choose from," she added.

The closing number of "Daybreak" featured the entire cast on the ice and Manilow on stage. Each skater, or team took their final position in a spotlight with Yamaguchi's being on the stage next to Manilow. One by one, each skater reached up as if to turn off the light as the spots went out individually. Yamaguchi and Manilow's kiss before Kristi reached up and shut of their light was a very cute touch. The entire cast then retook the stage and improvised as Manilow sang "Copacobana" to the reception of a full standing ovation.

Details and cast information surrounding the remaining KBKids.com StarSkates shows are available on their web site at http://www.starskates.com