Skate the Nation made it's way to Sudbury once again and the crowd was certainly entertained for a full 2 hours of wonderful skating by a lot of very talented Canadian skaters. Everyone seemed to be so on tonight. No one really had any stumbles or great falls. Maybe that is because they had a few days off prior to the show in Sudbury. Do to the fact that the show in Thunder Bay was cancel due to a strike. There where no cancellations in Sudbury and the skaters came out in full force and WOWED the crowd in Sudbury. I had great seats. I was sitting 3rd row centre across to where the skater come out. I got a different view of the show than when I went to see the SOI show in April. I really enjoyed these seats and would sit there again.
They started off skating the opening number to Led Zeppelin.It was skating well by all. I really had a different view since the white lights where shinning directly into my eyes from across the arena.I mostly saw the skaters shadows when these lights where on which was a neat effect from where I was sitting. Kurt as always amazed me once again with him skating with those hockey skates.After the opening it was time for Jayson Denommee to hit the ice and skate. I really enjoyed his program. He reminds me a little of Kurt. When he is out there he makes contact with the audience and gets the crowd going. He is really a show man.The costume looked very sharp on him. All I could day was WOW! Way to go Jason!! Menzies & Bombardier skated to a lovely soft piece. They where very graceful on the ice with their lovely lifts and throws.(She landed every one)
Brian Orser did his 5 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days number. Once again performed it with much energy and plenty of foot work. \line Michelle McDonald and Martin Smith did a very different but unique number to "Crash" from the movie Romeo and Juliet. This dance team is very talented with many wonderful and sometimes crazy moves. I really enjoyed watching them tonight. Liz Manley skated to "Fly" by Celine Dion. She was also very graceful as if she was flying on the ice. Her white dress really made the program seem so gentle and soft to watch as Celine sang the song. Canadian Champions skated next...Sargent & Wirtz. They had a lovely program.They look better and better each time I see them. The Elvis Presley Medley was done by Josee and Kurt. Both skated very well and received a standing ovation at the end. Just before the intermission was over I spotted the Muses walking around the arena in line form and making their way down the steps and onto the ice. From where I was sitting the muses where Kurt, Josse, Liz, Michelle McDonald, Martin Smith,and Brian Orser. At least I think that's who they where. It looked like Kurt won when he was the first to put his skates on.
Steven Cousins was the first to skate in second half. He skated to Love Rears It's Ugly Head wearing those sexy silver pants on. All I could say was WOW once again. McDonald & Smith skated next and once again they wowed the audience. At the beginning of the program Michelle was standing on her head while Martin was holding her feet. Very different and neat. "Jimmy Ray"...was the name of the song that Menzies & Bombardier skated to. I really enjoyed the program and actually I don't mind the song as well. Jean-Michelle looked cool wearing those sunglasses(I think the ones the Muses where?? Josee skated to "The Sweater" Always a delight to see her skate. She landed all her jumps and did a great job. Always smiling that girl :-) Steven Cousins skated another number wearing a white shirt and velvet green pants. I have to say this was a very different performance that I see Steve do. It had a lot of feeling in the program and was skated with passion. Hope we see more of this from Steven.
Emmanual Samdu skated in Sudbury. He skated very well with a lot of great jumps and flexible spins.Look for him in the up and coming ranks. Jason appears again with that smile from ear to ear.And his dimples. The crowd just loved him. He received a great response. The moment everyone was waiting for..Kurt Browning.I just LOVE this program. It has indeed grown on me. He started his number right in front of where we were sitting. The crowd really got into it and was clapping all the way.And of course a standing ovation for Kurt once again. Finale.....Stairway to Heaven. What a way to end the show. I found the glittery costumes to be very bright and effective. Especially the purple on Sargent & Wirtz. At the end of it all Kurt said we where a crazy audience who made LOTS of noise. And thanked us...See you next year!!
After the show I went to the reception to get some autographs and mingle with the skaters. When we arrived to the hotel and there was A LOT of heavy security because Shania Twain is in Sudbury and will be staying at the hotel (she is opening her tour he re tomorrow and Sun.) Anyways once the skaters arrived at the reception it was time to make my rounds and find the skaters. My first stop was to Liz Manley. I had her sign my book (Thumbs Up)and she told me she was in the middle of writing her second boo k. She says another book 10 Years Later. Don't know if that will be the name of the book. So all you Liz Manley fans be on the watch out next year for her book.
Then I made my way to Jayson Denommee. What a darling he is. I brought a picture I took of him a t the Nationals and he asked me if I was there. I of course told him YES. He asked my name and signed it personally to me. I had a little chat with Jason. He is so nice to talk to. I asked him about tour life and he is just overwhelmed with the whole thing. We also talked about Elvis. He says he really looks up to him and Elvis has helped him with his confidence and given him a few pointers. And he always tells him "Go for it"! It was really nice to chat with him. If anyone has the chance to meet him don't hesitate to make small talk. He is a talker and will talk and talk. I also saw Kurt. He looked really tired tonight. He wasn't in his cherpy spirit. But of course that's aloud. I also talked to Jean-Michelle. He asked me if I enjoyed the show and I surely told him YES. He said the crowd was fantastic and really crazy.(We sure were. Gave a lot of standing ovations)All in all it was a great evening and was nice to mingle with the skaters. Most enjoyable one. Until next year when Skate the Nation comes again. Now it is soon summer and that means no skating shows for a while. Time to relax, remember the past and look on to the future. Hope you all enjoyed my review. Hope it was not boring. Until next time!!