SOI DC reception summary (long) + brief show report - 3/6/09

**R.D.** · 03-07-2009, 04:08 PM

Glad you guys enjoyed the report. I had as much fun writing it as well to share with you guys.

Now to answer some questions:

Question? How did you manage to snag an invite to the reception. Curious minds want to know? I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Ha, ha. It was actually the Capitol Fund reception that was advertised here (otherwise I wouldn't have known about it so all thanks goes to that poster!!!) I sent in a check of 75 bucks to register for it and it was worth every penny. This is the original thread:

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26797

Do you know what jump Cohen fell on? Thanks for the great report!

You're welcome, and oh man...I'm not technically inclined skating-wise, so I have no idea how to identify jumps as they're being performed live (with the exception of the axel). But it was the second jump in the program- I assumed she has planned a layout so whatever jump that was, that was the one she failed.

To bad Kimmie was not there. Can't wait to see your photos

She was my favorite in Baltimore. Even if she was here, I don't think she would have come up (just based on the fact that Jeff didn't, as the guest). And as apprehensive as I was in seeing/approaching Sasha (I think I did a good job in not showing it though), I don't think I'd be able to stop shaking if I was given the opportunity to meet Meissner.

You're my hero for working up the courage to get Sasha to take your picture with Todd!

hehe, thanks. It DID take courage on my part, especially given that the skaters wouldn't be around for long and Sasha was the only one able to do it at the time. I knew that if I chickened out and didn't ask her, I likely wouldn't have gotten a picture with Todd. (An autograph, yes.)

Was Sasha's leg still wrapped like someone mentioned in an earlier SOI review? And did she do her first number? (She only did one number at a recent show.)

I didn't look for a wrapped leg but I did not see one. And yes, she did both numbers, landing 3 of 4 attempted jumps.

**emma** · 03-07-2009, 04:42 PM

awesome report - thanks so much for sharing!

**R.D.** · 03-07-2009, 07:02 PM

PICS ARE NOW UP

http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/570420853XvTxnc

**skamper23** · 03-07-2009, 07:32 PM

Thanks for sharing your photos!!!!! Looks the there was a nice size crowd at both the reception and the show!!!!!!

**Mathman** · 03-07-2009, 08:21 PM

You know, SOI should do these meet-and-greets on a regular basis at every show. Look at all the great free publicity they are getting off Red Dog's posts.

Golden Skate has over 10,000 members. Some are inactive, but thousands more lurk. FSU is twice as big. There are several other general skating boards as well as many fan sites for particular skaters. Threads like this are probably more effective advertising than what SOI pays for in newspapers and on TV.

Some skaters enjoy meeting the fans and are good at it (Weiss), others perhaps consider it an ordeal (Kristi was notoriously shy, fot instance). But it sure makes an impression on the fans that get to meet their favorite skaters -- or who get to meet any skater, and then that skater becomes their favorite.

**Tonichelle** · 03-07-2009, 08:37 PM

Re: Kristi - she's still incredibly giving... she practically begged people to not worry about giving her family space on an elevator in 2006 and told others to jump on lol I think she's not as shy as she used to be

**R.D.** · 03-07-2009, 09:22 PM

*first part of post deleted*

I think this experience wound up being better than the M&G SOI was offering on their site (in that we met multiple skaters, not just one), and better than the Aftershow pass (in that the skaters weren't being rushed anywhere). Just fantastic.

**OnTheEdge** · 03-07-2009, 10:06 PM

Nice Red Dog - thanks for your review and pics. This was the last thing I thought to see on the site, but have to say well done. I was there too, and you gave an excellent recap of the reception and show.

The skaters who were able to get to the reception from practice was great, considering we didn't know who was coming. Surprised Sasha made it with Todd, and John was quite friendly too, S&Z seemed quite nice but true didn't speak too much...a real treat for everyone. Of course, we did anticipate Michael Weiss being the home town skater, and all that he does for the skaters and community, pretty down to earth. They all were very gracious and kind to all at the reception, with the exception of Sasha who was somewhat stand off-ish and didn't smile in any photos we saw, nor too chatty. Maybe she was the most difficult for ordinary folk to approach?? so that was the reason for the aloof appearance…? Everyone was very friendly and made it rather easy to approach and chat with them. Definitely made the performance more 'personal' having the reception just before in that format - yes, fan appreciation upped by that!

Sasha fell on a 3 salchow. Couple of the skaters had some jumps changed to doubles - the ice remake was well over an hour and 15 min. into the show and may have contributed to some of it. Sasha's unfortunate fall was after the ice make, and the program was beautifully skated as she delivered her exquisite artistry and style...I wasn't disappointed at all, quite the contrary - really amazed by the feeling and mastery of the performance.

Todd did do the only triple axel of the evening (that I recall - Jeffrey was a triple jump machine along with Michael, but don't remember more than a double axel from them), as usual impressive and solid performances with captivating command.

It seems Michael’s children's hockey and soccer teams were there too (I think it was those sports, each child had their "team" with them). It was a lot of fun to watch all of them in the stands 'rocking the house' while Michael was skating. The crowd response for everyone was well deserved, and yes Michael’s was the loudest.

Watching the interactions of skaters in group numbers, they appeared to be having quite a good time out there with each other and performing. Lots of smiles and giggles. It showed in their skating they were enjoying the show.

Yuka is always delightful, and Red Dog had pics of a trio done with Yuka, John and Michael. That was well done with those three, very, very nice and enjoyable to watch.

S&Z’s pair throws are something else in person - even if you’d been sitting in the nose bleed section!!

One mention I didn't see posted was Marie France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon, they were exceptional. They've always been on my favorite list. Not a disappointment all evening!!

**R.D.** · 03-07-2009, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by OnTheEdge

Nice Red Dog - thanks for your review and pics. This was the last thing I thought to see on the site, but have to say well done. I was there too, and you gave an excellent recap of the reception and show.

ah, I was starting to wonder whether I was the only GS member there...

The skaters who were able to get to the reception from practice was great, considering we didn't know who was coming. Surprised Sasha made it with Todd...

Completely agree.

They all were very gracious and kind to all at the reception, with the exception of Sasha who was somewhat stand off-ish and didn't smile in any photos we saw, nor too chatty. Maybe she was the most difficult for ordinary folk to approach?? so that was the reason for the aloof appearance…?

I was wondering the same thing, but I think it was actually the other way around: her stand-offish appearance MADE it difficult for folks to approach her.

Everyone was very friendly and made it rather easy to approach and chat with them. Definitely made the performance more 'personal' having the reception just before in that format - yes, fan appreciation upped by that!

Sasha fell on a 3 salchow. Couple of the skaters had some jumps changed to doubles - the ice remake was well over an hour and 15 min. into the show and may have contributed to some of it. Sasha's unfortunate fall was after the ice make, and the program was beautifully skated as she delivered her exquisite artistry and style...I wasn't disappointed at all, quite the contrary - really amazed by the feeling and mastery of the performance.

Other than the fall, it was well-skated.

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**demarinis5** · 03-07-2009, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the photos you got some good shots at the reception. Sasha was looking very French in her beret.

OnTheEdge - thank you for your review too.

**Mathman** · 03-07-2009, 11:13 PM

Thanks for your review, OnTheEdge.

I wouldn't put much significance on the perception that Sasha seemed cooler than the others. Some people are naturally extroversted, some aren't.

**R.D.** · 03-07-2009, 11:15 PM

MM- I agree.

*post modified*

**Ladskater** · 03-08-2009, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Alas, they weren't there. The only guest we got was Jeff Buttle, and it looks like he will be the only guest in Philly as well.

Well a Jeff skate is always a treat. He would be welcome here in Vancouver...

**Tonichelle** · 03-08-2009, 01:34 AM

Originally Posted by Mathman

Some people are naturally extroversted, some aren't.

Yeah, not to get into mushing mode (again) but we see that a lot in mushing. Rick Swenson is a bear of a man, and while he's a great guy within the mushing community he isn't "personable" with the fans. No idea why... it doesn't help that he was Susan Butcher's original rival and most still can't seem to cheer for him because of it (ie my mother).

Mitch Seavey is a great person and has a sense of humor and is personable... with people he knows. He's a shy guy who doesn't get all of the attention he gets because he's "just a dog musher." He gives just enough to keep the press happy in interviews but when he can he avoids them. Not because he's a jerk, but because he isn't into the whole press thing. He's a kick in the pants when he's not being sought after... and he hides when tourists are around because he hates the fuss

then you have mushers like Lance Mackey and Jeff King who thrive on the attention... Jeff King is like the Kurt Browning or Scott Hamilton of the mushing world... even when he's not winning he's still memorable because he's playing to the fans... today he rode infront of his sled on a pair of SKIS! He's never dull. And Lance pretty much demands the crowd attention.

And then Martin Buser's just a nice guy who will talk and is Mr. Congeniality...

so I wouldn't fault Sasha for being herself... or label her something negative (not saying anyone on here was...)