The conversation about the Gala has already started in the Schedule thread, but I thought I would start a thread specifically for the gala, and perhaps some of the mods could move those messages in here.
Although the Gala was largely restricted to those teams that finished on the overall WTT podium (i.e. America, Canada and Japan), it was a very enjoyable gala.
Firstly, I say "largely" because Peng and Zhang performed (for coming 3rd in Pairs), and Denis Ten was also invited along to the gala, and did 2 routines. In the first half, he did his current gala routine - "Singing In the Rain", while in the second half, he did his "Per Te" gala routine from last season.
The American and Japanese teams both did a group performance, and to be honest, I don't really think they worked.
Mao did her "Mary Poppins" routine, and it was as impressive as it was the rest of the season. I just wish she could have put on a similar performance in the actual competition (and in the SP at Worlds...)
Ashley got her see-through dress out again, but this time she was doing a routine to "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics. To be honest, much as I like Annie Lennox, I don't really think it is a great song for a figure skating routine.
The second half started with a performance by local wee girl Kaori Sakamoto. Now, am I imagining things, or did we see her in a gala before? Because both the girl and her name were very familiar!
She was followed by a local wee fella called Sota Yamamoto. Now, I never thought I would see somebody doing a figure skating routine in an International Rescue uniform! (Suffice to say, he was skating to the "Thunderbirds" theme tune) But the biggest surprise was that it really worked as a routine! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!
Before they came out on ice, the Reeds did a short speech to the crowd in Japanese. Well, Cathy did most of the speaking, with Chris getting a sentence in here and there! But, it was really cute when the pair of them spoke at the same time a couple of times. Their voices really complimented each other, and I couldn’t help wondering if they could sing, as they would be good at harmonising!
Akiko was absolutely brilliant, and looked like she was really enjoying herself. After a mixed season, she is definitely back on form! I’m really going to miss her when she retires!
Daisuke Takahashi finished off the second half. And I really liked the way that the encore (his 2010/11 SP) was melded into the finale. The finale started with a skate-off between him and Denis Ten, and then the rest of the cast came in.
At the end of the finale, Daisuke gave a speech, and then the cast did their bows. But before they went on their lap of honour, they all collected baskets of stuff, and started throwing the contents into the audience during the lap of honour. I have no idea what was in the baskets (sweeties?), but it was a lovely touch.
Overall, it was an enjoyable gala, and a great way to finish a really enjoyable championships.
But I still would have preferred if Adelina was there as well (I’m biased as I absolutely LOVE her “Burlesque” gala routine). She did win the Short, after all…
CaroLiza_fan
Although the Gala was largely restricted to those teams that finished on the overall WTT podium (i.e. America, Canada and Japan), it was a very enjoyable gala.
Firstly, I say "largely" because Peng and Zhang performed (for coming 3rd in Pairs), and Denis Ten was also invited along to the gala, and did 2 routines. In the first half, he did his current gala routine - "Singing In the Rain", while in the second half, he did his "Per Te" gala routine from last season.
The American and Japanese teams both did a group performance, and to be honest, I don't really think they worked.
Mao did her "Mary Poppins" routine, and it was as impressive as it was the rest of the season. I just wish she could have put on a similar performance in the actual competition (and in the SP at Worlds...)
Ashley got her see-through dress out again, but this time she was doing a routine to "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics. To be honest, much as I like Annie Lennox, I don't really think it is a great song for a figure skating routine.
The second half started with a performance by local wee girl Kaori Sakamoto. Now, am I imagining things, or did we see her in a gala before? Because both the girl and her name were very familiar!
She was followed by a local wee fella called Sota Yamamoto. Now, I never thought I would see somebody doing a figure skating routine in an International Rescue uniform! (Suffice to say, he was skating to the "Thunderbirds" theme tune) But the biggest surprise was that it really worked as a routine! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!
Before they came out on ice, the Reeds did a short speech to the crowd in Japanese. Well, Cathy did most of the speaking, with Chris getting a sentence in here and there! But, it was really cute when the pair of them spoke at the same time a couple of times. Their voices really complimented each other, and I couldn’t help wondering if they could sing, as they would be good at harmonising!
Akiko was absolutely brilliant, and looked like she was really enjoying herself. After a mixed season, she is definitely back on form! I’m really going to miss her when she retires!
Daisuke Takahashi finished off the second half. And I really liked the way that the encore (his 2010/11 SP) was melded into the finale. The finale started with a skate-off between him and Denis Ten, and then the rest of the cast came in.
At the end of the finale, Daisuke gave a speech, and then the cast did their bows. But before they went on their lap of honour, they all collected baskets of stuff, and started throwing the contents into the audience during the lap of honour. I have no idea what was in the baskets (sweeties?), but it was a lovely touch.
Overall, it was an enjoyable gala, and a great way to finish a really enjoyable championships.
But I still would have preferred if Adelina was there as well (I’m biased as I absolutely LOVE her “Burlesque” gala routine). She did win the Short, after all…
CaroLiza_fan
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