Area ice skaters shine during A Longwood Gardens Christmas
October 15, 2009
Contact: Patricia Evans
610-388-1000, ext. 442
pevans@longwoodgardens.org
PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY UPON REQUEST
KENNETT SQUARE, PA – National, World and Olympic ice skaters from across the Delaware Valley perform live shows at Longwood Gardens near Kennett Square, PA, November 26, 2009 through January 10, 2010. The skating performances are part of Longwood’s annual Christmas season which features dazzling floral displays, elaborately decorated trees, holiday music, 500,000 outdoor lights, dancing fountains and ice skating shows under the stars.
Each delightful 20-minute skating show takes place at Longwood’s outdoor skating venue, nestled near the picturesque Chimes Tower. Shows are at 5 and 6:30 pm Monday through Thursday; at 5, 6:30 and 8 pm on Fridays; at 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8 pm on Saturdays; and at 3:30, 5 and 6:30 pm on Sundays. Special tickets are required to view the shows and can be purchased online at www.longwoodgardens.org or by calling 610-388-1000 ext. 100. A complete schedule of shows and performers is online at www.longwoodgardens.org.
The lineup of skaters appearing at Longwood is a who’s who of past, present, and future Olympians as well as up-and-coming stars. Many of the skaters train or teach at the University of Delaware and the Skating Club of Wilmington, which are renowned as the training grounds for many top talents in skating today.
Guests will be delighted by 2002 U.S. Olympians Tiffany Scott and Philip Dulebohn. In addition to their 2002 Olympic experience, these talented pair skaters were 2003 U.S. Champions, and 7-time U.S. National medalists. They both now coach students of all ages at the University of Delaware. Former New Zealand National Champion Dirke Baker boasts a long list of accomplishments as a competitive single skater, including competing in the World Championships in 2001 and becoming a U.S. National medalist. A graduate of the University of Delaware, Dirke now coaches at the University.
Special guest stars Kim Navarro and Brent Bommentre will perform November 27-29. Champion ice dancing pair Navarro and Bommentre won the 2009 U.S. bronze medal, and the 2008 Four Continents bronze medal. They represented the United States in the 2008 and 2009 World Championships.
The exciting emerging talents performing in the shows include Blake Rosenthal (Newtown Square, PA), a four-time U.S. national medalist and an international junior silver medalist. One of the youngest skaters in the lineup is 11-year-old Emmanuel Savary (Wilmington, DE), who has progressed at an astonishing rate to claim such titles as the 2009 Intermediate Men U.S. Junior National Champion, 2009 South Atlantic Champion, and 2014 Olympic hopeful. Also returning this year are Erika Choi Smith (Newark, DE) and Nate Bartholomay (Abington, PA), 2009 U.S. National Junior Pairs competitors. JoAnn Tinker (Clearwater, FL) is a new performer to Longwood and holds the title of 2009 South Atlantic Juvenile Champion and is also a 2009 U.S. Jr. National competitor.
Other talented skaters appearing in the shows include:
Andrew Nagode, 12, Landenberg, PA
Kirsten Zinsmeister, 20, Harrisburg, PA
Geoffry Varner, 21, Newark, DE
Kevin Sun, 16, Newark, DE
Lauren Farr, 17, Wilmington, DE & Kevin Curtis, 26, Fairfax, VA
Megan Williams-Stewart, 21, Newark, DE
Michael Solonoski, 24, Allentown, PA
Shaun Rogers, 23, Millersville, MD
Jazzy Manzouri, 21, West Hartford, CT
Felicia Zhang, 16, Plainsboro, NJ & Taylor Toth, 21, Kittanning, PA
Admission & Ticketing
A Longwood Gardens Christmas runs November 26–January 10, 9 am to 9 pm. (Please note: Longwood will remain open an additional hour on Saturdays and every evening from December 26-31.). Timed Tickets for Admission to the Christmas display must be purchased in advance and are $16 for adults; $14 for seniors (age 62+), $6 for students (ages 5-22); and free ages 4 and under. Tickets to view the ice skating performances are an additional $5 ($4 for Garden Pass members.). Admission and Skating Show tickets can be purchased now at www.longwoodgardens.org or by calling 610-388-1000 ext. 100.
About Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens, located just outside Philadelphia in Kennett Square, PA, is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, offering 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows; 20 outdoor gardens; 20 indoor gardens within 4 acres of heated greenhouses; and extensive educational programs and performing arts events each year. For information, visit www.longwoodgardens.org.
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