SK8 with ELVIS

[fullerl]

I HUGGED ELVIS LAST NIGHT AT THE OTTAWA SHOW............The Show was fantastic. They were taping it for televising last night...They did retakes at the end...Elvis was really tired but really great.......I'm never treating my leather Jacket again. ha ha ha:P :P :P

[Blade1]

That's Wondefull !! Elvis gives GREAT HUGS !!! Glad you had a FABULOUS TIME at the show !!!!

[professordeb]

I went to the afternoon show in London and was mesmerized by what I saw. Elvis looked like he was having SOOOO much fun and was relaxed. Jeffrey Buttle skated at least one of his programs that he is using to compete in (can anyone help me with which one? I think it's the short but I'm not sure) and that one to angels .... I loved it.
B&S, that wonderful pairs from Russia, knocked my socks off with both meditation and their charlie chaplin routines. Unfortunately, not many people seemed to understand the Chaplin routine, but I did!
Rudy, please, choose some other music. I can put up with your strutting to most pieces, but that routine to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" needs to go, IMO. It's not what I would exactly call good family skating, at least the acting part of it. Please, someone tell Rudy some of us find this not only NOT amusing, but insulting.
Dan Hollander, what a guy! Loved what he did, every single bit of it. All shows usually need some comic relief and boy did he provide it. I could watch him for quite some time.
As for the other skaters, I enjoyed them, but those were my highlights. Would I go again? Only if someone paid for a ticket for me and then assured me I would be front row and where Elvis comes down down to the ice so I could give him another stuffed animal.

til later,
Deb

[JD]

we had so much help getting tickets, we went to both shows....grin...after all that trouble with Ticketmaster...smile

My ten year old is wandering around with stars in her eyes. Went to afternoon show- Elvis did the ice cream number... she was the little girl with brown hair in the silver jacket he kissed...[wish we were sitting in a better spot for a pic] if anyone out there has a video or pic, we would pay gladly for the privilege. We were in the front row s 109 beside Blades mag writer and Energy mag photographer-he tried to get a shot but it wasn't great because of the angle...he asked us for the opportunity to shoot our daughter skating for an ad he was hired on...we took his card and said we could chat later...

She also had an I love Tara sign, at the end of the second number in the light color dress, after she waved to all, she blew a kiss in our little one's direction....would also love a video of that-we think the photographer caught it-he thinks he did...unfortunately our own camera was not working...

at the end, when he came out in the Knights shirt and gave hugs, she got another one then when she gave him a rose for him, and a rose for Tara [who did not come out]

She went out to the bus after-found out Tara left [she was ill with flu-back to To.] but was told to come back at 11 and the skaters would do autographs...

Then, evening show, centre ice 114 2 rows up....after evening show at 11 pm, autographs at the bus--almost got a pic,he said yes, but then a young woman was crying-was acting strange, and he jumped in bus quite quickly...but not before he told our little one that her skates were very small [she had her 12s autographed by him] and another kiss and hug,and a hope I see you next year- also Brian, Surya, Josee autographed. Didn't see the others, except Anton-who was quite aloof and only signed for one adult before jumping in the bus..

The show: great numbers from Dan Hollander-that one about at least in heaven I can skate-ours now wants that song for a show number grin-he is just hilarious-we've never seen him before, very impressed...

Rudy- we're pretty open minded, but wow!!! Sure caused a stir in staid London...

Irina-just amazing...Bonaly beautiful on ice and in person...just lovely...Brian is a sweetie...Elvis too of course...

Fell in love with B&S all over again-holy, quiet skates...and is Anton ever tall....her hair looks very nice done up and not around her face...

Liz has seven fractures in her foot-amazing skate...can't believe her grit...

Though they all were at DV8 I understand- a nightclub, in town where you couldn't take children...

Thats all for now, hopefully when I get pics I can put them up...any help on the video or pic as requested would be so appreciated. PM me please!!!

[Angelfish]

And for those of us who will probably never get to hug Elvis :cry: or see his show :cry: :cry: , what's all the hubbub about Rudy Galindo's number? Feel free to PM me the answer if you don't want to post it.

[JD]

Personally, we have pretty open minds in our house....We love Rudy, but he shocked London:

The "sweet transvestite number": he came out in a cape: music plays and somewhere along the line, music says this will shock you....

He flips the cape off, dressed in corset like top and black pants...whips his belt off during the number, slaps on ice, crawls on ice, ...does jumps somewhere in there...grin....takes belt and slides back and forth between legs---getting the picture????.....

Whips the pants part off to reveal bodysuit....he is wearing fishnets as well, and eyeshadow and lipstick....at the end during bows, he rides the back of the body suit up like a thong.....

Personally, we were rolling in our seats..in the 2:00 pm show, people were far less conservative, while in the 7:30 show,--we were sitting near some older people who were just sitting there with their mouths open....

Hope that helps describe for the moment---the show will be airing in Jan on CBC....:lol:

[shopper]

actually i loved the shows.. had a ball.
i saw your little girl. so so cute.. however i don't take pics so i can't help you out at all...
i also sat next to an old couple at the afternoon show and they were just sitting in shock during rudy's no...
too too funny.
his second no. at night was slow and lovely and he did 3 triple double combos. wow....
elvis was so so fast, so much energy i don't know how he got through two such shows in one day... he was looking tired by the end of the second one.
he did take out the other half of the elvis number which he had done in toronto.
liz changed her first no... much more suiting to her... and she seemed much happier and more at ease... loved the lace top she added to the jumpsuit in the evening show...
anton and elena were actually laughing and smiling and seeming to have a good time which they certainly didn't do in the toronto show...
i loved elizabeth and jerod's two numbers.. especially the cowboy one. wow...
and dan.. what can i say?? he is so so creative and his new angel number is fabulous...

[JD]

Shopper, hey it was a great show wasn't it????

Little one flying on cloud nine...I was surprised she actually kissed him back...

He is coming next year too.... he said they were planning to make the show bigger....

As for Rudy- I know exactly what you mean about the shock....it truly was hilarious....

The angel number was great-mine has decided she will skate to this for a show number [little does her coach know about all the editing she will have to do]:D

Though I can't believe the afternoon show didn't have more people-was a bit surprised.

Know what really got me? Across from row 114 about 6 rows up were lots [over 15] empty seats.....for a sold out show --and hard to get at that---it seemed a bit conspicious...

Cheers

[JD]

sorry meant evening show across from row 114

[professordeb]

Just to add about the afternoon show and Rudy. When he took his bow, he pulled his body suit into his butt crack at the back and kind of "mooned" the audience on the side I was sitting. Not funny and although I respected his skating abilities, I for one will no longer stick around when he is skating. Food/bathroom/drink break for me. He can act the part all he wants, but it was too vivid for me. Call me a prude, but that kind of kinky skating doesn't belong in a show that is catering to a lot of young people, especially young impressionable girls.
Rant over!

til later,
Deb

[shopper]

there are usually lots of tickets given to the corporate sponsers... and maybe they just didn't show up.
at skate canada 2 years ago in mississauga it was supposedly sold out..
the entire week all the seats next to us were empty. only on the last night and the exhibitions were people there... they told us they got them free from their company which was a corporate sponser...
really such a shame when there are skating fans who would love to be there....
however they pay the bills....

[Intensity20]

professordeb... Rudy's a lovable queen and the world is full of them. Philippe skates shirtless, Elvis and Michael Weiss flirt like crazy and thrust their pelvises... the skating world is full of wonderful gay people and as a gay former skater turned pro dancer/choreographer myself it's time audiences got over themselves.

Can anyone tell me the name of the music Liz used in her 1st program (not Music by Madonna but the other one)?

[viennese]

There's an inordinate amount of pelvis-thrusting among the male pros. Nobody seems to complain as much when the skater is an acknowledged straight guy. So why get all shocked when it's an acknowledged gay man skating to the soundtrack of a no-longer-shocking, 25 year old movie musical?

[professordeb]

Viennese:
Just to clarify, I don't like the pelvis thrusting, especially some of the more pronounced acting.
Rudy can be gay all he wants, but I don't enjoy that particular movie, any of the music and I'm just sorry he picked that one to do. I have enjoyed watching him perform to many other pieces of music, but I became really turned off by his performance to Rocky ... even if it is a 25 year old cult movie. Call me a prude and old fashioned if it makes people happy, but it's just my opinion of that particular part of the show. If it seems as though I'm slamming Rudy, then in this particular instance, perhaps I am, but I'll not apologize for my feelings. It was just how I felt at that show.

Intensity20
Rudy may be lovable to the masses, but I guess I'm not one of them. I don't fawn or get excited over Philippe or any of the other who like to "bare" themselves to their audiences. I realize there are plenty of gay people in the world, but quite frankly, I don't need to have it pounded on my head constantly. There are places for strutting your sexuality (gay or straight) but I don't think a figure skating show is one of them.

I am not trying to stir up a hornet's nest here, and I'm afraid of offending people. However, the point I was simply trying to make was about one skater, one piece of music, and how I felt about it. If I have offended anyone here, my apologies.

til later,
Deb

[Intensity20]

"There are places for strutting your sexuality (gay or straight) but I don't think a figure skating show is one of them."

And you are a professor? I'm a 20 year old activist who values his professors and elders opinions... scary. I'm glad you've never seen me skate or dance.

[luckiest1]

professorDeb wrote:
"I realize there are plenty of gay people in the world, but quite frankly, I don't need to have it pounded on my head constantly. "

I think I get your drift, but put the shoe on the other foot, and see how you'd feel. Straight people have no idea what living in a predominantly straight world feels like to a gay person - try head pounding 24/7.

Yes, you are entitled to your opinion. I applaud Rudy for having the guts to flaunt his :D

[donnamarie]

<< I realize there are plenty of gay people in the world, but quite frankly, I don't need to have it pounded on my head constantly. >>

Just how, pray tell, do gay people pound their gayness into your head constantly? I would love to know. It sounds like you wish all gay people would stay in the closet, hide who they are, and pretend to be straight. Perhaps that would make you more comfortable, and also spare you a headache from all that head-pounding. However, to ask people to live a lie, to live in fear of discovery, to hide their true selves, is a cruel thing to ask of anyone. Would anyone like to live like that? In some countries, women must walk around under burkas in order to hide themselves. Here, it seems you want gay people to essentially do the same.

If you have a problem with skaters who wear revealing clothing and skate in a vulgar way, that is one thing. But if you are going to express anti-gay feelings, as in the above statement, then you have to expect people to react. Meanwhile, I know there are plenty of homophobic people in the world, but quite frankly, I don't need to have it pounded in my head constantly, either.

[JD]

smiling helpfully....


Perhaps we should agree to disagree and move on to other interesting parts of the show???....

like Dan's Angel number for example....does anyone know how he got those wings to fit nicely under the shirt so that they weren't bulging out, thereby giving himself away???

[singerskates]

I was at the 7:30 show in London and I loved the whole show, except Rudy's Rocky Picture show number. I found it disgusting. I was blocked in by old ladies on both sides of me and couldn't leave to stop from seeing Rudy's Rocky number. I was lucky to keep my dinner down when Rudy did his Rocky number. I did however like his other number a bit. See, it's not if a skater is gay or not. It's what they do on the ice. If Elvis, my favourite skater, did that Rocky number the same way, I would have been disgusted too. Sexual content like that should not be displayed in a figure skating event, unless it is an adult only event and billed as such. That would give me and others the option of not attending. There were children at the show. You wouldn't allow a child to watch that kind of content on TV or in a movie, would you?

Elvis' show is suppose to be a family show. I think we need to email Elvis' people and tell Elvis and them how we feel. I think there are email adresses on the SK8 With Elvis site which we can use to let them know.

On to Orser; what was that Christian sounding like tune to which he was skating? I really loved that number and was surprised by him for his choice of music.

I left Elvis the CD I promised him with his people as I left right after the show with my hot date (hubby) to see the end half of a movie at the GAlleria Mall before driving home.

Brigitte

[TRAxel]

Originally posted by singerskates
I was at the 7:30 show in London and I loved the whole show, except Rudy's Rocky Picture show number. I found it disgusting. I was blocked in by old ladies on both sides of me and couldn't leave to stop from seeing Rudy's Rocky number. I was lucky to keep my dinner down when Rudy did his Rocky number. I did however like his other number a bit. See, it's not if a skater is gay or not. It's what they do on the ice. If Elvis, my favourite skater, did that Rocky number the same way, I would have been disgusted too. Sexual content like that should not be displayed in a figure skating event, unless it is an adult only event and billed as such. That would give me and others the option of not attending. There were children at the show. You wouldn't allow a child to watch that kind of content on TV or in a movie, would you?

Elvis' show is suppose to be a family show. I think we need to email Elvis' people and tell Elvis and them how we feel. I think there are email adresses on the SK8 With Elvis site which we can use to let them know.
Brigitte

Wow, I think you need to relax Brigitte... there is sex everywhere these days...it's in movies, commercials, tv shows... how about the WWE ?? That is full of sexual content and there are millions of kids that watch it every week... we can't hide sex... no matter what we do, we can't. I loved Rudy's number and he played the part to a tee.. I bet a number of young people have seen the Rocky Horror Picture show, I saw it when I was a kid, didn't harm me any.

Go ahead and email Elvis' people, tell them how you feel... we can't stop from doing that, but not all of us feel the way you do.

JMO

[shopper]

well i thought the number was a little over the top, but i loved it and rudy sells it so so well. rudy makes me laugh and i actually love his creativity....
it seems to me in 98 on the elvis tour he did ymca which is quite out there as well....

[donnamarie]

Well, sometimes I feel that Rudy goes beyond the bounds of good taste, as does Philippe, but it's nothing to do with whether they are gay or straight, but simply my own perception of good taste. I loved YMCA, but haven't loved all of Rudy's programs. Rudy insists that he and his sister can choreograph all of his programs, but I believe he could benefit from a good choreographer - and a costume designer at times. He's incredibly talented, but doesn't always have programs that show him off at his best.

Now back to the Elvis Tour - I wish I could see it ;)

[Intensity20]

Professordeb... I think another issue I would like to see a response about that really scares me is the "professor" part of your online name - I grew up as a young gay figure skater in rural Atlantic Canada and was blessed with a number of great high school teachers and college professors that were unbiased and unhomophobic.

If you were teaching figure skating, for instance, and had a gay student, would you try to package them with programs that hid their personality and gave a more masculine presentation?

I'm a choreographer who as a skater had these kind of limits put on me by a past coach, and if you know the kind of damage it does to someone who is gay, it's not exactly super.

So I guess my question is:

Do you believe it's within a coaches position to decide whether a gay skater is themselves or someone else?

[Lynnet]

Elvis' message (and his legacy IMO) to the skating world has always been 'skate who you are, not who someone else tells you to be'. Elvis is Elvis, Rudi is Rudi - and they are both without a doubt who they are on the ice. Good for them.

[TRAxel]

AMEN Lynnet!!

[SShaste]

As I was reading through all these posts I was thinking I was going to post something similar to what you did. I think what is so special about Elvis' tour is that he doesn't put any limits or boundries on the skaters as I've heard other skating shows do (not sure if that's true just what I've heard) and it makes his show very individual, special and it stands out from the others. I think that's why his show is so incredibly entertaining you know the skaters are enjoying every second out there because they're doing what they want to do and being who they want to be. I know the people sitting next to me didn't necessarily like Rudy's performance but I thought it was great, it was very entertaining and full of humour, he did a great job with that program!

I loved every single second of Elvis' show, it was a solid 2 and 1/2 (maybe 3?) hours of pure entertainment! It made you want to get up and dance and if Elvis was wanting people to feel like they were at a dance club well for me he definitely achieved that!

[Ice Queen]

SShaste ITA with your entire post! Your explanation of why this show stands out was nicely said. The concept of the show was to bring a show to fans that was "different" from anything they've seen. At the Toronto show I had alot of fun and witnessed other fans doing the same. We were singing along to the songs, clapping, laughing and cheering for the skaters.

Elvis has always stood out from the other skaters because he was different. He brought a bit of his personality/interests on to the ice. One thing I've always admired about him was that he wasn't afraid to be himself.

Rudy is another skater that loves to entertain and stretch his creative level. He's not afraid to be himself and he brings alot of enjoyment to skating fans. He makes you laugh, smile and forget about life's problems for awhile. I was fortunate to meet Rudy for the first time at the M&G. He was so kind and personally autographed a couple things for me. I enjoy his skating and was happy to be able to finally have the chance to tell him so.

It has been mentioned on this thread that Rudy was out of line with his program because it was a family show. I've heard this mentioned about other ice shows too. And I'll reply the same way I did back then. If you are worried that the shows will be inappropriate for your kids...stick with Disney on Ice or any of the shows that dress skaters up like Cinderella, Snow White or whatever you feel is appropriate for them to see.

[SShaste]

Thanks Ice Queen! I also just wanted to add (because I just remembered, lol) that on the Regina news station apparently the reporter asked Elvis about Rudy's program saying that he had heard it was quite different and apparently Elvis just smiled and said Rudy is well Rudy! (Now I say apparently because I didn't actually see the news cast myself but was told this from someone that did.) So I think that just proves that Elvis just wants everyone to be themselves and that is part of who Rudy is and he did a great job, whether or not it was risque is a matter of opinion and I personally did not think it was and if you explain the idea behind it (i.e. the movie and what the movie is about) then I don't think it would be so terrible for kids either, JMO. Great work done by all those skaters, I can hardly wait for next year!! In my mind I just keep thinking "How will he ever top the ramps!?" LOL!

[JD]

ok...as one with a little one..I'll now jump in....[after trying to turn the topic around]...I agree its an out there number, which I question the wisdom of....regardless of family show or not-the show is trying to bring other people into watching skating, right? So those who don't know anything about skating, could, along with many of us, find Rudy's number offensive...

Our little one understands that in skating, sometimes its a show-its meant to make a statement, or reveal your heart, or just plain have fun.

she knows Rudy is gay, she laughed at the program, she didn't see it in the way adults would- to her, he was a pure hilarious skater....it was nothing more than that. I didn't expect her to be aware of the "sexual" component, and she wasn't, and I didn't feel the need to explain it because it would rob her of her opportunity to laugh, and to be an innocent child. From her perspective, he was just being silly.

For her, Rudy was merely being his over the top self....I'd dare say most young ones who saw it wouldn't understand it. But I bet they thought it was funny...

We've seen Rudy enough times that we know you can't know what to expect. He's really unconventional, controversial and a little in your face. I think if you have a child who is a skater, and they understand for themselves the meaning of a show number, they will pass this off too.

After all the messages here, I asked her about it, thinking I might have misjudged or did something wrong. Her response: it was very funny, but I wouldn't show my butt in case the judges were watching.... I guess he's not going to compete anymore...[grin]
just my thoughts...cheers all

[professordeb]

Intensity,
please, if you would, check you PM. I sent you one and I would appreciate your taking the time to read it instead of posting here.

til later,
Deb

[singerskates]

Well, next year, I hope they (SK8 With Elvis) give those of us who find Rudy's Rocky "Horror" show number a few minutes warning so we could head to the bathroom to miss it.

Next time I'm going to get a better seat so I'm lower down. I do want to be able to make an exit for the bathroom.

Yes, Rudy is Rudy and that's the problem.

I do however really love the rest of the show and my kids are much older and don't even go to the show. Yes, there is sex everywhere but there is too much of it. I'll be praying hard for Rudy's salvation and for him to change his ways. I even have him listed at my site so others can pray for Rudy. See, I don't hate Rudy. I hate what he projects.

I have an aunt that is gay whom I love as an aunt but I don't like the gay part. I absolutely love Brian Orser's skating even though he's gay or maybe now was.

The show was great and I'm going to see it again in London next year for sure.

[Intensity20]

You go pray while I sell cosmetics and listen to Tina Turner, honey. Rudy is fabulous.

[TRAxel]

Originally posted by Intensity20
You go pray while I sell cosmetics and listen to Tina Turner, honey. Rudy is fabulous.

ROTFLMAOPIMP!!!!!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Intensity20]

Professordeb, I just read your PM and will respond to you in confidence as soon as I have time.

TRAxel, this is just another example of "what people are like". I think it would be fitting to post links to:

http://welcome.to/gayhalifax
http://www.pflag.org
http://www.gaycanada.com

Maybe it's time for a little free education.

[luckiest1]

There's no point arguing with singerskates. She's obviously one of those people who feel that being gay is either a choice :roll: or something the :twisted: devil made you do 8O .

And PML intensity20 at your post! Can I join you????

[TRAxel]

You are correct Luckiest1... singerskates is a lost cause, it's her way or NO way. :roll:

I can't believe the ignorance of some people. Oh well... I am going to admit it... here and now in front of all of you.........

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH GAY PEOPLE, IN FACT SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE GAY AND I AM PROUD TO CALL THEM MY FRIENDS. THEY ARE HUMAN'S JUST LIKE YOU AND ME!!!

Ok... I feel sooooooo much better now.

Intensity... thanks for posting those sites, I'm sure they will come in handy for some. ;)

[Hannahclear]

How do you know that Rudy isn't saved? That's a matter between him and God.

I'm saved, and I don't subscribe to your particular views. I also never use that term, because it seems to have political affiliations. You seem to be suggesting by your site that one has to share your views to be "saved" and again, how do you know that they are or are not saved? Is there a section on their websites that covers that information.

Intensity, sign me up for some blush! :D

[Intensity20]

*muah at Hannahclear*

While I am certainly someone that respects anyone's religious beliefs, I think to summarize I don't think SkatingForums is really a safe space where we can have open discussions about sexuality or religion. We watch professional figure skating to enjoy it as an art, not to make moral judgement calls on a skater's race, religion or sexual preference.

It's 2003, and whether individuals on SkatingForums like it or not, there are fabulous black and white skaters both out there, fabulous gay, straight and bisexual skaters, fabulous Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist and Pagan skaters... so many wonderful entertainers that have drawn us to the sport consistently and kept us hooked.

When we watch a great line-up of entertainers such as Sk8 with Elvis let's be reminded of the amazing careers and efforts of these skaters as artists, and whether we enjoy their vehicles or not, let's respect them: they are professionals and they are legends.

They all know how to perform, and that's what tours are about: not personal lives.

[missmarysgarden]

I am new to this forum - the forum I was active in for 5 years died a painful death because one/some members wanted to "share" their feelings and beliefs that a certain skater might be responsible for her losses at the Olympics because god found it offensive for people to wear "charms" (as in around her neck). Please be careful before you go down the route of judging others based on their religious beliefs, and keep yours to yourself. That once vibrant forum is now basically for the politically acceptable only because one member thought it appropriate to preach from her pulpit as to what god wants and what he doesn't, and who is saved.

That being said.... I have a problem with vulgar sexuality whether it is gay, straight or bisexual. Some others don't. I have loved Rudy's skating in the past, giggled at his innuendo, cheered for his wins - but I also take a bathroom break because I find his humor more suitable for Las Vegas or a bath house. It really isn't, IMHO, good family fare. Lots of parents that I have talked to have skipped shows where he is on the bill entirely because they feel uncomfortable with and for their children.

I feel the same way about some of Lu Chen's programs in the past, and Witt's as well. I'm not a prude, I just find it unfortunate and irritating when extremely talented people think they improve their programs by baring body parts and wiggling their fannys in my face. Skate, already!

[professordeb]

MissMarysGarden
You said it well and better than I did. Thanks!

til later,
Deb