It’s time to bid the 2023/2024 Skate Canada Challenge adieu.
The Junior and Senior competition ran from November 30th to December 3rd in Winnipeg, Man. at the Seven Oaks arena. Next up, the 2024 Canadian Tire National Championships from January 8th to 14th in Calgary, Alta.
At Seven Oaks, there were outstanding throws and quads, superb choreography and step-sequences, sizzling spins and rotational lifts.
Speaking of rotational lifts, one stand out was the Junior and Senior Dance version of the short program – the Rhythm Dance. This might be your grandmother’s RD if she’s part of Generation X.
For the 2023/2024 season’s Rhythm Dance, the International Skating Union (ISU) chose “Music and Feeling of the Eighties” for the Junior and Seniors. While the choice was fabulous, the ISU’s statement included:
“… The couple should demonstrate through dance the culture and feeling/essence of this decade … The couple must use dance movements and dance holds to interpret the chosen music from this decade.”
In other words, choreographers were probably told to nix music from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack to avoid melting the ice.
The ISU included their usual “better safe than sorry” clause:
“Note: To comply with the ethical values of sports, any music chosen for Ice Dance competitions must not include aggressive and/or offending lyrics.”
At school dances in the 1980s, Generation X danced to Meat Loaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights” and “Love in an Elevator” by Aerosmith. DJs never said, “Oh, I’m not allowed to play that song.” It was a free for all. Blast “Cherry Pie” because 12 year olds don’t know the meaning, but they love the beat.
Music isn’t offensive, it’s an art. It’s expression. On Spotify, Taylor Swift has an “E” by some of her songs. Tay Tay, from her country years, couldn’t have predicted this explicit, ear burning fate.
Those in attendance or watching the live-stream from the Seven Oaks arena on December 1, 2023, can say they witnessed history when Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” was used in a rhythm dance. The program was sensational with eighty-thousand different cuts of music. That’s an ’80s vibe. That’s the crimped hair-cropped top-acid wash jeans we remember.
There were several “whoa” moments. During the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons, Canada’s Kevin Reynolds’ performed his short program to AC/DC’s “Back in Black” and “Thunderstruck,” bringing the audience to their feet. This weekend, there was a twist. A team chose “Back in Black” with “Hell’s Bells” (Merry Christmas) and “Shook Me All Night Long,” and this RD rocked the arena.
One standout rhythm dance was a George Michael tribute. The couple paid attention to each note, even performing an upright worm-like motion with their heads. They were seamless, especially during the second portion to “Faith.” Even their fingernails moved to this portion. Although they captured the essence of the ’80s – including the proper holds – the team was underscored. But, they rebounded in the free dance, finishing seventh overall.
We saw shades of the Battle of the Carmen’s from the 1988 Calgary Olympics with two Footloose tributes. When it’s Footloose, it’s a tie. Each team performed different portions of the movie, one represented happiness of escaping and the joy dance, and the other with the struggles of living in a town where music is evil and needing to break-free.
Another favourite was “The Power of Love” performed by Jennifer Rush. This was a spellbinding program. Their rotational lift and twizzle section were the best in the competition, and they’re in the running for a podium spot at nationals. However, their RD was underscored and “TPOL” could’ve been the reason.
It’s possible (some of) the technical panel thought “The Power of Love” was a ’90s hit. Yes, but no. In 1993, Canadian Celine Dion released a cover of the song. However, Jennifer Rush co-wrote and recorded the original in 1984. Other covers include Air Supply (1985) and Laura Branigan (1987) – although Branigan dropped “The” from the title.
Music can’t be mentioned without costumes. No one wore an “I love the ’80s” t-shirt, but one team nailed the decade with their purple, teal, and orange colour blocking “spandex” outfit. Yes, we wore electric colours and spandex. The purple on the bottom of the man’s pants even resembled windbreaker material. The combination of the colours were brilliant, and the woman’s top resembles the late-80s tankini.
How does the ISU top this season’s rhythm dance? No idea. “Music and Feeling of the Nineties” could have the same excitement. The ’90s were known for music just as the ’80s were known for music – and shoulder pads, Sun In, and Tang.
The lesson from this season? With the right tempo and some editing, any piece of music can become a great program. Just double check the song’s lyrics before hand.
Because “Rag Doll” might seem like a good idea, but it’s not.
Skating Scene 