BROOKINGS — Outside, the South Dakota spring may be unpredictable, but inside Larson Ice Center this weekend, the Brookings Figure Skating Club will prove they can harness the storm.
From the smallest pre-K “snowflakes” to the powerful strikes of high school seniors, 64 local skaters are preparing to turn Mother Nature’s fury into a choreographed dance of grace and steel for the club’s 31st annual show, “Twisters on Ice.”
Speaking with The Brookings Register, show director Morgan Kohl said skaters will perform to music inspired by Mother Nature’s weather patterns.
“I think that living here in the Midwest, we experience all of the seasons here, whether — around this time of year especially — rain, sunshine, snow, and so I think that was really an inspiration for our club,” she said. “A lot of suggestions were kind of a movie theme, and so this is one that we chose. I think a lot of our skaters are excited for (it) and I think (it’s) a theme that a lot of the community can easily relate to.”
There will be two performances; one on March 28 at 6 p.m. and another on March 29 at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $8 for K-12 students and $12 for adults, and can be purchased at Hy-Vee, online at brookingsfsc.com or at the door. Children 5 and younger can attend at no cost. The center is at 924 32nd Ave.
Kohl said the two-act ice show is the club’s biggest event of the year and attracts a big crowd to watch the skaters’ graceful and skilled performances.
“It’s really truly an event where all our club skaters can really just showcase all their skills and hard work and talent that they’ve really worked on over the past skating season,” she said.
As much as the audience appreciates the family friendly spectacle, it’s also something thoroughly enjoyed by the skaters as their practice and dedication pays off in a big way.
“It’s an event that our skaters look forward to each and every year,” Kohl said. “We have hundreds of people who come and watch our show, including parents, grandparents and community members.”
She added, “This year, we’re hoping to have a few more in attendance being that this is going to be our biggest cast that we’ve had within the Brookings Figure Skating Club.”
In addition to choreography, the show will include costume changes, props and colorful sets to accompany the music. Kohl isn’t running the show by herself, either; she’ll be helped by coaches Dana Martens, Ava Paulson, Cloe Barber and Rylie Raverty.
“I think that a lot of parents and skaters themselves really enjoy the ice show every year. For some people, it’s probably what they’ve been looking forward to all season long and (is) a big part of what they work for and strive for throughout the season,” Kohl reiterated. “I think it’s just a very popular event within the community, and I think just with the skating world in general.”
The ice show is a partnership between the club and the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. If you’re curious, more information about the show — or how to join the club — can be found on the club’s Facebook page or by emailing the board of directors at [email protected].
In closing, Kohl said the show helps shine a light on figure skating, and all of the work that its athletes put into it.
“Figure skating is a sport that maybe doesn’t always necessarily get the credit that it deserves, being how tough of a sport (it is) and a lot of the hours and time spent training (by our athletes),” she explained. “I think that this is a great way — whether you come from a figure skating background or not — for anyone that has any level of interest … in figure skating or just enjoys watching figure skating (to get involved). This is by far our biggest and best event to be able to allow the community to come out and watch and really learn a little bit more about what figure skating is all about.”
Kohl finished, “It’s a very entertaining show. It’s for all ages, whether it’s a toddler all the way up to grandparents. I think that we have something for everybody.”
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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