Skate Dance Dream scores big with kids

GATES MILLS, Ohio - “Skate Dance Dream Gilmour” cast members performed to a full house on Saturday at the Gilmour Academy Ice Arena in Gates Mills.

The show was full of skating and dancing talent including: Richard Dornbush, 2011 U.S. National Senior Men’s Silver medalist and World Team member; Sean Rabbitt, U.S. National Senior Men’s competitor and Ashley Valerio, a top finalist from season 5 of “So You Think You Can Dance” and also some of the best local dancers and figure skaters, from The Dance Stop Studio and the Gilmour Figure Skating Club.

Parker Pennington, show producer and four-time U.S. Figure Skating champion, is proud of his third Skate Dance Dream effort, especially since the shows have provided hundreds of local kids the chance of a lifetime.

“Overall, the show was a great success. We received excellent reviews from all who attended the show. Most importantly to us, our local performers all had an incredible experience” said Pennington. “Over the course of the show weekend, they had the chance to not only perform in the show alongside the stars, but they also attended workshops, seminars, meet and greets and more.”

Pennington said his main goal in developing this show and future “Skate Dance Dream” shows is to help figure skating and dance grow within local communities across the country.

“Our Stars had great energy that they passed on to the children and when we saw smiles beaming from all of their faces, we knew their experience would be one they will remember,” he said.