One year after the renovated Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex reopened, the new ice rink is ready to host its first ice show.
Running May 8 through 10, this year’s theme is RCRC Remix’d. The performances spotlight the various aspects of the new facility — fitness, figure skating, hockey, pool and park.
“The show is a revival of the new rink, so it’s going to showcase what the facility offers,” said Cathy Brown, show director and skate academy coordinator for the Park District of Oak Park.
Brown said the show features ice skating students ages 3 through 18. There are about 700 skate academy students; the show includes 230 of them. Skaters were in the third week of rehearsals when they practiced at the rink April 26.
Many of the songs featured in the 90-minute show are remixed versions of the originals, she said, and correspond with the theme. During the pool and park portion of the show, among other songs, skaters perform to “Who Let the Dogs Out?” in a nod to the dog park, and tot skaters perform to “Rubber Ducky.”
Brown — who skated at Ridgeland Common as a child and taught lessons at the rink in the 1990s and 2000s — came up with the concept about a year ago and has been planning and preparing for it ever since.
“I thought it would be a cute idea and I ran with it,” she said.
The show, the culmination of a season’s worth of learning and practicing on the ice, showcases the skaters in a fun way that the community can enjoy, Brown said.
“It gives them the opportunity to show their parents what they’ve accomplished,” she said.
Tickets for the 2015 ice show, RCRC Remix’d, are $9 for adults and $7 for children and seniors. Show times are 7 p.m. May 8, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 9, and 1:30 p.m. May 10. All performances are at the Paul Hruby Ice Arena at Ridgeland Common Recreation Center, 415 Lake St. in Oak Park.
Tickets can be purchased at the Park District of Oak Park customer service desk at the RCRC. For more information, visit http://www.pdop.org/iceshow.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.