The show is called "Lighting the Way of Hope - A Skaters Tribute." This United States Figure Skating Association-sanctioned event is being hosted by members of the Wallace Figure Skating Club, and all of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross hurricane relief effort.
Ms. Duxbury said the images that came out of Hurricane Katrina are still in her memory. "How could anyone ever forget what those people went through? I knew immediately that I had to do something and so I did what I know best, skating."
As a professional skater and choreographer, who skates out of the Colonial Skating Club, Acton, Ms. Duxbury used her contacts to enlist the support of her fellow figure skaters.
"I don't think I had anyone who refused me," she said. "They're all performing free of charge and it's going to be an awesome show."
Headlining the show will be Scott Smith from the Skating Club of Boston, who recently won the 2005 Ondrej Nepele Memorial Trophy and the silver medal at the Nebelhorn Trophy in 2003.
Last season, in 2004, Smith competed in the Finlandia Trophy, where he placed fourth, and the Cup of Russia, where he finished sixth. Last year, he completed in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where he placed in the top 10. His goal for this year he states is "to skate consistently and qualify for the World and Olympic teams."
Also hitting the ice will be Juliana Cannarozzo, whose captivating style recently landed her a role in the Disney box office hit "Ice Princess," starring John Cusack and Kim Cattrall.
She recently brought home two Junior Grand Prix bronze medals, one from Nagano, Japan, and the other from Bulgaria. Last year, she placed first in the junior category at the New England Championships and took home the pewter medal in the Eastern Sectional Division.
Both Cannarozzo and Smith are headed for the nationals and will be competing for spots on the U.S. team for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
Also performing will be Stephen Carriere, who recently qualified for two Junior Grand Prix finals. He is a national junior men's competitor and 2005 Eastern Sectional junior men's champion. Joining him will be the pair team of Julia Vlassov and Drew Meekins, who earned medals in two recent Junior Grand Prix events. Adding to the night will be the 2005 New England Juvenile Dance team of Chloe Wolf and Rhys Ainsworth, professional show skater and Westford native Colleen Maguire, and Karen Ingwersen, 2004 United States Adult Figure Skating champion.
Ms. Duxbury said the show will last approximately two hours. Following the show, there will be a "meet and greet" event, meaning members of the public can meet with the performers.
"We are truly grateful for the help and support of Beth-Anne Duxbury and this talented group of skaters," said Deanie Harris, executive director of the American Red Cross North Central Massachusetts Chapter.
"This has been an extraordinary year filled with increasing needs of victims here in our backyard and across the country," Ms. Harris said.
The American Red Cross has provided nearly 3 million overnight stays in more than 1,150 shelters across the country. This includes 36 Hurricane Katrina families who have relocated to the North Central Massachusetts area.
"I think these numbers are staggering," said Ms. Harris. "Katrina impacted 15 times the number of families needing assistance after all four hurricanes in 2004. And Rita was still bigger than any of those 2004 hurricanes," Ms. Harris said.
Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children and are available at the door that evening, or by calling the Wallace Civic Center at (978) 345-7593.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance relief is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of recent disasters and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.
Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross Chapter 114 Merriam Ave., Leominster, MA 01453.
