Grace, beauty of world-class ice dancing comes to Dover tomorrow

Two of the IDI dancers during a practice for Friday night's performance at the Dover Ice Arena. (David J. Murray photo)

DOVER - The Maine-based Ice Dance International launches a multi-state tour this month, "In Flight Live," including a stop on Friday in Dover at the Dover Ice Arena located at 110 Portland Ave.

The show boasts a mix of world-premiere pieces and previous works, blending emotional and stirring performances set to familiar classical music and contemporary artists including Thom Yorke, Ben Kweller, Max Richter and Artie Shaw.

Tickets are just $20 for the 7 p.m. show with open seating so it's a chance for the whole family to see top-notch skaters up close and person, organizers say.

Directed by IDI Executive Artistic Director Douglas Webster - an accomplished choreographer whose work has been seen in stadiums and on TV worldwide - the tour includes new works by Webster and dances created for the company by ballet legend Edward Villella, in-demand dancemaker Trey McIntyre, top international choreographers Benoit Richaud and Cindy Stuart.

Award-winning performers on this tour include: Grand Prix Final Champion, two-time Skate Canada Champion and two-time U.S. National Champion Alissa Czisny (from Detroit, Mich.); five-time U.S. National competitor and ISU Junior Grand Prix Competitor Kseniya Ponomaryova (Chicago); and U.S. Figure Skating Championships silver medalist, Junior World Competitor, and former Team USA Ice Dancer Collin Brubaker (Chicago).

"In Flight, Live" showcases the very best things ice dancing gives to its performers and its audiences alike - the feeling of what it's like to fly and glide freely," Webster said. "That freedom was the inspiration for our two public television specials, and for this tour as well."