Fort Bragg's Cleland Ice Rink skaters boogie the night away

By Sharilyn Wells/ParaglideMarch 18, 2011

Fort Bragg's Cleland Ice Rink skaters boogie the night away
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Fort Bragg's Cleland Ice Rink boogied the night away with their skating production, Flapper Days to Disco Nights - A Rock Around the Rink Production, Sunday.

Thirty-six skaters of all ages performed to music from different generations going back to the 1930s.

"I sat down with the other skating coaches and threw around some different ideas, and came up with this," said Liz Egetoe, the skating director for the rink, of the decision for the production's theme. "It gives the audience members (mostly parents of the skaters) the chance to relate to the music they grew up with."

The production opened with a startling revving of a motorcycle engine and the opening number with all performers skating to a decade's mix of music. The young Alpha/Beta age group skaters kicked off the colorful performance with their performance to "Pennies from Heaven," by Bing Crosby.

Guest skater, Noelan Parrent, gave his heart and soul to his performance to Elvis Presley's, "Blue Suede Shoes," incorporating cartwheels and Presley's famous hip wiggles. Presley was represented again during the 1950s music genre presentation as the freestlye skater performed a fun skate presentation of "Jailhouse Rock."

Cutie, Addison Walker, showed off her skills during her skate performance to "Brown Eyed Girl," by Van Morrison and the Gamma/Delta age group skaters performed a colorful skate dance to Aquarius's "Let the Sunshine In." Gloria Cadet and Lauren McCabe warmed up the rink by incorporating lots of props during their performance to "Good Vibrations," by the Beach Boys.

Representing the 1970s, Melody Ripley did a cute number to "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," by BJ Thomas while Bianca, Maria, and Cassandra Castro showed their sisterly love as they performed to "We are Family," by Sister Sledge. Closing the production was a group skate to "Dynamite," by Taio Cuiz, representing today's music.

The next big ice-skating production will be around the holidays. Sign up for the Christmas production will be in July. For more information on Cleland Ice Rink and skating lessons, call 396-5127 or visit the rink located on Reilly Street, just north of Longstreet Road.