http://www.ifsmagazine.com/articles/324 ... dU.twitterXue Shen and Hongbo Zhao: Pure Artistry on IceSome of the world’s top skating stars took to the stage for the 2012 “Artistry on Ice” tour that played out in Taiwan and three cities in China in June.
Headliners Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao were joined by Shizuka Arakawa, Evgeni Plushenko, Joannie Rochette, Johnny Weir, Jeffrey Buttle, guest star Yuna Kim, and other international stars.
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“The Beijing show was in the Capital Stadium, which is like our second home. We have been there training since 1992. There were so many memories.”
Shen and Zhao performed a number “20 Years” which was a compilation of sections of many of their competitive programs. “So many memories from competitions came back to us,” added Zhao who serenaded his wife during the shows.
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Russia’s Evgeni Plushenko was in a competitive mood, performing both of his new programs at the show. “My short is ‘Storm’ and the long is a Tango. Both are performed to music from my best friend Edvin Marton,” Plushenko said. “I look forward to skating these programs for everyone. I always skate for everyone, not just for myself.”Performing to “Moulin Rouge” was one of Johnny Weir’s favorite moments. “I love that movie. When I heard the opening was “Moulin Rouge” I was very happy, because I knew all of us were going to have fun. We were all dressed very gentlemanly,” he said.
“My costumes were actually quite simple for me. For one of my programs I collaborated with Edvin, who as you know always makes great music. I really wanted the music to speak for itself so I did not need to dress like a Christmas tree for it.”
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The tour was the final performance for Shen and Zhao. “After this we will be working with the Chinese Junior National team. For the details of what we will be doing, there’s still a lot left for discussions,” Zhao said.