Describing the dance number on ice as the Stripper Cowboy brings a naughty laugh from four-time world champion figure skater, Kurt Browning, as he talks about the Holiday Festival on Ice coming to CN Centre Sunday, Dec. 8.
"I'm going to skate a program called Don't Fence Me In as sung by Holly Cole and I performed this back in the mid-90s and back then I called him Stripper Cowboy because he was kind of a rhinestone cowboy. I even had my dad's brand - because we had a farm - tattooed on my ass - on the back pockets of my jeans and I was all blue with white piping and sequins and a white cowboy hat and it was tripping over the top - grinding and disgusting and this Stripper Cowboy guy, so I'm going to reprise it middle-age style. I mean gone is that costume - I don't know if I could even fit that costume - but I'm going to be doing it again but I don't know how much it's going to resemble the 1994 version that I did when I was a young buck - we'll see - I'm looking forward to it!"
Kimmie Meissner, Elvis Stojko, Joannie Rochette and Jeffrey Buttle, Shawn Sawyer, and Sinead & John Kerr, join Browning for the entertaining event that leads up to the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
"Ok, this is a first, someone took a break to crack their back during an interview," laughed Browning, who just got off the ice from a rehearsal and needed a good stretch. "Kimmie Meissner, from the United States and who was a world champion, will be in the show. Kimmie and I use Holiday on Ice to get reacquainted every year."
Sinead and John Kerr are a brother sister team, high in the world rankings. Sinead is at Battle of the Blades performing with Grant Marshall as Browning is a judge.
"We'll see her back in full speed action with her brother John during Holiday on Ice," said Browning. "I think Elvis is in the show or as I like to say, Elvis steals the show! He's got such a powerful, enthusiastic style and he's the rock 'n' roll guy out there. And I think he's skating as well as he's every skated and that's awesome."
Jeffrey Buttle will perform and Browning said he believes he's the choreographer of the show as well.
"And then there's me and Joannie Rochette, who is coming into her own and getting better and better every year," said Browning, who said when you're an amateur you're so focused on the precision of skating that when you turn pro the focus can shift to other aspects of your talent.
"Joannie has so much more to offer and she's exploring different avenues and I think she's at a wonderful place," said Browning.
Browning has been performing Holiday Festival on Ice for years and has come to Prince George often.
"I guess what makes Holiday on Ice so special is that we can be so corny," said Browning. "I mean, we can go out there and we milk Christmas for all its worth and it kinda kicks off our Christmas. So you're coming to see a show full of memories and friendships and great skaters."
This show is for everyone, Browning added.
Local skaters Jayna Mayson, 10 years old, and Abigayle Mantua, nine years old, will do a once-in-a-lifetime performance during Holiday Festival on Ice.
Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 1-855-985-5000 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca.
