1. sports
2. skating

FLASHING BLADES
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012
WHAT IS FLASHING BLADES?
Flashing Blades is our year end skating show, also called the Carnival, featuring the talent of our skaters from
Preschool to Senior B. ALL skaters from the Brant Skating Club participate. All skaters are placed in a group
based on their skating ability after the first test day that is completed on or before December 1st.
This year will be our 62nd Flashing Blades.” It is performed at the Brantford Civic Center and this year
it will be on March 31st 2012. As always, there will be two shows: 1pm and 7pm. All skaters are
expected to perform at both shows. Awards will be handed out at the second show to those who
qualify.
The show is split into two sections. The Junior production showcases the Preschool, Canskate, and
Junior skaters. The Senior production features the Intermediate A and B and Senior A and B skaters.
The theme for this year’s Flashing Blades is Once Upon a Time for the Junior production and Cats for
the Senior production. If we are lucky enough we will also have guest skaters perform in the show. In
past years we have had Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir as well as our very own Mary Orr and Anthony
Furiano.
COSTUME INFORMATION
Costumes were designed by the Coaches and Coordinators in accordance with the theme. Costume
fabric is supplied by the Brant Skating Club, however it is the responsibility of the skater to make the
costume and on time. There are some sewers within the club that offer their services for a nominal fee,
however the BSC does not assume any responsibility for their workmanship.
Costume patterns and materials will be distributed in early January. You will be informed by email,
postings at the arena and/or in your mailbox when it arrives. There will be demos made and on display
in the arena for you to see what the costume should look like. Please note: zippers, thread, velro, etc
will NOT be supplied by the Brant Skating Club. Please follow the instructions given for patterns and
do not add extra accessories or embellishments.
If your child is in the Junior production and you have any questions, please call Denise Christensen at
519-512-0485 or email [email protected].
If your child is in the Senior production please call Sandra Larose 519-759-2305 or email at
[email protected] (preferred).
PRACTICE AND REHEARSAL TIMES
Practices for the Junior production usually start mid-February. Time will be divided between Flashing
Blades practice and regular badge work.
Skaters will continue to come at the same time as usual.
Please see the following schedule to see when your child will be practicing:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 18, MARCH 3, 10, 17.
12:00p.m. – Where the Wild Things Are
12:15p.m. – Fancy Nancy
12:30p.m. – Raggedy Ann
12:45p.m. – Mary Poppins
1:00p.m. – FLOOD
1:10p.m. – Edge Class
1:25p.m. – Harry Potter – Group 1
1:40p.m. – Harry Potter – Group 2
1:55p.m. – Free-Skate or Harry Potter Group 1 & 2
2:10p.m. – Dance Class
2:25p.m. – Stroking Class
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 22, 29, March 7, 14, 28.
5:30p.m. – Winnie the Pooh
5:45p.m. – Green Eggs and Ham
6:00p.m. – Olivia
6:15p.m. – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
6:30p.m. – Flood
6:40p.m. – Edge Class
6:50p.m. – Harry Potter Group 1
7:05p.m. – Harry Potter Group 2
7:20p.m. – Free-Skate
7:35p.m. – Dance Class
7:45p.m. – Stroking Class
SPECIAL PRACTICES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21st.
5:30p.m. – Feature Practice- Soloists and features in Junior Production.
6:00p.m. – Finale` Practice – Where the Wild Things Are, Fancy Nancy,
Raggedy Ann, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, Winnie The Pooh,
Green Eggs and Ham, Olivia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
7:00p.m. – FLOOD
7:10p.m. – Harry Potter Group 1 & 2
SATURDAY, MARCH 24th. – ******CIVIC CENTER*******
9:00a.m. -12:00p.m. – Junior Production Run-Thru – Soloists and features in
Junior Production, Pre-School – Mother Goose Nursery
Rhymes, Where the Wild Things Are, Fancy Nancy,
Raggedy Ann, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter,
Winnie The Pooh, Green Eggs and Ham, Olivia,
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Practices for the Senior production will start in March. A schedule will be posted and
emailed at a later time.
IMPORTANT DATES
February 12th 2012 Flashing Blades Picture Day:
The picture day schedule will be emailed, posted at the arena, and/or put in skater’s mailboxes. All
skaters are to be in the Lions Park auditorium a half hour before scheduled times. Hair and make-up
should already be done. No jewelry may be worn. The photographer will take group and individual
pictures.
Rehearsals:
March 24 - Run through for Junior production
March 29 - Run through for Senior production
March 30 - Dress Rehearsal for all skaters (must be in full costume.)
March 31st :
Flashing Blades! Two shows: Matinee at 1pm and evening performance at 7pm. All skaters must
arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the show.
FLASHING BLADES RULES
Rules and regulations are in place for the benefit of skaters and coaches. Please review these rules
carefully. YOU are responsible for your ensuring your skater understands and abides by them.
Attendance
For a successful show, as well as for safety reasons, it is imperative that your child know their role in
their number.
Attendance at practices and rehearsals is not optional. Your skater may miss a maximum of only two
practices. Intermediate B and Senior skaters may miss no more than two in any one number.
Attendance will be taken and strictly enforced. More than ten minutes late to a practice will count as
being absent. There are no exceptions to the rules.
All skaters MUST attend their run through, the dress rehearsals, and both shows.
Skaters are to be on time for dress rehearsal and both shows and MUST arrive forty five minutes before
show time.
Dressing Room
Skater must remain in the dressing room until it is their group’s turn to be on the ice. If a skater must
leave for any reason, they must advise the dressing room volunteer. Costumes are to be covered at all
times. Parents are NOT allowed in the dressing rooms unless they are the dressing room volunteer for
that shift.
One parent may stay with the child only until the dressing room volunteer arrives. You may pick up
your child at intermission in the breezeway of the auditorium. The back hallway of the arena near the
stage area will be blocked off during the show. (For security reasons, the auditorium doors will remain
closed until every group is off the ice, in the auditorium, and in their specific spot.) Preschool parents,
please allow the dressing room parents to escort the children to/from the ice. Your child may be met in
the auditorium at the end of their number.
No food or drinks will be allowed in the dressing rooms, by skaters, parents or volunteers.
Intermediate and Senior skaters may leave the dressing rooms to watch the show, but NOT TO
WANDER THE HALLS. In order to leave the dressing rooms, the costume must be completely
covered and the skaters must report to a dressing room parent before leaving and on their return.
Intermission will be short. All skaters in the second half of the show must be in their dressing rooms by
the end of the first half of the show and remain there until ice time.
Other rules
Skates must be clean for dress rehearsal and all shows. Laces should be clean and no socks should
show above the skates.
All skate guards need the skater’s name clearly marked.
No talking backstage or on the ice during the show.
No gum chewing.
Do not wear watches or jewelry, unless it is part of the costume.
Absolutely no flowers are to be thrown on the ice.
No parents are allowed backstage unless as a volunteer.
Intermediate and senior skaters must wear skating attire for all practices; long hair must be tied back.
A 100% effort and cooperation is expected.
Please help us all abide by these rules for the safety and enjoyment
of all the skaters.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q) How do I get more information?
A) View the bulletin board, check your mailbox, or contact a board member. All names and numbers
are on the website www.brantskatingclub.ca or contact the Flashing Blades chair at
[email protected].
Q) How can I participate?
A) You may want to volunteer your time in the many jobs needed to be done in a show of this size.
Please see below under “We need your help” for many areas of need.
Q) Why do we have rules and regulations?
A) These are in place for the safety and benefit of both skaters and coaches.
Q) What if my child missed too many practices?
A) He/she might not be allowed to participate. See Coordinator (Nancy Osborn for Junior Production,
Lee Ann McMillan for Senior Production, or any board member) to discuss your child’s absence.
Q) Why is my child not in the same group as her/his friend?
A) Skaters are grouped based on their skating ability.
Q) Why is that skater a Featured Skater?
A) All skaters are featured one way of another, but only StarSkate skaters who adhere to criteria set by
board members and coordinators will have a feature or solo.
Q) Can anyone participate?
A) All skaters whose home club is the Brant Skating Club may participate in the Flashing Blades. If
your skater’s name is not on the casting list, see Nancy Osborn or any board member immediately.
Q) Can we go away for March Break?
A) Yes, you can go away during March Break. Practice schedules have been planned to allow for
skaters to miss March break and still participate in the show. However, your skater is only allowed to
miss two scheduled practices or he/she may be removed from the show.
***WE NEED YOUR HELP!***
The Brant Skating Club’s Flashing Blades is organized by members of the board, who are volunteers.
There aren’t many of us so we need a lot of parents to step forward to make the show great!
If you would like to help out in any of the following areas, please contact Rhonda Hurren at
[email protected]
ADVERTISING: VACANT
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Attend all Flashing Blades meetings
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Form sub committees
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Obtain contracts from Rhonda
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Source suppliers on creating and printing of the program
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Source list from previous advertisers in the program book
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Mail, fax, email or hand deliver contracts
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Follow up on calls to all letters delivered/retrieved signed contracts, cheque and art needed for
book.
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Confer with Rhonda on pictures and names associated with each for insertion into program
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Help create mock-up sample of program along with all advertised ads.
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Have proof readers ready and available for final approval by Brant Skating Club’s board
members. *This should all be done within three weeks of Flashing Blades to allow printer at least a
week to ten days for set up
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Advertising and Program Creation volunteers will work together.
PROGRAM CREATION: VACANT
A volunteer will work together with the above “advertising” volunteer to ensure smooth transition of
the program. This can be one and the same if the printer is involved in the process.
DRESSING ROOMS: VACANT (Junior Production)
DIANE VILACA (Senior Production)
On Dress Rehearsal night (March 30th) and Flashing Blades day (March 31st at 1pm and 7pm) The
Junior skaters will be set up in specific groups in the auditorium of the Brantford Civic Centre and the
Senior skaters will be in specific dressing rooms at the Civic Centre before the shows.
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Supervise children in their specific groups before and after they go on the ice
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Ensure parents sign their skater in and out.
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Collect all skate guards and stay until each skater has been picked up from their parents.
*Volunteers can volunteer for one or more shows, they do not have to do all three.
PROGRAM SALES: VACANT
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Attend all Flashing Blades meetings.
Form a committee of volunteers to sell programs during Dress Rehearsal and both shows.
Source aprons for volunteer sellers
Strong box to be held by you or the treasurer
Man table at front lobby of the Civic Center.
Log amount of books given and moneys return to each seller.
Collect all moneys from volunteers and submit to Treasurer at end of each show.
All unsold books to be delivered to Lions Park arena.
SECURITY: TROY HURREN – Head of Security
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Ensure parents and spectators have passes
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Ensure no one enters restricted areas.
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Security volunteers may help with a half, one, two or all three shows. The Security head will
arrange a schedule.
PUBLICITY: VACANT
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Attend Flashing Blades meetings
Source different media venues and cost for the following.
Newspaper ads, outdoor billboard signs and available locations.
Report finding to committee and decide the best course of action.
Confirm dates and location of supplier of choice.
Ensure confirmed dates are being followed
LIGHTING/ELECTRICAL: JIM SEARLE – Head of Lighting/Electrical
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Run a spotlight (usually eight people) one to all three shows. Schedules will be decided on by
Jim.
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Run the electrical panel up in the gondola for dress rehearsal and both shows.
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Help set up March 29th, March 30th.
PROPS: ANDY ZOLNIEROWICZ – Head of Props
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Volunteers will confer with Prop Head person and they will decide what would need to be made.
Creation, wood working, painting, etc is all needed in the making of props.
TICKETS: VACANT
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Attend all Flashing Blades meetings
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Form a sub committee
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Source printer for cost and timing of creating tickets
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Report information to the committee and decide of cost
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Confirm the look and advise printer
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Ensure ticket convenor is responsible and trustworthy
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Provide tickets, list of skater’s names within each group and responsibility of convener.
Convenor should receive the above along with extra tickets for people needing them. Convenor is
responsible for collection all moneys and unsold tickets from group assigned before Dress rehearsal
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Ticket Committee head responsible for balancing with the help of the Treasurer dress rehearsal
night
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All moneys to be given to treasurer.
SET UP AND TEAR DOWN:
Many volunteers are so desperately needed in this area. It takes many days and countless hours to set
up for the shows for our children.
If you have any further questions please contact any board member (see our
website www.brantskatingclub.ca) or contact Rhonda Hurren, the Flashing Blades
chair at [email protected].