skate america comes to milwaukee
By: Megan Hammond
Figure skating has gained popularity over the last decade due to cutting-edge choreography and the emergence of the quad and intense, triple-triple jump combinations. The competition at Milwaukee’s Skate America will be no exception to this philosophy.
The ISU Grand Prix circuit kicks off the figure skating season and features six international competitions. Skate America, the first competition of the season, will be held in Milwaukee at UW Panther Arena.
Skate America offers an interesting opportunity for Milwaukee. Milwaukee is not particularly well known for figure skating, but this event will evoke an interest from locals and tourists alike. Figure skating fans are known to travel halfway across the world to see their favorite athletes compete for gold. With six Olympic medalists competing, there is no doubt that fans will travel to Milwaukee for the event.
“Milwaukee is very excited to host its first international event with U.S. Figure Skating and to welcome current and future Olympians to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, a totally renovated facility that has featured everything from the Beatles to ice hockey,” VISIT Milwaukee CEO and President Paul Upchurch said in a written release.
Milwaukee will host six Olympic medalists including Gracie Gold, Julia Lipntiskaya, Jason Brown, Denis Ten, and the pair of Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov. Skate America, which typically consists of three days of competition, has been condensed into two days of competition this year. Skaters and enthusiasts alike wonder what impact this will have on the competition.
Skaters competing in the Grand Prix series must skate a short program and a free skate. The highest combined score from both programs under the International Judging System (IJS) determines the winner. The first competitions of the season typically challenge skaters’ endurance, stamina, and technical ability, as they are still working out the kinks of their new programs.
Competition begins on Friday, Oct. 23 and concludes on Saturday, Oct. 24. The traditional gala, or exhibition, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The consistent fan base is mainly due to the evolution of the sport, with the intricate balance between technical elements and artistry. This balance has become quite the debate over the last five years after Evan Lysacek won the 2010 Olympics without a quad. Yet, many claim that the quad is necessary in order to stand on top of the podium.
However, skaters like Jason Brown are challenging this ideology. Brown’s flawless artistic ability shines on the ice, and his consistent triple-triple combination jumps make him a threat, even without the quad. All eyes will be on Brown, as many are anxiously waiting to see if he will attempt a quad in competition this season.
While the quad is not part of women’s figure skating yet, triple-triple combination jumps are integral components in a winning program. Gracie Gold, 2014 U.S. National champ, is known for her triple-triple combinations, but time off the ice last season due to a stress fracture in her left foot, puts her in unmarked territory, and it is unclear if Gold’s injury from last season will impact her success this season.
Most eyes will definitely be on titleholders like Brown and Gold, but up and coming skaters such as Shoma Uno and Satoko Miyahara will likely make a splash on the Grand Prix scene. The combined points from all six competitions are calculated to determine who will compete in the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona, Spain.
The debate between artistry and technicality will continue in Milwaukee where the role of triple-triple combinations and quads will be integral in determining a winner. Veterans and new comers alike will be impacted by the condensed schedule, but the six Olympians will undoubtedly draw attention in the skating world and the area of Milwaukee.
Figure skating has gained popularity over the last decade due to cutting-edge choreography and the emergence of the quad and intense, triple-triple jump combinations. The competition at Milwaukee’s Skate America will be no exception to this philosophy.
The ISU Grand Prix circuit kicks off the figure skating season and features six international competitions. Skate America, the first competition of the season, will be held in Milwaukee at UW Panther Arena.
Skate America offers an interesting opportunity for Milwaukee. Milwaukee is not particularly well known for figure skating, but this event will evoke an interest from locals and tourists alike. Figure skating fans are known to travel halfway across the world to see their favorite athletes compete for gold. With six Olympic medalists competing, there is no doubt that fans will travel to Milwaukee for the event.
“Milwaukee is very excited to host its first international event with U.S. Figure Skating and to welcome current and future Olympians to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, a totally renovated facility that has featured everything from the Beatles to ice hockey,” VISIT Milwaukee CEO and President Paul Upchurch said in a written release.
Milwaukee will host six Olympic medalists including Gracie Gold, Julia Lipntiskaya, Jason Brown, Denis Ten, and the pair of Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov. Skate America, which typically consists of three days of competition, has been condensed into two days of competition this year. Skaters and enthusiasts alike wonder what impact this will have on the competition.
Skaters competing in the Grand Prix series must skate a short program and a free skate. The highest combined score from both programs under the International Judging System (IJS) determines the winner. The first competitions of the season typically challenge skaters’ endurance, stamina, and technical ability, as they are still working out the kinks of their new programs.
Competition begins on Friday, Oct. 23 and concludes on Saturday, Oct. 24. The traditional gala, or exhibition, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The consistent fan base is mainly due to the evolution of the sport, with the intricate balance between technical elements and artistry. This balance has become quite the debate over the last five years after Evan Lysacek won the 2010 Olympics without a quad. Yet, many claim that the quad is necessary in order to stand on top of the podium.
However, skaters like Jason Brown are challenging this ideology. Brown’s flawless artistic ability shines on the ice, and his consistent triple-triple combination jumps make him a threat, even without the quad. All eyes will be on Brown, as many are anxiously waiting to see if he will attempt a quad in competition this season.
While the quad is not part of women’s figure skating yet, triple-triple combination jumps are integral components in a winning program. Gracie Gold, 2014 U.S. National champ, is known for her triple-triple combinations, but time off the ice last season due to a stress fracture in her left foot, puts her in unmarked territory, and it is unclear if Gold’s injury from last season will impact her success this season.
Most eyes will definitely be on titleholders like Brown and Gold, but up and coming skaters such as Shoma Uno and Satoko Miyahara will likely make a splash on the Grand Prix scene. The combined points from all six competitions are calculated to determine who will compete in the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona, Spain.
The debate between artistry and technicality will continue in Milwaukee where the role of triple-triple combinations and quads will be integral in determining a winner. Veterans and new comers alike will be impacted by the condensed schedule, but the six Olympians will undoubtedly draw attention in the skating world and the area of Milwaukee.
juneteenth, a day of celebration and reflection
Photos by Parreon Reid
By: Shateria Wiley
This year, Juneteenth Day was not just about enjoying the corn or eating the best ribs on earth, many people were reflecting on freedom and leadership. A variety of festival-goers shared their thoughts on the challenges of leadership in the city of Milwaukee and the continuing importance of celebrating Juneteenth Day.
Overall, this year’s Juneteenth Day was a true celebration of unity, freedom, and the power of positive leadership.
This year, Juneteenth Day was not just about enjoying the corn or eating the best ribs on earth, many people were reflecting on freedom and leadership. A variety of festival-goers shared their thoughts on the challenges of leadership in the city of Milwaukee and the continuing importance of celebrating Juneteenth Day.
Overall, this year’s Juneteenth Day was a true celebration of unity, freedom, and the power of positive leadership.
Summerfest 2015
jazz in the park 2015
By: Sydney Kelly
Meet Sammy Thrash Life, an up-and-coming visual artist. Thrash Life’s past is what kick started his art life.
For eight years, Thrash life abused heroin and after going to rehab for two years, he reemerged as a visual artist. Thrash Life (not his real name) was among the scores of artists who displayed their art creations on a recent day at Milwaukee’s Jazz in the Park festival in Cathedral Square Park.
“While I was there, they made me start making art as part of my treatment. When I got out, I decided that I liked it, and that I wanted to keep doing it,” said Thrash Life (which is not his real name).
Over the years, he has found his style. “I just like playing with colors, I like funny faces, I like to draw bad teeth and crooked smiles. I just like color,” said Thrash Life. Along with the things he ends up creating, Thrash Life enjoys validation when people buy his work.
By targeting people interested in colorful and abstract pieces, Thrash Life makes a good living. Also, by selling his prints to specific, niche audiences, Thrash life is able to generate good income. While he mainly displays his art in galleries, Thrash Life enjoys traveling the country showcasing and selling his paintings at different festivals. Although he is not from Milwaukee, he has enjoyed his visit to the city.
Thrash Life says that hopes to continue making a living out of his passion, and that he loves every minute of being an artist. His advice to other artists is to self-promote.
“Put yourself out there, you have to promote yourself, be your own biggest advocate,” and, “You need to tell them (people) why you’re great, and why they need to put you up on the wall,” he said.
Meet Sammy Thrash Life, an up-and-coming visual artist. Thrash Life’s past is what kick started his art life.
For eight years, Thrash life abused heroin and after going to rehab for two years, he reemerged as a visual artist. Thrash Life (not his real name) was among the scores of artists who displayed their art creations on a recent day at Milwaukee’s Jazz in the Park festival in Cathedral Square Park.
“While I was there, they made me start making art as part of my treatment. When I got out, I decided that I liked it, and that I wanted to keep doing it,” said Thrash Life (which is not his real name).
Over the years, he has found his style. “I just like playing with colors, I like funny faces, I like to draw bad teeth and crooked smiles. I just like color,” said Thrash Life. Along with the things he ends up creating, Thrash Life enjoys validation when people buy his work.
By targeting people interested in colorful and abstract pieces, Thrash Life makes a good living. Also, by selling his prints to specific, niche audiences, Thrash life is able to generate good income. While he mainly displays his art in galleries, Thrash Life enjoys traveling the country showcasing and selling his paintings at different festivals. Although he is not from Milwaukee, he has enjoyed his visit to the city.
Thrash Life says that hopes to continue making a living out of his passion, and that he loves every minute of being an artist. His advice to other artists is to self-promote.
“Put yourself out there, you have to promote yourself, be your own biggest advocate,” and, “You need to tell them (people) why you’re great, and why they need to put you up on the wall,” he said.