On December 10th the Lithuanian telecommunication company “Omnitel” surprised three thousands of its clients, business partners and friends with an exclusive performance and ball afterwards. Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas had invited bright ice stars to Lithuania and “Omnitel” guests were the first to watch a colorful Christmas feast.

After the show all the ice field was covered with a huge carpet and in 10 minutes it was transformed into party hall.

300 meters of tables, 980 meters of cloth to cover them were used. The ball required 9500 plates and forks, 3000 tea spoons and 2500 coffee cups, 5000 wineglasses and 4000 whisky glasses, 3500 glasses for soft drinks and hot wine, finally 3500 liqueur and vodka rummers. The guests were treated with 545 liters of wine, 126 liters of brandy, 112 liters of liqueur and 130 liters of whisky.

The guests were served with 450 kilograms of first course dishes, 280 kilograms of cold fish snacks, 9000 small sandwiches and 350 kilograms of salads. The peak of the ball – 160 kilograms “Omnitel” cake went down on the main table from the very top of the ice arena.

Margarita Drobiazko/Povilas Vanagas have started yet another career: The popular ice dancing couple organized their first international skating shows in their home country last December. They invited several World Champions and an Olympic Champion from December 10 to 12 to Lithuania’s capital Vilnius for three successful shows. The new ice rink “Ledo Rumai” opened its doors in September. It seats 3,000 spectators and was a good venue for the event. The skating show was something special and new to Lithuania. Not only skating fans, but also politicians came to watch. “Almost the whole Lithuanian government attended the first two days”, Vanagas said. The Prime Minister and other members of the government came on the first day while Lithuania’s President at this time, Valdas Adamkus and his wife appeared on the second day. “The President was really surprised and enjoyed the show a lot. He never would have expected that the show would have such a high level”, explained Vanagas’ mother Lilija, who sat at the President’s table.

Omnitel, a Lithuanian phone company, had booked the whole show at the first day and invited their employees as well as clients and guest. After the show, carpets were rolled out on the ice, and the after show party with buffet, dance, music and a huge christmas tree took part right on the ice! It was a wounderful and unusual idea.

Obviously, Drobiazko/Vanagas were the celebrated stars on all three evenings. They vowed the crowd with their almost classical programs “Sunrise at Alcatraz” and “Thread of Ariadne”, but also with a new number called “Dreams of the East”. This dance is set to Egyptian music and includes many interesting lifts and moves. The couple worked on it with Juri Pusakov, the same choreographer, who created “Ariadne”, which is a favorite program of many fans.

1994 Olympic Champion Alexei Urmanov turned out to be in top shape and skated strongly to “Phantom of the Opera” and “Prince of Egypt”. His jumps were high and solid, and his speed was unmatched. The 1995 World Pairs Champions Radka Kovarikova/Rene Novotny impressed with difficult lifts to “Music” and “Hero”. The Czech husband and wife team even produced a throw triple toeloop, proving how well trained they still are.

Maria Petrova/Alexej Tikhonov of Russia, the 2000 World Champions, presented a cute number to Russian Folk music (an old short program converted into an exhibition number) and the rocky “I had my chance”. Bulgaria’s Albena Denkova/Maxim Staviski skated their free dance “Egypt” in new white-golden costumes that looked gorgeous. “These costumes were Maxim’s idea”, Albena revealed. The audience also enjoyed their funny “The Drinker”.

The acrobats Armen and Akop were quite a contrast to the other skaters. They used two rather old programs “Austin Powers” and “Captain Jack”, but the Lithuanian audience probably never saw them before. 1999 World Champion Maria Butyrskaya had two new routines: “Ave Maria” and “Eyes like yours” by Shakira. Both numbers suit the Russian “Lady on Ice” very well. Maria did the Shakira-piece by herself, while she worked on “Ave Maria” with Elena Maslennikova, the former coach of Drobiazko/Vanagas. Maslennikova was also responsible for the opening and closing numbers of the shows.

French showman Philippe Candeloro came only for the first day, then he had to return home to take care of his two young daughters. Other performers were hoola hoop artist Irina Grigorian, Gabriel Monnier of France, Lithunian single skaters Gintare Vostrecovaite, Aidas Reklys and Tomas Katukevicius. A new Lithuanian dance team presented themselves as well. Clover Zatz (an American) and Aurimas Radisauskas are nice to watch, but still at the beginning of their career. They train in New Jersey with Alexander Zhulin.  

The stars and organizers were pleased with how the shows went. “We organized smaller shows before, in Kaunas (Vanagas’ home town), but this was something completely different”, Margarita Drobiazko said. “We were afraid to forget something important and therefore checked and rechecked everything. All that cost us a lot of time. It will be easier next year.” The show was realized within four months after the idea came up.

The husband-and-wife team hopes to bring their show to other Lithuanian and Baltic cities. “We’d like to expand the show business in Europe”, Drobiazko explained. “So far, there are shows only in France, Germany and Switzerland. Maybe we can realize an European tour one day.” For that, the couple wants to cooperate with Philippe Candeloro and Daniel Weiss, who organize events in France and Germany.

Let’s hope that the shows in Vilnius were just the beginning of a new tradition!

We are always glad to see our beloved Margarita and Povilas in Lithuania. It is an exciting possibility to welcome them and to share the joy of their victories. It is especially pleasant, when people creating beauty, come back in Lithuania and share their talent with Lithuanian people and present them unforgettable memories. Ice Show "Ice Stars" was the most beautiful Christmas present. We wish more energy and new victories in the future"

"It has never happened before! A performance of world ice stars is the most beautiful Christmas gift ever. A grand and fantastic feast. And, what's more, at an ice arena! The impressions will linger throughout the year! These and similar phrases could be heard at the ice arena all evening".