A nationally televised ice-skating show at Covelli Olympians, ‘Idols’ team up

July 26, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

IF YOU GO

What: Skate for the Heart

When: 5 p.m. Oct. 10

Where: Covelli Centre, Youngstown

Tickets: $36.50, $51.50, $69.50 and a limited number of on-ice tickets for $89.50. Available online at Ticketmaster.com; select Giant Eagle and Macy’s locations; by phone at 800-745-3000; and at the Covelli Centre box office. Additional fees may be applicable.

Place:Covelli Centre: 229 E. Front St., Youngstown

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Joannie Rochette, a bronze medalist in the 2010 Winter Olympics, has been added to the line-up of Skate for the Heart, which will be at 5 p.m. Oct. 10 at Covelli Centre. The live skating show — which will also include unique vocal group Straight No Chaser — will be taped and then nationally broadcast Jan. 16 by NBC from 4 to 6 p.m.

Rochette, a Canadian, won over the hearts of millions with her emotional performance at the Olympics just days after her mother’s untimely death. It was one of the standout moments of the Winter Games and earned Rochette a 2010 ESPY Award nomination from ESPN.

Rochette will join a Skate for the Heart cast that includes Olympic ice-dancing silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White; 2006 silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto; three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir; 2010 U.S. champion Rachael Flatt; two-time U.S. champion Jeremy Abbott; 2010 U.S. champions Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett; 2006 silver medalist Sasha Cohen; and 2007 U.S. National silver medalist Ryan Bradley.

Skate for the Heart will be hosted by gold medalist Peggy Fleming, a strong advocate for heart health. Fleming’s father died of a heart attack one week before she won the gold, and her sister recently died of a heart ailment.

The event aims to link the passion of the Olympics with heart-disease awareness. It is being produced by Disson Skating and is sponsored by Youngstown State University, Youngstown/ Warren Regional Chamber and The Ice Zone/Mahoning Valley Phantoms.

The a cappella group Straight No Chaser will perform several of its hits live while the skaters perform. Also performing will be “American Idol” season 2 winner Ruben Studdard and season 7 runner-up David Archuleta.