Skating season's last hurrah

This is the time of year when most figure skaters hang up their blades after a long season. But before they do, they'll lace up the skates one more time to show their communities the moves, spins and routines they've been working on all winter.

Each spring, area figure-skating clubs produce a spring ice show, complete with costumes, choreography, lights and music. It's an opportunity for skaters at all skill levels to perform in front of their hometown audiences. Besides a gold medal in competition, this is as good as it gets.

The Figure Skating Club of Minneapolis is celebrating its 50th ice show anniversary this weekend. Its show, "Gold on Ice," will feature the intermediate/teen synchronized skating team, which recently returned with a gold medal from the Ice Skating Institute's National Championships.

They are one of two synchronized teams performing at this year's show, along with a compulsory team, nine group performances, eight solos including the current U.S. Figure Skating adult national silver medalist, and a crowd favorite -- the parent group.

UPCOMING ICE SHOWS

Figure Skating Club of Minneapolis

What: "Gold on Ice" 50th Ice Show Anniversary

When: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Augsburg Ice Arena, 2323 Riverside Av., Minneapolis

Tickets: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children 12 and younger, and free for kids 3 and younger

EDEN PRAIRIE FIGURE SKATING CLUB

What: "Broadway on Blades," with music and costumes from "Wicked," "Hairspray," "The Lion King" and "Dreamgirls"

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Eden Prairie Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie

Tickets: $8 for adults, $5 for students, free for kids 4 and younger

PARADE FIGURE SKATING CLUB

What: "The Hit Parade," featuring hit music from every era

When: 7 p.m. Friday; 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Parade Ice Garden, 600 Kenwood Pkwy., Minneapolis

Tickets: $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors

FIGURE SKATING CLUB OF BLOOMINGTON

What: "Ice School Musicals," with music and costumes from "Grease," "Beauty and the Beast," "High School Musical" and "Chicago"

When: 7 p.m. May 3; 2 p.m. May 4

Where: Bloomington Ice Garden, 3600 W. 98th St., Bloomington

Tickets: $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, free for kids 5 and younger

BRAEMAR CITY OF LAKES FIGURE SKATING CLUB

What: "Take Me There on the SS Braemar" with cruise line-style entertainment, including Peter Pan, Cinderella and Mickey Mouse

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Braemar Ice Arena, 7501 Ikola Way, Edina

Tickets: $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors

MINNETONKA ICE ARENA'S ALL SEASON SKATING SCHOOL

What: 34th Annual Silver Skates Ice Revue, "Lights on Broadway"

When: 6:30 p.m. May 1 and May 2; 3 p.m. May 3

Where: Minnetonka Ice Arena, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka

Tickets: $6 for adults, $4 for students, free for kids 5 and younger