Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Magic Becomes Art...

...when it has nothing to hide.
— Ben Okri

Stunning fan art by 
@glace_icywaterdri on Weibo. 
Original pics here.



60+ spectacular 
Artistry on Ice pics below!!
Plus video!



Johnny has announced the results! 
Did your favorite win?



Johnny’s ONLY US performance 
this summer will be in Sun Valley, ID, August 16. 
Tickets on sale now. 
Don’t miss this chance to see him skate live!!




Dear Johnny, 
we believe in you, 
we support you, and 
we love you always.


Note: Candles last only 48 hours, so please visit often 
to keep the love and light shining...

Exclusive photo © David Ingogly.



So today is my birthday, and everyone has already been really really nice about that, and since no one has sighed yet or glanced impatiently at their watches no matter how many times I exclaim, “These are my favorites!” as I throw yet another batch of Artistry on Ice picspam on here, probably because everyone kindly recognizes that repeating oneself is a sign of aging, which I’m merrily doing right now as we speak, I’m just going to play my favorites card again today because it’s my birthday (did I mention that? Did we also talk about age-related forgetfulness? I can’t remember. Note: people who correspond with me frequently will recognize these as actual conversational moments), except that these are really really really my favorites. All from the second stop of the tour, Shanghai, bookended by simply stupendous fan art from Guangzhou.

And so in thanks for all the lovely tweets and posts and photos and everything today, here is my gift to you: yet more amazing moments from China with our magical Diva Ice King.

We begin with this brief video that absolutely made my day when I saw it.

Johnny is such a larger-than life figure, a huge talent who has taken his place on the world’s stage multiple times, from captivating audiences around the globe in three Olympics—twice as athlete, a third as insightful, witty, and mega-fashionable commentator—and endless tours and television appearances, to passionately speaking his own mind to an international audience on topics ranging from being denigrated by newscasters to wearing fur to fighting for LGBT rights, and standing by his words and beliefs no matter what anyone else says.

And yet here he is, talking with his fans in Shanghai about... hair issues. Like a regular person.

I could watch this all day. It makes me laugh every time. Also it’s likely that I might forget that I watched it. But I could think of worse fates than being delighted anew by Johnny multiple times a day...

Video link.



Both series of Shanghai performance photos below—Bollywood and Concubine—are by the same tremendously talented photographer from Weibo. Please, please click any photo twice for the full-size image. These may take a moment to load, but, as always, are well worth the wait.



Shanghai Favorites.
Part 1: Bollywood.

This program, as amazing as it is, is in danger of being overshadowed by the already legendary Concubine program from the AOI tour. So today I’m taking my time to savor Johnny’s “Nagada Sang Dhol” program all over again through these gorgeous pics.

































































Video!! New version of Johnny’s Bollywood 
performance in Shanghai!
Video link.

Additional version here.



 One more. This one is huuuuuge. 
Please do click for full-size image.



Part 2: Concubine.

This photo series, from Johnny’s Shanghai performance of “Farewell My Concubine” with partner Zhang Hao, is unlike any other series I’ve seen. 

The composition of the photos combined with the lighting and detail render these truly works of art. 

Please take your time in scrolling through these, and please be sure to click to the full-size images on the biggest monitor you can find. 

Johnny and Zhang’s facial expressions are captured here so well and so beautifully that the photos alone are as moving as the performance. 






































Video!! New version of 
“Farewell My Concubine” from Shanghai!
Video link.

Additional versions here and here
All gorgeous. Always worth watching the successful
throw jump from every conceivable angle.



Part 3. Finale and Postshow.

Johnny gathers flowers from fans all over the arena. 
Here fans are holding one of the huge Chinese Angels banners. 
The lighted sign spells “Johnny” in Chinese.












With Li Zijun.




Back at the hotel in Shanghai with fans.
Hot, exhausted, and as kind and patient as ever.







Part 4. Bonus Pics:
Shanghai Press Conference.

With the enchanting Stéphane Lambiel.
(These pics are nicely sized BTW.)




















Part 5. Postscript.

As incredible as it is to see Johnny perform, it is equally riveting to watch him rehearse. Someone had the genius idea to pair this rehearsal footage from Shanghai with Lady Gaga’s “Applause.” I love this so much that it is my other fav video in this post besides the hair one. And now I need a full Johnny “Applause” program please.... 

Another one for repeat viewing.
Plus bonus Stéphane.
Video link.



Thank you, Johnny, for making this world 
a more beautiful and magical place, 
and helping me to see the magic 
even within myself.





Thank you both so very much!!



Bonus video!! 
From Johnny’s Russian fan group, Diva on Ice. 
спасибо!! 
So wonderful that it must be shared with everyone.



Very special thanks to Elena Vasileva 
for all her hard work as our video ninja!!



ICYMI: Concubine
Beautiful mega-picspam from 
the Guangzhou livestream.

Photo art detail from an exclusive photo © Joveta Leo.



Bollywood in Beijing and Other Stories.
All the picspam one could possibly want 
of Johnny’s performance to Nagada Sang Dhol 
at the Beijing premiere of Artistry on Ice.

Photo © Maria Ma.



Love Is In Your Eyes.
Gorgeous photos of Johnny as the King’s Consort 
and partner Zhang Hao as the King in 
their stunning performance inspired by
“Farewell My Concubine,” from the opening show 
of the Artistry on Ice tour.  



Forbidden Love: The King’s Consort.
First look at Johnny and partner Zhang Hao
in their premiere performance inspired by
“Farewell My Concubine.”  

Exclusive photo © Joveta Leo.
Please, please click here 
for stunning full-size image.



The Weibocalypse Is Nigh.
Thursday rehearsal pics plus coverage 
of the Beijing press conference!
Please click here for beautiful full-size image, 
and roll around in the picspam here.
Exclusive photo © Joveta Leo.



Surrounded By So Much Love.
Wednesday rehearsal pics plus fan meeting pics!
Not all of the rehearsal was quite this serious, though.... 
Please click for beautiful full-size image,
and enjoy all the endless picspam here



Johnny stars in To Russia With Love
a new documentary about LGBT athletes, portions of which 
were filmed in secret during his time in Sochi as an NBC figure 
skating commentator. He also is an executive producer for the film, 
a project of Robert Redford’s Sundance Productions, 
which will premiere October 22.
More info here and on the EPIX website.



Johnny and Tara’s brilliant commentary 
segment from Late Night With Seth Meyers!
Video link.
Watch their interview with Seth here.



Johnny and Dora!!
Watch his spot over and over again 
here, here, or here!



On Johnny’s website, 
linked to his retirement statement
Thank YOU, Johnny!



ICYMI: Johnny plans to discuss his personal difficulties just once, 
in an exclusive interview with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush. 
The three-part interview is available at these links:




UPDATE: In response to a rash of erroneous reports in the media, 
Johnny spoke briefly with Access Hollywood again
to set the record straight.




Also on the blog:
“Rise Like a Phoenix”
An exquisite black-and-white series 
of Johnny at rehearsal. 
Exclusive photo © David Ingogly.
Please click twice for larger image.



Johnny’s latest column for the 
Falls Church News-Press.
His columns are published every Thursday 
in the “National Commentary“ 
section—don’t miss a single one! 



A number of Johnny’s auction items 
have been relistedwhich means if you missed out 
the first time around, you’re in luck: 
It’s not too late to own a piece of Weir Gear! 
Go check it out and see what treasures 
you could take home!



Please alert absolutely everyone you’ve ever met 
to “like” and follow the new 
on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr
Because he should be on all the things. 
With or without ice. 
But definitely with Viacheslav.



Please click to vote for Johnny 
once a day as “Best Sportsman”
Because he retweeted Luisa Lotka  to tell us he wants us to! 




Watch bonus clips online anytime on Logo!
Please be sure to check in with GetGlue
anytime you’re watching the show... 
or thinking about watching the show.... 
or wishing you were watching the show....



At last: Pop Star On Ice is now available on DVD!
Order yours today from the Pop Star On Ice website!



Johnny tweeted:
“Buy my single,’Dirty Love’ via iTunes.
Tell all your friends to as well. The more copies sold
takes me one step closer to making a video! №1!”
IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT NEEDS AIR.
You know what to do.
Please buy the song from Johnny’s website,
or just click the “Buy” button on the player at the top of the blog!



Hey, Welcome to My World also is available
as an eBook! More info on Johnny’s website!


copyright 2014 Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved

1 comment:

aaaack said...

This blog posting leaves one with all smiles. Thank you, Binky, Chinese fans, and Elena, for all your magic.