Friday, September 12, 2014

Bold Beauty: Bollywood Revisited

Johnny during his Bollywood performance 
in Sun Valley, in a moment that completely captures 
the sensual essence of this exotic program.
Exclusive photo © David Ingogly.



35+ new all-exclusive photos 
from Sun Valley below!!

Plus: NEW exclusive video!
And even more Johnny news!



UPDATE!! Full video below 
of Johnny’s appearance 
on Japanese TV!



Get your tickets ASAP!! Johnny will be performing
in An Evening With Champions, hosted 
at Harvard University’s Bright Hockey Center 
in Boston, MA, September 19 and 20! 
This annual charity show is a fundraiser for 
the Jimmy Fund of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 
Yes, VIP tickets are available, which include 
admission to a meet-n-greet with the skaters. 
East Coast fans: don’t miss this one! 
Show and ticket info here.



NEW!! Premiere date announced 
Johnny stars with other celebrity teachers
in partnership with NYC’s Beekman School to help 
turn around the lives of 15 teens who had dropped out 
of conventional high school. Set those DVRs, 
while we wait for the premiere!



Premiering October 29!! 
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.
More info here and on the EPIX website.
New photo via Johnny’s Instagram!



NEW!! Snow King Sneak Peek! 
ticket sales have commenced, and now we have glimpse
behind the scenes at Evgeni Plushenko’s amazing production
of “an enchanting fairy tale on ice for the whole family.” 
The show is based on an adaptation of 
Hans Christian Andersen’s story, The Snow Queen, 
with Johnny playing the role of Kai. 
So excited for this!!

Special thanks to Elena Vasileva 
for making this available on YouTube!!
Video link.




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.



Oh hai!

Yes, I’m still here. Although you wouldn’t know it from all the dust and cobwebs gathering in this little corner of the Internet. I have been forced to neglect this beautiful space badly the past two weeks due to an amazing amount of unforeseen annoyances that cascaded into my life like some kind of Niagara Falls of Epic Fail, but yay I have finally managed to surface just in time to note that there is a whole lot of Johnnyness headed our way in the upcoming weeks (see above), which is just the sort of life preserver I was hoping to find bobbing here among the bullshit.

In addition to the announcements above, we also have two late-breaking news flashes. First up: He’s appearing in a Japanese TV program TOMORROW at 7 pm JST, or 6 am EDT / 5 am CDT! No word on a livestream, but we’re all hoping someone in Japan will take pity on the rest of us and upload a recording of this thing to YouTube ASAP, which IDEK what “ASAP” means across a zillion time zones other than that maybe it’ll already be here before it starts. Thus far we have two adorable preview pics via the TBS Facebook page:






UPDATE!! Yes, we have video of the 
entire Johnny segment from the program, 
thanks to the lovely Elena Vasileva!
Video link.



And secondly, this item just popped up on Johnny’s official Events page:



So this is kind of a BFD.

From the Uprising of Love website:

On Monday, September 15th, as the world converges upon New York City for the United Nations General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative, Executive Producers Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin) and Bruce Cohen (American Beauty, Milk, Silver Linings Playbook) will present Uprising of Love: A Benefit Concert for Global Equality at Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre (222 West 51st Street).

Featuring performances by 16-time Grammy Award-winner Sting and two-time Tony Award and two-time Grammy Award-winner Patti LuPone, and in strategic partnership with the United Nations Foundation, this event strives to support the efforts of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN’s Free & Equal campaign in calling for equal rights globally for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals, and to raise significant funding for grassroots organizations and activists working toward that goal around the world.

The net proceeds of this event will go directly to Fueling the Frontlines, a three-year, $20 million campaign for global LGBTI rights led by the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. Astraea is the only philanthropic organization in the United States solely dedicated to advancing LGBTI rights globally.

IDK if he’s speaking at this event or just appearing, but wow: that’s one powerhouse group of people. I’ve also heard a rumor that clips of Johnny’s documentary, To Russia With Love, may be featured at the concert.

Tickets are still available, so if you’re in the area, get some and GO!

In the meantime, please spend the weekend enjoying the newest picspam series from the neverending treasure trove that was Sun Valley....



Sun Valley: 
Bollywood

I had been dying to see this program ever since Johnny first debuted it in Japan, so I was thrilled to learn that it would be one of two pieces he was performing in Sun Valley. Of course we’ve all enjoyed countless videos of this program from the Artistry on Ice tour, but as we all know, nothing compares to seeing Johnny perform live.

I was also curious to see how such an international piece would play in Idaho. While the Sun Valley audience includes guests from all over, it’s a very casual place in that uniquely American West way, where it’s not every day you see a man or a performer like Johnny. In fact, that pretty much only happens there once or twice a year, when Johnny arrives.

And now a moment of unbridled honesty: Sun Valley features some very talented skaters.

But the moment Johnny steps onto the ice, it’s suddenly very clear that we’re witnessing something in another league altogether.

Of course his name and reputation precede him, which partially accounts for the sudden hush that always falls on the crowd after the roaring when he is announced, and before he begins to skate.

And right from the start, he had them.

After about the first ten seconds, even the drunk guy next to me stopped his restless squirming and loud, joke-y commentary and just sat immobile, transfixed, beer cup completely forgotten in his hand.

I had thought a Bollywood-inspired piece might be out of reach for this venue, something to which many couldn’t connect.

The thunderous applause—the loudest of the night, until his Human program—and cacophony of whistling and screaming when Johnny struck his final pose proved me most ridiculously and happily wrong.



Please click any photo twice for the full-size image. Nearly all of these are huge and exquisitely detailed. They may take a moment to load, but, as always, are well worth the wait.



Johnny acknowledges the cheers of the crowd 
as he makes his first appearance of the evening.






























The first of two gorgeous jumps.



Absolutely one of my favorite photos ever 
from this program.













































Just as breathtaking the second time.




































He seems pleased with his performance 
and the audience’s reaction. As he should be.



Final bow.



Video!! Special thanks to Anastasia Pryanikova 
for recording this for all of us!
Video link.



Bonus pics!! (And they’re huuuuge...!) 
More from Johnny’s charity event last month 
for the 49ers Academy. Here he’s with Dwight Clark 
of the San Francisco 49ers organization....


...and here he’s towered over by NHL star Bret Hedican. 
Both photos via Red Carpet SF.



And one more.
Exclusive photo © David Ingogly.
Instagrammed by Johnny here.
Please do click twice for stunning full-size image.



Exclusive Sun Valley photos © David Ingogly.



ICYMI: To Stand in a Ray of Sunlight.”
Gorgeous sun-drenched photos 
of Johnny at rehearsal in Sun Valley, 
plus exclusive video of his practice.



Human.”
The US debut of Johnny’s stunning 
and hauntingly beautiful new program.
Selected exclusive photos, 
plus exclusive HD video.



Be Gorgeous Without Your Pants.”
50+ Artistry on Ice pics plus all-new videos, 
including Beijing and Guangzhou
press conferences!



Magic Becomes Art...
60+ spectacular pics from Shanghai,
including the most beautiful 
“Concubine” series yet.

Stunning fan art by 
@glace_icywaterdri on Weibo. 



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 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 on Thursdays 
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 2013 / Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Binky said in the post, "witnessing something in another league altogether" in reference to Johnny's performance. I heard several people say that... and it is notable that there were other high level skaters skating, and yet the lines, the footwork, the spins, everything was so clearly just "more". Both performances were mesmerizing. It was clear that we were in the presence of greatness, and I for one appreciated the opportunity to witness such talent in a small and informal venue. It was a rare treat, Thank You Johnny Weir, you are amazing! Great pictures Davey! Thanks for posting, Binky!

WheresMyKoppy said...

'Oh, hai!' You're so funny, MM! There is so much great video and photos out there. We thank you again for your commentary and for pulling it all together and finding all this stuff! I wouldn't know what's going on half the time if it wasn't for you! Thanks to you, David and all the rest who help!

aaaack said...

Wow. Thank you! We're all permanently indebted to you, Binky.