The Best of Binky's Johnny Weir Blog: Artistry on Ice 2015: Four Cities, Five Days, a Thousand Amazing Moments

Johnny in the spotlight as he is introduced to the crowd at Artistry on Ice in Shanghai. Exclusive photo © Joveta Leo.

I am awash in so much Weibo-y goodness that it has taken me forever to figure out where to even start with the glorious madness that is/was (how is it already over??) the Artistry on Ice tour this year.

So today we begin an ongoing series ~~that may not conclude until possibly the next millennia~~ with highlights of the tour as told mostly through outstanding exclusive photos from Joveta Leo, plus fantastic video of each Johnny portion of the show. The best videos came out of the Shanghai show: all HD, and all Johnny-focused. Just the way we like them.

There’s more to come, including airport arrival shots, backstage stuff, and exciting travel moments. But today we get to experience Artistry on Ice as virtual audience members, from the opening group number to the finale, with shots from every city included in each section. And then we can all daydream about maybe someday actually going to see this spectacular tour in person...

Need to skip to the videos ASAP? Click here for the YouTube playlist of every video in this post!

Most of these photos are huuuuuuge. Those without the Weibo watermark are exclusives courtesy of the lovely Joveta.

OPENING GROUP NUMBER

Johnny appears right from the beginning, and is introduced by the announcer at about 02:12.

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Please enjoy this brief bonus clip of Johnny and Stéphane during the opening number in Beijing.

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JOHNNY’S PROGRAMS: CARMEN and EMPRESS

This video includes both of his performances in Shanghai.

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‘EMPRESS’ FROM BEIJING

He delighted the crowds in every city, with one Weibo photographer calling it the “audience’s favorite program” of the whole tour.

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OPENING GROUP NUMBER, 2nd half.

Possibly the most fun one could ever have in a group number.

Joveta explains: “This song is called ‘The First Experience of Love.’ It used to be very popular many years ago, and it is hot again now because of this show.” I love everything about this. Johnny’s partner in this program is Olympian Ksenia Stolbova, a many-medaled Russian pairs skater of whom he wrote on Instagram: “I got to perform and fall in love with one of my skating heroes, the beautiful and talented Olympic champion @ksu_stolbova! ❤️”
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Exclusive bonus clip from the performance in Taipei!

Special thanks to Joveta Leo for this!
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FINALE

I love love love all these flowers for him....

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TAIPEI

BEIJING

From Weibo, but not sure where I found it!

SHANGHAI

BONUS PICS! PRE-SHOW and POST-FINALE: Shenzhen

At which point, after four cities and nearly 3,000 miles of traveling in five days, plus bonus typhoon, everyone is maybe a little loopy.

Johnny and Li Zijun at Shenzhen rehearsal, from her Weibo and Instagram.