Holiday Program Highlights Include Performance Featuring Pride on Ice and Nancy Kerrigan
November 21, 2019
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Providence Parks Superintendent Wendy Nilsson, Director of the Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism Stephanie Fortunato, Director of the Mayor’s Center for City Services and RI Pride Board Member Joe Lazzerini, BankNewport Executive Vice President and Director of Employee and Community Engagement Wendy Kagan, Providence Rink Manager Brant Gawrys and community members to announce the renaming of the BankNewport City Center, formerly the Alex & Ani City Center, and the opening of the Providence Rink for the 2019-2020 winter season.
“Providence is growing as a regional and global destination due to our thriving culinary scene, historic architecture, vibrant arts community, and range of free and family-friendly activities,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “Whether you live in Providence or are just visiting, the Creative Capital offers something for families and people of all ages to enjoy.”
Weather permitting, the rink will be open for ice skating daily between the hours of 10:00AM to 10:00PM. General admission for ice skating is $7 for adults and $4 for seniors, children under 12 and military veterans. Ice skate rentals are $7 (tax included) per person. Season passes are $90 for adults, $250 for families of four and $50 for children, seniors and military. Special rates are available for birthdays, school groups, business, and social groups, and for full ice rentals. Visit theprovidencerink.com for details.
“This truly is one of the happiest times of the year, and the opening of the Providence Rink is the kick-off to the start of our holiday season,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Providence is truly a special place and attractions like our rink, our shopping districts, and our amazing culinary scene make us a top destination for many. I look forward to bringing my family to the rink for some winter fun!”
Ice bumper cars will be available Monday- Friday from 4:00PM to 8:00PM and weekends from 10:00AM through 2:00PM at a cost of $12 per person for 15 minutes. Providence residents can receive a 15% discount at the Providence Rink through the City’s municipal identification card system, IDPVD, as well as at participating businesses and attractions.
“The opportunity to have BankNewport’s brand presence in downtown Providence is the perfect complement to our entry into the Providence metro and statewide markets,” stated BankNewport President and CEO, Sandra J. Pattie. “The BankNewport City Center will continue to play an integral role in the heart of the City’s cultural downtown. It’s a space where our community gathers for all kinds of events, programs, and celebrations, and we look forward to the benefits this new partnership will bring to BankNewport, the City of Providence and our neighbors across Rhode Island.”
President Pattie added, “Today’s City Center announcement caps off BankNewport’s 200th anniversary year, celebrating this milestone over the past year with our customers, employees, nonprofits, and communities. With community commitment at the foundation of the Bank’s mission, we will continue our role as a true community bank, partner and neighbor to serve new generations of families and businesses throughout our State.”
City of Providence residents can receive free admission to the Providence Rink during the first Saturday of each month. Skate rental fee of $7 (tax included) is applicable and residents must bring valid identification or IDPVD. College students can also enjoy a $5 discounted admission every Wednesday from 6:00PM until 10:00PM a valid college photo ID.
“The BankNewport City Center has become a year-round destination in the heart of our DownCity arts and entertainment district,” said Stephanie Fortunato, Director of the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism. “Our annual Winter Lights Market and downtown tree lighting ceremonies are a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit offering dazzling skating shows and performance as well as cozy, winter family activities.”
As part of the annual Winter Lights Market programming, the Providence Rink will host the 3rd annual “Pride on Ice” and toy drive on Friday, December 6th from 7:00PM to 10:00PM in partnership with the City’s Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, BankNewport and Rhode Island Pride. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to benefit the children and families of Family Service of Rhode Island in exchange for free entry to the Providence Rink with any paid skate rental. Starting at 9:00PM, American Drag Performer, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 and All Stars Season 3 contestant MILK and skating partner Christopher Erwin will perform two different fabulous numbers on ice. For more information visit Rhode Island Pride’s website.
“Providence is an inclusive and thriving City and there is no better place to celebrate the holidays than at the BankNewport City Center for Pride on Ice,” said Joe Lazzerini, Director of the Mayor’s Center for City Services and Rhode Island Pride Board Member. “We also encourage all to join us in the spirit of giving by donating an unwrapped toy to help Rhode Island Pride provide many families joy this year with the gifts we receive.”
In addition to Friday night’s activities, the rink is hosting a “Tree Lighting Skating Exhibition” to be held at the BankNewport City Center on Saturday, December 7th from 12:00PM to 9:00PM. Guests will be able to enjoy free, family-friendly activities, music and local culinary treats after which the Providence Rink will host an unprecedented holiday figure skating showcase beginning at 6:00PM. This year’s 60-miniute performance is produced by Sarah DiNardo and Brad Vigorito and will feature an inspiring group of Olympic figure skating medalists hosted by two-time Olympic medalist and sports icon Nancy Kerrigan and performances by 2018 National Silver Medalist Ross Miner, 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist Ashley Wagner, as well as Rhode Island’s very own 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist Marissa Castelli. The Olympians will also be joined by a cast of local, regional, sectional, national, and international medalists World Theatre on Ice Medalists, Ocean State Ice Theatre, and National Synchronized Competitors, the Ocean Blades.
“This event means so much to Sarah and me,” said figure skating coach and producer Brad Vigorito. “We skated in the opening ceremonies of the rink back in 1998 so the rink holds a lot of importance to us. All these years later, to be producing shows here and bring in such diverse and amazing talent to the city of Providence means the world to us. Our careers in the sport have come full circle.”
The event is sanctioned by US Figure Skating and hosted by the City of Providence and the Pawtucket and Providence Figure Skating Club.