Austin, it seems your sons and daughters were "Born to be Wild.

Friday, March 16, 2001

Austin, it seems your sons and daughters were "Born to be Wild." Well, at least the members of the Riverside Figure Skating Club were.

At 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, members of the club will entertain parents, friends and other Austin citizens in the 27th annual ice show. The title of this year’s show is "Hard Rock Riverside."

Floating across the ice like a "Spirit in the Sky," advanced students practiced Thursday night, channeling their efforts into perfecting spins and jumps.

In a collaborative effort with club President Michelle Arjes, parents, volunteers and members of the board of directors decorated Riverside Arena with lights, pictures of record albums and a simulated jukebox.

Ranging in age from 4 to 18 years of age and from beginning to advanced levels of skating, children and teens will skate to songs including: "Uptown Girl," "Stairway to Heaven," "China Grove" and "Great Balls of Fire."

Expectations are a guest skater, Jessica Horner from the Rochester Skating Club, will glide across the ice.

Arjes said she expects about 1,500 people to attend. In other words, she said, parents and friends traditionally fill the arena for both performances.

The concession stand will be open to serve pop, popcorn, candy and hot dogs during the event.

Arjes has spent 19 years involved in the various aspects of the club. She started as a skater and is now a parent and the leader of the club.

"I love skating and I want to see it succeed in Austin," she said. The individual nature of the sport builds self-esteem in those who participate, she added.

"For the most part, it’s up to you," Arjes said. Each of the skaters has been trained by one of the five instructors: Chris Nash-Amy, Lori Brakke, Paul Paprocki, Kristina Orlova and student teacher Trista Munk.

Nash-Amy has been an instructor for at least two decades. Brakke, Paprocki and Orlova are from Rochester.

Advanced ticket sales are closed, but tickets can be purchased at the event at a cost of $6 for adults 18 and up, and $4 for kids 6 and up. In addition, the club offers a silver saver card for $10. A fund-raiser for the group, the card gives purchasers special offers at local businesses.

The money raised helps the club defer the costs of using the ice at Riverside. Costs this year have risen 16 percent, Arjes said, mostly because of higher utility costs.

For students who are interested in joining the club, registration to participate in the club is open in early September, Arjes said. Each club member pays a $25 registration fee and lesson costs.

Advanced skater Steph Mohrfeld, who will be skating to three songs, including "Pretty Woman," has spent nine years in the club and said people should come because the ice show is "the best part of the year. It’s fun."

Another advanced student, Stacey Kruger, who is skating to "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics, said skating is "just fun and you get to meet new friends."

She said people should come because "It’s neat to see."

Maggie Johnson, an advanced student, showed she has a "Heart of Rock and Roll" when she joked that falling is fun.

She said one of her mom’s friends had a son who skated in hockey and though he did not think he would like the skating show last year, he really enjoyed it.

"If you don’t think you should come, you should, because it’s fun," Johnson said.

Little Karyn Potach, a second-year student, summed up the reason people should come with one word: "’cause."

Another second-year student, Kayla Gorman, said "we can entertain them and they can see how we do jumps and stuff." She said one day she will "probably go on to the Olympics."

But to get to the Olympics, the club members need to get as much practice time in as possible. Of the city’s decision to pursue a multipurpose building, Arjes said she is pleased.

"We’re excited about a second sheet of ice, whether it’s close or at another site," she said.

The second sheet of ice means the club will be able to offer basic skills lessons more than just on Sunday. Currently the club uses the ice at Riverside for 12.5 hours per week.

For information about the Saturday and Sunday event, call Michelle Arjes at 437-8236.

Call Kevira Mertha at 434-2233 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.