Verizon Center hosts “Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic” celebration..
By John Arundel
Minnie Mouse and the Fairy Godmother. (Photo: Leigh Caldwell)
Well, as it turns out, It’s not just about the tiaras and the crowns…
Disney On Ice celebrated 100 Years of Magic on ice on Feb. 15, as five of DC’s most celebrated chefs kicked off the show’s DC run at the Verizon Center with a private reception on opening night, with an exclusive “Disney Dish” inspired competition by one of Disney’s classic adventures from the past 100 years.
Mike Isabella, the chef and owner of Graffiato, and a runner-up from Top Chef’s All-Stars, won the Disney Dishes competition with his “Pooh’s Lost Honey Jar” creation, a sweet walnut honey cake with apple butter. Every component of Isabella’s dish incorporated honey, satisfying even Pooh bear’s endless quest for the sweet treat.
Other Chinatown/Penn Quarter-based chefs included Fabio Trabocchi, the chef-Partner of Fiola, Michel Richard, the Owner and Chef at Citronelle, Central, Michel at the Ritz Carlton and Meatballs, Tim Horst, the executive chef at Rosa Mexicana, and Chie Korn Chow, the Corporate Chef at Ping Pong Dim Sum.
The Disney Dishes celebrity judges included Tommy McFly of Fresh FM, Nycci Nellis, TheListAreYouOnIt and Foodie & the Beast and Brian MacNair of DC Central Kitchen.
Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Magic combines Disney’s best-known children’s stories over the past century. The production features the largest cast ever assembled of Disney stars, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket to Stitch, Nemo and the Incredibles.
During the show, there were also a few memorable moments from Disney’s Mulan and The Lion King, set to choreographed figure skating to the Academy Award-winning songs “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Under the Sea,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
The show packs up on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Tickets for President’s Day Weekend’s engagement range from $20 (Club Concourse) to $75 (front row).
Other notables who stopped by the Verizon Center included ABC News‘ White House Correspondent Jake Tapper and his kids, NBC 4‘s Eun Yang and her kids, Maria Trabocchi, the wife of Fiola’s head chef, Cathy Merrill Williams, Publisher of The Washingtonian, and Monica Sakala, chief blogger from Wired Momma/DC Moms.
Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets via charge, by phone at 800-551-SEAT, via www.ticketmaster.com and at the Verizon Center box office.
Belle and the Beast. (Photo: Leigh Caldwell)
Aladin's performance for Dinsney on Ice. (Photo: Rojer)
