World Class Skaters Yuzuru Hanyu and Jeffrey Buttle Announced as Headliners for the Mariposa Charity Figure Skating Gala 2012

Online, July 27, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The 23rd Annual Mariposa Charity Figure Skating Gala is pleased to announce Yuzuru Hanyu and Jeffrey Buttle as this year's headliners scheduled to perform on Friday, August 10th at the Barrie Molson Centre at 7 p.m.

Yuzuru Hanyu is this year's newest addition to the Gala and is well-known to have mastered the complex triple axel and quadruple toe-triple axel jumps. His accomplishments include being named the 2012 bronze medal World Champion, a silver medal in the 2011 Four Continents competition, as well as the title of 2009-10 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion.

Hanyu is a two-time Japanese Junior National Champion, earning him a spot on the Japanese team for the 2012 World Championships, and making it his first senior World Championship. Hanyu is coached by Brian Orser; former Olympic Medalist, Canadian Champion and a student of the Mariposa School of Skating. Orser has also performed in past Mariposa Charity Figure Skating Galas.

Jeffrey Buttle is a returning headliner to this year's Gala. A student of the Mariposa School of Skating, he announced his retirement from competitive skating in 2008. His most noted awards are a bronze medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics and the title of World Champion in 2008, making him the first Canadian male figure skater to win the title since Elvis Stojko in 1997. He now spends his time choreographing and skating in shows, such as Stars on Ice, as well as appearing in a variety of other charity events.

"We have an amazing lineup of figure skaters," explains Garry Morgan, Director of the Mariposa Gala Committee, "we are certainly looking forward to seeing the young talent of Yuzuru, as well as welcoming back some familiar and other new faces to the Gala. In the past, we've had previous World Champions such as Brian Orser, Sale and Pelletier, Bourne and Kratz, Elvis Stojko and Kurt Browning, just to name a few."

The Mariposa Gala is presented by the collaborative efforts of The Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia and The Mariposa School of Skating as a means to raise funds for local charities, namely the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation "Rotary House". The Rotary House provides a temporary home for families of those who are undergoing cancer treatment at Royal Victoria Hospital's new Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre.

The Mariposa Gala has evolved into one of Barrie's highest grossing charity events, and a leading figure skating event. In the past 22 years, the Gala has successfully raised over $1.2 million in charitable donations.

"The Gala is also announcing that it is now offering the general public, as well as continuing invitations to companies, the chance to watch the event seated at tables set upon the ice for $75 per seat, or $450 for a table of six. This opportunity also includes a Post-Show event to socialize and mingle with the skaters," Morgan adds.

Tickets are available to purchase at $35 for regular Adult admission or $25 for seniors 60+ or students 16 and under. To purchase tickets online, visit The Mariposa Gala's website at www.mariposagala.info, or call Ticketpro at 1-888-655-9090.

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Contacts:

Garry Morgan
Director of the Mariposa Gala Committee
Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia
P.O. Box 157, Barrie, ON, L4M 4T2
705-828-4966
[email protected]
www.huroniarotary.org

Susanne Morgan
Mariposa School of Skating
190 Bayview Drive, Barrie, ON, L4N 4Y8
(705) 721-1223
[email protected]
www.skatemariposa.com

Ann Barker
Director of Operations and Business Development
Ticketpro Canada
35 Grand Place, Barrie, ON, L4N 4Y3
416-800-0854 | TOLL FREE: 877-820-0854
[email protected]
www.ticketpro.ca

The Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia is a member-based organization made up of business owners and community leaders located throughout Barrie and area. Their role is to volunteer their time and efforts towards bettering the lives of the city's citizens. Major community service projects include the RVH Rotary House, Hospice-Simcoe, and the Georgian College Wellness Centre.

The Mariposa School of Skating was founded by Doug Leigh and Tom Harrison in 1973. Originally located in Orillia, Ontario, the school relocated to Barrie in 1988. The school teaches and trains those who have a passion for figure skating, including Jeffrey Buttle. The Mariposa School of Skating also organizes their annual Mariposa School of Skating Charity Golf Tournament that also includes appearances by former figure skating champions. All proceeds raised from this tournament support the Alzheimer Society of Great Simcoe County that helps better needed programs and services for those diagnosed with Alzheimer and the caregivers.

The Annual Mariposa Charity Figure Skating Gala is a collaborative effort between The Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia and The Mariposa School of Skating. Doug Leigh, founder of The Mariposa School of Skating approached The Rotary Club back in 1989 to create a figure skating event of former champions who volunteer their time to this event. The Gala raises proceeds to support local charities, such as the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation "Rotary House". Some figure skaters that have performed in the Gala include Jeffrey Buttle, Marie-France Dubreill & Patrick Lauzon, Lesley Hawker, Steve Cousins, and many more.