Olympic champion Nastia Liukin, shown here backstage with fellow cast member Courtney Kupets, celebrated her 20th birthday by performing in a gymnastics and skating show, Oct. 30 in Rapid City, S.D.

Produced by Disson Skating, the Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular was filmed and presented live at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, and will air on NBC, Sunday, Jan. 10 from 4-6 p.m. (check local listings).

Steve Disson hired a DJ and threw a party for Nastia at the hotel after the show. "I was so happy to be able to spend [my birthday] with some of my really great friends!" Nastia wrote on her website.

Shawn Johnson was also part of the all-star cast, which included Ivan Ivankov, Raj Bhavsar, Jonathan Horton, Charlie Tamayo, Paul and Morgan Hamm, and acro Mixed Pair extraordinaire Arthur Davis and Shenea Booth.

The skating cast featured Michael Weiss — whose father, Greg Weiss, was a member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic gymnastics team, which placed seventh — Todd Eldredge, Elvis Stojko and Emily Hughes among others.

Actress-singer Ashley Tisdale performed "Crank It Up" live for the show's opening (link below).

Announcing the show were Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci, Peggy Fleming and Nastia. IG Publisher Paul Ziert produced the gymnastics portion of the show, with choreography by Adriana Pop.

External Link: Progressive Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular Opening

Comments (4)

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SIM said:

	... I THINK ... NASTIA AND SHAWN RETIRE OF SPORT BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKE OTHERS ACTIVITIES. THIS SPORT IS OF FULL TIME OR ALL TIME,THEY NOT ARE STAY AT THE GYM .
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January 06, 2010
Votes: +0

GymansticsFan said:

	... What is with your obsessive attachment to the Liukin's with IG? I realize you promote your owners endevors but this is getting ridiculous. I think I am done subscribing to this mag when my subscription is up. I can't take it anymore.
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January 06, 2010
Votes: +3

Kristina said:

	... You know I really miss the "Rock N Roll Gymnastics"....they need to do that again!!!!
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January 09, 2010
Votes: +2

Jackie S. said:

Progressive gymnastics and skating spectacular This skating and gymnastics show was the poorest i have seen by far. If i wanted to see a live concert by ashley t., then i would go to one. I wanted to see our athletes perform the sports that they love, and the level was just so low and the performances so few and far between due to the live music stealing the show. There were also way to many blatant product endorsements. A VERY disappointing show.

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January 12, 2010 | url
Votes: +6

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