Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend and the reimagined Summer Nights event about to begin, Turn It Up! recently opened in the Moroccan Palace Theater at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Turn It Up! replaces Iceploration, which was the main season show in the theater from February 2012 until April of this year.

Turn It Up! is billed by the park as an “all-new, original ice show vibrantly celebrates summer with contemporary performances, aerial moments and eclectic pop music.” Along with the fast paced ice skating, an impressive lighting package and set design makes the new show visually exciting.

Unlike its predecessor, Turn It Up! does not have a main story line, nor does it feature any speaking roles or animals. For fans of that style of show, Turn It Up! may be received as a lesser quality production. But Turn It Up! isn’t meant to be a large scale production like Iceploration was, and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it puts the focus on a very popular part of previous shows – the ice skating – and turns up the dial on the energy and catchiness by using popular songs.

This new show succeeds at what it aims to do – be a fun, upbeat, and energetic performance that wows the audience with exceptional skating. Many familiar faces from Iceploration have returned, and along with several new skaters, they all show remarkable talent.

Turn It Up! is performed several times daily, and runs approximately 22 minutes. Doors to the theater open about 30 minutes prior to showtime, and it’s recommended you arrive early for the best seating.

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Special thanks to photographer Matt Hopkins for many of the images used in this article.

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