Dancer Derek Hough takes a spin on Strip
THE world comes to Las Vegas, and that includes “World of Dance.” That’s the title of one of Derek Hough’s network TV dance shows, for which he was a judge for three years ending in 2020. He’s also a champion pro dancer on “Dancing With the Stars.” Hough has claimed a half-dozen titles dating to 2007, most recently winning with Bindi Irwin on Season 15 in 2015.
In 2000, the three-time Emmy Award winner for choreography moved to the show’s judging panel. In short, he knows the dance floor.
Hough is now fronting his own stage show on the
Strip, opening “No Limit” on Wednesday at The Summit Showroom at The Venetian.
The show’s first run is through Sunday. “No Limit” continues Sept. 29 and 30, then select dates in October and November.
“No Limit” was originally slated for 2020 in the Flamingo Showroom, but KO’D by the COVID shutdown. Hough’s production found scheduling flexibility at the former Sands Showroom. He’s also sharing the stage with his girlfriend, Hayley Erbert, herself a pro on “DWTS.”
“This past year, in COVID, we have been dancing a lot together,” Hough said in a recent phone interview. “And you know, we don’t want to be away from each other. We just love doing this together. She’s a phenomenal dancer, so it only makes sense.”
Hough’s show in the former Sands Showroom will cover all variety of dance (but hopefully not “Chicken”), ranging from jazz to salsa to ballroom to hiphop. Hough and his six backing dancers will groove to Motown, jazz, rock ’n’ roll, classical. He’s brought in a live band, too, which is a genuine luxury in a dance show that could run fully tracked.
“I love live music and having musicians onstage,” Hough said. “It’s just, when you feel the drums, you feel that saxophone solo, it adds so much to the performance. You’re going to have fun just because the music is so fun.”
Hough’s family is steeped in dance tradition. Las Vegas entertainment types recall that his younger sister, Julianne, attended Las Vegas Academy (Derek did not as he was studying dance in London). In 2014, the two teamed on “Move Live on Tour,” spreading the spirit of dance to 50 cities. They continued touring in 2015 and 2017, making nearly 150 stops. Derek Hough toured solo in 2019 for 60 more performances.
The takeaway: The dance pro says anyone can dance. Or, rather, anyone should enjoy dancing, regardless of aptitude.
But what if you have absolutely no rhythm? Asking for a friend …
“You can move your body, so have fun with it. That’s what is great about this show. It’s for everyone, and it will make you want to move,” Hough said. “The way this room is set up, you’ll feel like you’re on the same level as the dancers. It’s going to be really exciting, lots of bells and whistles, lots of energy.” As they say, the dance floor is open.
After-life
Megan Thee Stallion hosting the official Life is Beautiful after-party at Marquee Nightclub was expected.
Her performance from the DJ booth was not.
The rap star took to center stage at the club at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Saturday, performing “Savage,” “WAP” and “Freak Nasty.” Stallion and Dua Lipa were taking in a set by DJ Justin Credible (and big ups for his great stage name) when the unbilled performance was unleashed.
Sunday, Rihanna was in the club for its Full Bloom Sundays party. She was in a group of a half-dozen revelers for Nora En Pure’s set.
Saturday night, Trey Songz attended resident headliner Pauly D’s DJ set.
Across the Strip, Wynn Las Vegas was percolating with celebs throughout the weekend.
Actress, singer and social media phenom Bella Thorne was at XS Nightclub on Saturday night. She was in the middle of the scene with six friends, including fiance Benjamin Mascolo. Thorne grooved to resident electronic duo headliners The Chainsmokers. Thorne left about 4:30 a.m., barely beating sunrise.
Earlier Saturday, “The Bachelorette” co-host Tayshia Adams and fiance Zac Clark made their first (of many, we expect) red carpet appearances at the iheartradiomusic Festival at T-mobile Arena. Adams then ventured to the new Casa Playa restaurant and nightspot at Encore and later to The Chainsmokers show at XS.
Wynn resident headliner Alesso , DJ Martin Garrix and Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi were also spotted at XS. Saturday afternoon at Encore Beach Club,
J Balvin turned in a pop-up performance with Jhay Cortez, headlining as part of a Mexican Independence Weekend celebration.
Cool Hang Alert
Journey and Chicago just finished playing their respective shows at the iheartradio-music Festival and Venetian Theater. But you can still catch musicians from both bands, and Rascal Flatts, when Generation Radio plays the Fremont Street Experience’s Downtown Rocks concert series.
Deen Castronovo of Journey, Jason Sheff of Chicago and Jay Demarcus of Rascal Flatts hit the stage at 9 p.m. Saturday. No cover. That’s where the “free” applies. No place rocks like FSE, believe it.
The Review-journal is owned by the family of Dr. Miriam Adelson, the majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corp., which operates The Venetian.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section.
His “Podkats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal. com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.