The F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre welcomes performers from our space and past. Every 12 months, the Kirby hosts the Dancing Stars of Wilkes-Barre. Community leaders and native celebrities commerce their day jobs for dancing footwear to elevate cash for the KISS Theatre Company.
On Wednesday, July 29, this exact same stage will belong to certainly one of ballroom’s greatest stars: six-time Dancing with the Stars champion and Emmy Award winner, Derek Hough. Derek is holds the document for many choreography nominations in Television Academy historical past.
Newswatch 16’s Jeremy Lewan sat down with Derek over Zoom whereas he was backstage earlier than certainly one of his reveals right here in the northeast.
Derek gleamed, “It’s really special. The show is just so special.”
Derek’s present—known as Symphony of Dance: Encore—is a high-energy reside stage present. It incorporates a mix of dance kinds—together with ballroom, salsa, hip-hop, and up to date—set to quite a lot of music.
In his interview with Derek, Jeremy stated, “I’m so glad that you get to have that encore. I know you call it Symphony of Dance: Encore because it’s the second time you’re having this tour. What makes this one different from the last time? If people came out and saw you last time what is there to see new?”
Derek answered, “Well, what’s been really cool is I’ve seen people who are like I’ve seen this show five times and this is the best version I’ve ever seen.”
He went on, “A lot of comedy, a lot of fun. But there’s also a lot of heart in this show. This show has a lot of heart. And it’s very emotional. I get very vulnerable in it and it takes you on a ride.”
Derek’s coronary heart is tied to the present: he had a giant hand in the choreography of the present, and likewise stars in it.
Derek defined, “New routines and new songs, that I’ve added, including one that I wrote! A song about being a judge on Dancing with the Stars, where I’m singing. I have somebody come up on stage and be a guest judge with me.”
Among the solid of supporting dancers is his spouse, Hayley, who, about 3 years in the past, had a near-fatal mind harm.
Derek beamed with satisfaction, “Not only after her injury and how she overcame that with resilience and courage, but now even too, being a mom—6 months post-partum—out there dancing on stage and for me it’s a reminder of how fortunate and how thankful I am that I get to share that stage with her.”
And new dad Derek is experiencing his daughter’s firsts proper on tour.
He smiled, “And then to have my daughter on the road, oh my GOSH! It’s the best! It’s the best.”
One of some ways Derek units himself aside as a performer is how he values his followers.
Jeremy, a long-time fan himself, has adopted Derek on Instagram since he was 14. Keeping up with his posts, he stated to Derek, “I know you have meet and greets beforehand and you even come out of the show and dance with people and give them roses based upon how well they’re dancing with you, right? So, in Wilkes-Barre, can our audience expect to see you beforehand and see you after, the same way you have done with other shows?”
Derek responded, “Absolutely. And then even after the show, you know after I do my ice bath, you know I go out there and see whoever’s out there and take my time with them because again, that’s what it’s all about. It’s all about connection.”
The Symphony of Dance: Encore will hit the Kirby Center on Wednesday at 8PM. Looking to snag tickets? Visit the web site here.
