Derek Hough has a date with Minneapolis fans before the next round of 'Dancing With the Stars'

The Emmy-winning choreographer is bringing "Symphony of Dance" to the Twin Cities.

October 24, 2023 at 12:30PM
DANCING WITH THE STARS - ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" stars Derek Hough. (ABC/Adrienne Raquel)
Dancer-turned-judge Derek Hough will feature an array of styles in his “Symphony of Dance” at Minneapolis’ State Theatre on Monday. (Adrienne Raquel, ABC/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Derek Hough has won a record-breaking six Mirror Balls on "Dancing With the Stars," headlined a West End production of "Footloose" and led several national tours, including "Symphony of Dance" that visits Minneapolis on Monday.

So you might have thought that his wedding in August would have been a high-kicking affair, rivaling any number from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."

But Hough and his bride, "Stars" veteran Hayley Erbert, went the other way.

"We didn't want to perform at our own wedding," Hough said earlier this month in a Zoom interview from his tour bus, just outside of Boise, Idaho.

After a humble ceremony in a redwood forest in California's Monterey County, the newlyweds commandeered a 100-year-old barn and swayed alone to Forest Blakk's "Fall Into Me." After a few moments of quiet time, guests filed through giant doors and joined the party.

Those who didn't get an invite to the nuptials can experience the next best thing next week. The couple will re-create that magic moment during "Symphony of Dance," a performance that includes a live band, comedy and a special contribution from buddy Michael Bublé.

"It's probably my favorite show I've ever been a part of, at least on tour," said Hough, who went straight from his Italy honeymoon to 15-hour-a-day rehearsals to prepare for the 60-city production.

If that weren't enough, Hough flies into Los Angeles every Tuesday to fulfill his duties as a judge on "Dancing With the Stars," now in its 32nd season.

"It's all about momentum," he said when asked about his whirlwind schedule. "Once you are up and moving, it feeds into the next thing."

"DWTS" certainly has a special place in Hough's heart. He was just 22 when he joined his sister Julianne Hough as a professional on the ABC series, which airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Despite his youth, he quickly established himself as a champion. Brooke Burke, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, Kellie Pickler, Amber Riley and Bindi Irwin all claimed victory with him as a partner.

"In my early seasons, I had to earn their trust. They were thinking, 'Who is this 12-year-old kid?'" said Hough, who is now 38. "What makes a good pro on the show is someone who is there for the celebrity, makes the right song choices, picks the choreography that helps them look their best. You have to learn how to be a mentor and get them onstage when they are paralyzed by nerves. Putting yourself out there, doing something you're not used to doing, is a big deal."

Despite his long association with the series, he can still get thrown for a loop. This season's early ouster of Jamie Lynn Spears was one of the biggest surprises in the show's history.

"It can be bonkers, it can be baffling," he said. "That's part of the joy of it."

Hough, who has won three Emmys for his choreography, is not quite as famous as his sister, who is hosting "DWTS" this season alongside Alfonso Ribeiro. But he had enough clout to help Jennifer Lopez launch "World of Dance," which ran on NBC for four seasons, and snag a recurring role on ABC's "Nashville."

When a fire alarm went off at intermission during a recent show in Spokane, Wash., the audience had to evacuate the theater. Hough joined them outside for selfies, causing a fan frenzy.

"When I was a kid, I was bullied and teased for being a dancer. The ballroom world was very small," he said. "Now, I go to a basketball game and there will a dude with a beer in his hand saying, 'Yo, that paso doble was amazing' or 'That cha cha cha was so good.' I don't think 15 years ago that guy would be talking to me about a paso doble.

'Symphony of Dance'

When: 7 p.m. Mon.

Where: State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.

Tickets: $50-$100. hennepintheatretrust.org.

about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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