Dancing With the Stars Live Rumbas Into the Armory
Two nights ago, I had the absolute joy of attending the Dancing With the Stars Live tour stop at The Armory in Minneapolis. This was my second year seeing the tour, and after how much fun I had last year, I went in with high expectations. Somehow, this show managed to exceed them. For anyone who may be unfamiliar with the franchise, Dancing With the Stars pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers for a televised competition filled with the pros’ choreography, a lot of personality, and plenty of sparkle. Once the TV season wraps, a selection of pros and stars hits the road to perform fan‑favorite dances, new numbers created just for the tour, and a full evening of ballroom magic.
Minneapolis was lucky enough to have Andy Richter as the host for the night, and he was exactly as funny and charming as you’d hope. His monologues had the whole audience laughing, and he even performed one of his dances from the show with his pro partner, Emma Slater. Emma co‑hosted alongside him, and together they kept the crowd fully engaged from start to finish. The professional cast for this stop included Jenna Johnson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Hailey Bills, Britt Stewart, Alan Bersten, Ezra Sosa, Emma Slater, and swing Keaton Kermode. Every single dancer brought incredible technique and charisma to the stage.
While the whole cast was stellar, I was especially excited to see Jenna Johnson. I’ve been a fan of hers since her So You Think You Can Dance Season 10 days back in 2013. I was in middle school at the time, just starting to take dance seriously, and I voted for her every week. Seeing her live almost 13 years later, especially while having the chance to photograph her, felt like a full‑circle moment I never could have imagined back then. To top it all off, she even commented on my Instagram post afterward!
The show itself was paced beautifully, weaving through a wide range of ballroom styles including Rumba, Salsa, and Waltz, each performed with a fresh combination of dancers. There were duets, trios, small group numbers, and big ensemble pieces that filled the stage with energy. The music choices were fantastic, too. Whoever curated the soundtrack deserves serious credit. One of the standout dances early in the night featured Jenna, Val, Daniella, and Pasha performing to Where Is My Husband? by Raye. Because Jenna and Val are married, and Daniella and Pasha are also married, the chemistry in this routine was especially fun to watch.
Midway through the show, the cast added a comedic twist with a detective‑themed segment where the pros humorously “investigated” each other's technique, declaring dancers guilty or innocent depending on whether they executed specific moves correctly. They brought an audience member onstage for this bit, and the fan ended up being absolutely hilarious, making the whole moment even more memorable.
The night wrapped up the same way it began: with the full cast onstage in a high‑energy group routine that had the audience on their feet. It was the perfect finale to a night packed with talent, laughter, and standout performances.
If Dancing With the Stars Live is coming to a city near you, and with their packed tour schedule, there’s a good chance they are, I would wholeheartedly recommend seeing it. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the show or just someone who loves great dancing, it’s an unforgettable experience. Check out their upcoming stops here!
