Dancing with the Stars tour kicks off in San Diego

Dancing Stars live!
Joel D Amos

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Cheryl Burke and the Dancing with the Stars tour kicked off in San Diego. SheKnows was in the middle of the live Dancing with the Stars action.

Dancing with the Stars tour hits the roadHost Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris welcomed the audiences via the three enormous video screens. Then, led by Burke, the entire Dancing with the Stars tour cast strutted on stage to thunderous applause. After the first number, Lance Bass took the microphone and set the tone for the evening in terms of emcee duties.

Toni Braxton and her partner, Alec Mazo, dazzled to Santana’s Smooth. Braxton and Mazo entertained the  thousands with Dancing with the Stars moves seen in living rooms all fall that were now live and in person.

The stage mirrored the Dancing with the Stars set audiences adore on TV. A black dance floor greeted Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Burke, Derek Hough and the six other professional dancers, who proved to be the true stars of the night.

Watching professional dance is nothing less than a gift. Seeing it performed at its highest level is beyond human. The Dancing with the Stars professionals on the 2008 tour are flawless. Led by Maksim, Burke, Derek Hough, Edtya Sliwinska, Kym Johnson, Lacey Schwimmer and Karina Smirnoff,  their crisp execution of choreography challenging, engaging and jaw-dropping.

Edtya, in particular of the professionals, shines. Her lines were perfect, passion explosive, and above all, showmanship beyond compare on the Dancing with the Stars stage. Whether paired with Maksim on ABC or commanding the stage on her own live, Edtya’s performance proved she is a dancer in search of a star capable of getting this impeccable dancer the Dancing with the Stars disco ball trophy.

Maksim strikes a Dancing with the Stars poseFrank Sinatra’s Fly Me To the Moon provided one of Dancing with the Stars tour's most unforgettable moments. Dressed in retro airline captain and stewardess outfits, the professional Dancing with the Stars crew made flying the friendly skies the picture of cool.

Each Dancing with the Stars season seven pair danced together and after completing their greatest set, grabbed the microphone and gabbed with the crowd. Especially effective in this capacity was Lance Bass, Toni Braxton, dancers Cheryl Burke and Maksim, as well as Burke’s partner, Maurice Greene.

The live band from the show sits beneath the stage the dancers command. Performing current hits including Pink’s So What and Beyonce’s Single Ladies, the Dancing with the Stars tour is current on so many levels. It was only yesterday that these dancers were performing for millions on ABC each week.

Costuming is another facet of the Dancing with the Stars experience that has made the ABC show an enormous hit over seven seasons. The Dancing with the Stars tour does not disappoint in that capacity either. Burke and Green’s Rock Around the Clock garb jumped off the stage.

As the dance sets transgressed from one another, costume changes were seamless as the director of the Dancing with the Stars tour knew exactly what they were doing when orchestrating a live version of a televised reality TV hit.

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About the author: Joel D Amos is a San Diego-based writer, and the Entertainment Editor here at SheKnows. He has interviewed numerous celebrities, including Rachel McAdams, Megan Fox, Meg Ryan, Reese Witherspoon, Christina Ricci, Jessica Simpson, Sheryl Crow, Eva Mendes, Timbaland and Twilight author Stephenie Meyer.


Comments
By Vicky Dec 19, 2008

My absolute favorite is Cheryl,she was the reason i got into dancing and watching the show. When you thought of DWTS, the first thing comes to your mind is Cheryl.I am glad to know that she changed her mind and decided to join the tour this winter.But i also love all the pros from DWTS.

By Milly Dec 19, 2008

I would like to hear more about Derek Hough. You mentioned he was a standout, which I know from all the articles from the last tour calling him the star of the tour. His energy and charisma is unmatched on stage. Did he have any featured numbers with the other pros since Brooke Burke was unable to participate in the tour?

By bdc_sharon Dec 18, 2008

I hate to be contradictory, but it was Alec Mazo that danced with Toni Braxton. I was there last night, and Maks ONLY partnered Karina. Also, it should be noted that Marlee Matlin is a celebrity participant, dancing with her season 6 partner Fabian Sanchez, who was also the host for the pre show dance competition. I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one that loved the "Come Fly with Me" number. Fondly, Sharon www.ballroomdancechannel

By Megan Dec 18, 2008

What a ridiculous statement. He is a dynamic dancer, an awesome choreographer, talented musician and along with Kristi Yamaguchi the Season 6 Champion.

By Shayna Dec 18, 2008

Mark Ballas does not stand out

By Megan Dec 18, 2008

You snubbed Mark Ballas.....any reason behind it?

By chris Dec 18, 2008

I knew Maks would put together an amazing dancing event, was there ever even a doubt?

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