“Just Dance Live” a special at Navy Pier- reviewed by Carol Moore

Recommended **** “Just Dance Live” is a family dance extravaganza.  In case you didn’t know – and I didn’t – “Just Dance” is a popular video game in which the players mimic the choreography shown on the screen.  Almost everyone else in the Aon Ballroom at Navy Pier – moms, dads, and kids of all ages – must play the game, because they were out on the dance floor, dancing their hearts out!  4 Spotlights

16 professional dancers in colorful costumes did high energy dance moves to driving, upbeat music, featuring hits by Bruno Mars, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and more.   By the way, there was some ’70s music too, with fruit (strawberry, watermelon, pineapple and banana) dancing to Barry Manilow’s Copacabana.

The dancers were stationed all over the ballroom – on the traditional stage, with colorful, sometimes dizzying projections behind them; on a smaller stage, opposite; and on two tall cubes with spiral stairs.  As soon as one song ended on one stage, the spotlights went down, only to reappear somewhere else.  It was amazing to watch as everyone in the dancing audience smoothly turned around.

The scenery changed just as quickly as the spotlights, going from space to the sea, from winter to summer, with dizzying speed.  At one point, the entire Aon Ballroom was filled with falling snowflakes!

There was a huge pre-show experience where attendees could have their faces painted, interact with the costumed cast, throw an oversized beach ball, hug a panda, buy a souvenir or dance on a mini-stage.

Ubisoft, the developer of “Just Dance” have just launched “Just Dance Live”, which is on a pilot tour through selected cities.  “Just Dance Live” remains on Navy Pier through March 18^th.  Remaining performances: Saturday, March 17^th at 3:00 and 8:00 pm; Sunday at 3:00 pm.  Pre-show begins one hour earlier.  Tickets start at $45.  A limited number of family four packs are available for each performance.  Navy Pier parking is expensive (we paid $24 for 2 hours), so if at all possible, take public transportation.  FYI (866) 468-3399, www.justdancelive.com or www.ticketmaster.com.