William Knight
Bailey Munoz will be dancing in Vegas again Friday night.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 | 12:30 a.m.
It’s time once again for the annual visit from the “So You Think You Can Dance” live tour, featuring the Emmy Award-winning dance competition show’s top 10 finalists revisiting some of the most popular routines from Season 16 and performing original pieces created just for the tour.
But Friday’s show at the Smith Center will be extra special as this season’s champion, the energetic and acrobatic B-boy Bailey “Bailrok” Munoz, happens to call Las Vegas his home. The 19-year-old dancer was born in the Bay Area but has lived in Las Vegas for 12 years. He graduated from Las Vegas Academy and had been performing at the Cosmopolitan’s Rose.Rabbit.Lie. supper club for a few years when he was cast in “SYTYCD.”
“I’m beyond excited. I’ve been having dreams about coming back home and celebrating with everyone,” Munoz said. “It’s kind of crazy because I’ve always wanted to perform at the Smith Center. ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ has always been a dream but the Smith Center was another dream of mine and I can’t wait.”
Munoz checked in from the road a couple weeks into the tour and said the breakneck pace of performing and traveling was keeping him on his toes.
“Every day is so special for all of us because every day is a new city and a new audience. For the people watching, every night is their first and last night with us, so I try to give a good show every single night.”
He’s been looking forward to the Vegas show for a long time and has plenty of family and friends traveling downtown to celebrate his homecoming.
The 40-city tour wraps in Reno on December 6 and Munoz is still figuring out his plans for the future.
“I’ve been getting that question a lot. Right now I’m just enjoying the moment and trying to take advantage of all the opportunities I’ve been given,” he said. “I definitely see myself coming back to Las Vegas and working in the industry, but I’d love to dabble in acting. There’s so much I want to accomplish. I’m just excited for the future.”
“So You Think You Can Dance Live 2019” is set for 7:30 p.m. November 22 at Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center (361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-749-2000) and more information can be found at thesmithcenter.com.
