World Hip Hip Dance Championship Finalists Set to Compete at Orleans Arena 8/2

The finalists of Hip Hop International's 8th Annual United States and World Hip Hop Dance Championships, the most thrilling live event in urban street dance, compete at the Orleans Arena, August 2.

The world champion Philippine Allstars will defend their title as nearly 2,000 dancers from around the globe compete for world street dance supremacy in this exhilarating show of talent and athleticism. A testament to the growing popularity of hip hop, this year's event features the largest roster of dancers in the competition's history. Dance crews representing more than 30 nations will compete in preliminary rounds in late July. The crews will showcase their best skills with the hope of advancing to the finals at the Orleans Arena, where they'll battle for world titles in a high-energy evening hosted by comedian Chris Spencer, who has multiple television, film, writing and producing credits including Significant Others, Soul Food, The Jamie Foxx Show, BET's Comic View and HBO's Def Comedy Jam.

The event has strong connections to the Las Vegas entertainment community, with Natasha Jean-Bart, who created the role of Lady Madonna in Cirque du Soleil's Love, returning as head judge. Muhktar, who was cast in Love after winning the World Hip Hop Championship in 2005 representing the U.K., will join Bart on the eight-person international panel of judges. Also returning to the panel is prominent hip hop choreographer Shane Sparks of MTV's top-rated show Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew.

The finals will also be marked by the presentation of the 2009 Living Legend of Hip Hop Award to performer and choreographer Toni Basil. Her recording and music video of "Mickey" remains a classic, and she has served as Bette Midler's dance director and choreographer for two decades. Beat Freaks, one of the most popular crews to compete in Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew, will honor Basil with a special live performance. Past award recipients include MC Hammer, DJ Kool Herc, Boogaloo Sam, Don "Campbellock" Campbell and Tommy the Clown.

The USA and World Hip Hop Dance Championships are the creation of Howard and Karen Schwartz, producers/creators of Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew. Las Vegas' own Super Cr3w won the reality competition show in 2008. For the first time in the event's history, the World Hip Hop Dance Championship Finals will be taped for a special to run later this year on MTV.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale, and are priced at $39.50 and $59.50, inclusive of tax. Tickets can be purchased at the Orleans Arena Box Office by calling 702.284.7777 or by visiting www.orleansarena.com.