Saturday, July 24, 2010 | 12:05 a.m.
Calendar
- What: Hip Hop International
- When: July 26-31; times vary per session
- Where: Red Rock Casino and Orleans Arena, 323-850-3777
- Cost: Prices vary per session
- Official site:hiphopinternational.com.
"Clean it up. Clean. Clean. Clean!" It's almost an hour and a half into practice, and Prodigy Dance Crew is starting to wear down. Still, director Kay More urges the dancers to run through their routine as if they were onstage in front of judges and a live audience, because they soon will be. It's a few days before the beginning of Hip Hop International, where Prodigy will compete with dozens of groups from across the globe for a championship title, prize money and bragging rights.
Before all that, though, there's practice — months of it. There are practice videos to watch and hours of self-critique, not to mention the hammering home of the smallest details, reminding the dancers that they'll be judged on technical merit. So don't even think about faking that arm wave.
HHI marks the first major competition for Prodigy's year-old coed varsity team (ages 13-18), not that the members aren't already seasoned competitors and performers. Kyle Stokely was an original cast member in Cirque du Soleil's Love. Josh Pyne ranks as a level-10 gymnast. Tomas Jefferies previously competed with Prodigy's junior squad. They didn't make it to finals, and that's made Jefferies hungry for more. "You think it's just going to be another competition, but you get there and realize it isn't," he says. "HHI is the biggest competition there is."
The annual dance competition hosts some of the world's best-known crews, including reigning America's Best Dance Crew champs Poreotix, and the Philippine All Stars — both of which Jefferies and his crew are excited to see in person. "You see how good some of these crews are and think, 'We can do this!'" Jefferies says. "It's life changing."
Nerves are running high, but Jefferies knows they'll subside in time. "Adrenaline kicks in once you're onstage and see nothing but lights," he says. "You can't think. If you do think, you'll probably mess up."
True to its namesake, The Orleans gives visitors a year-round Mardi Gras feeling with a New Orleans French Quarter environment.
Located just a short way from the center of gambling on the Strip, The Orleans offers a collection of attractions that helps to draw in a mix of locals and visitors.
In addition to the 1,885 hotel rooms and 134,000-square foot casino, the property has a 70-lane bowling center, an 18-screen movie theater, an 850-seat showroom and a 9,500-seat arena, home to the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team.
The hotel also has 14 dining options, including Canal Street, The Prime Rib Loft, Koji Sushi Bar & China Bistro and Big Al’s Oyster Bar.
Situated at the entrance to Red Rock Canyon and minutes from the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa offers five-star luxury in a modern property, built in 2006.
The casino features features 3,000 slot and video poker machines, 60 table games including blackjack, baccarat, craps, poker, roulette, a 206-seat Race and Sports Book with a 96-foot video wall a 20-table smoke-free poker room open 24 hours a day, a 600-seat bingo hall with separate smoking and non-smoking sections, open 7 days a week with sessions running every other hour from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., a 20-seat keno lounge and a private high-limit room.
A recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award since opening and named one of the world's best new hotels by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Red Rock redefines casino resort architecture by incorporating natural light, a convenient layout and the comforts of a modern lifestyle.
The centerpiece of the property is the three-acre pool complex with 19 cabanas and swim-up gaming. Its location allows for balcony views from several of the property's restaurants and Cherry Nightclub. Aside from Cherry, guests can grab a drink at Onyx or Lucky or listen to live music in Rocks Lounge.
Dining spans the globe at Red Rock with more than 10 restaurants, including the Italian food of Terra Rossa, the Japanese fusion of Hachi, the Mexican spices at Cabo Cantina or a bit of everything at the Feast Buffet.
Unlike some resorts in town, Red Rock has activities for the whole family, such as a 16-screen movie theater and an arcade. The 72-lane bowling center features a VIP area and carpet that glows in the dark for after hours at Cosmic Bowling.
— Originally published in Las Vegas Weekly
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