Waiheke Island’s World’s Oldest Dance Crew Performs at World Championship

New Zealand hip-hop dance crew, Hip Op-eration, have arrived in Las Vegas and performed as part of the World Hip Hop Championship. The world’s oldest hip-hip dance crew, Hip-Operation members range between the ages of 66-96, and it’s not usual to see a wheelchair or walker used by the members on stage.

Hip Op-eration’s The groups manager, Billie Jordan, told the Wall Street Journal that though there were nerves, the group didn’t let that get the better of them. “They were amazing. The crowd went crazy. They are so excited and nervous about the final,” said Ms Jordan.  Following their performance at the Mega Crew Semi Finals, the group were invited to perform at the finals.

According to Jordan, the crowd was just as enthusiastic as the group, “The young kids are standing up and clapping and cheering for them as they walk through.”

Twenty-seven members of the Waiheke Island dance crew made the trip to Las Vegas after they were invited to perform following a performance at New Zealand’s Got Talent last year.

The Wall Street Journal reports: “Howard Schwartz, Hip Hop International’s president, and HHI co-founder Karen Schwartz met the Hip-Operation Crew this week. They have been following the crew’s progress for eight months and said they are “an inspiration to so many people.” Both of their 94-year old mothers will be in the front row for the performance.”