9/14/03 2:47 PM Inches: 4.4 REGULAR BC-NV-People-BritneySpe 09-14 0192

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LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Partygoers hit the jackpot at the Palms hotel-casino early Sunday morning when singer Britney Spears hit the stage unexpectedly.

The pop star, along with a group of dancers, belted out three songs from her upcoming album at the popular Rain nightclub.

"We tried to keep it a secret," said Rain co-owner Scott DeGraff of the Chicago-based N9NE Group. "We wanted to make it a surprise for people. I know people were shocked. No one knew."

Her performance began about 1 a.m. and lasted thirty minutes.

Not only did the 1,800 people inside Rain get an up close look at Britney, DeGraff said, but they also saved hundreds of dollars a piece. The nightclub did not charge extra for the Britney bash.

DeGraff said MTV was also on hand to film Britney, as were a number of celebrities in Las Vegas for the big boxing match between Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand.

"It was just a crazy night," DeGraff said. "The place was just mobbed."