Over the years I have made numerous trips to Las Vegas, at times to attend business meetings or tech conventions, but many a time simply to enjoy some leisure time with friends, family, or by myself. While Vegas is famous for the glitz of its casinos situated in luxe hotels offering tempting prices for exquisitely appointed suites and all-you-can-eat-buffets, the access to world-class entertainment is what attracts me to the 4.2-mile-long strip.

There are more reasons for visiting Vegas: it is the gateway to The Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and Lake Huvasu City. It also only a day’s drive away from Black Rock City, home to the world-famous, annual, community festival, Burning Man.

In terms of out and out showbiz there is nothing like burlesque shows, circuses, and dance revues. Les Folies Bergere had a 49-year run at the Tropicana where showgirls brought cabaret, cancan, and a decadent Paris to a long-legged revue of adult pomp and fantasy. Cirque de Soleil with its circus-like shows like Mystere and O have captivated audiences with stunts without using any live animals. Burlesque shows like Fantasy, X Burlesque and Absinthe run to packed houses, twice daily, giving audiences a taste of old-fashioned vaudeville counterpointed with modern day striptease.

Over the years I have made numerous trips to Las Vegas, at times to attend business meetings or tech conventions, but many a time simply to enjoy some leisure time with friends, family, or by myself. While Vegas is famous for the glitz of its casinos situated in luxe hotels offering tempting prices for exquisitely appointed suites and all-you-can-eat-buffets, the access to world-class entertainment is what attracts me to the 4.2-mile-long strip.

There are more reasons for visiting Vegas: it is the gateway to The Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and Lake Huvasu City. It also only a day’s drive away from Black Rock City, home to the world-famous, annual, community festival, Burning Man.

In terms of out and out showbiz there is nothing like burlesque shows, circuses, and dance revues. Les Folies Bergere had a 49-year run at the Tropicana where showgirls brought cabaret, cancan, and a decadent Paris to a long-legged revue of adult pomp and fantasy. Cirque de Soleil with its circus-like shows like Mystere and O have captivated audiences with stunts without using any live animals. Burlesque shows like Fantasy, X Burlesque and Absinthe run to packed houses, twice daily, giving audiences a taste of old-fashioned vaudeville counterpointed with modern day striptease.