Las Vegas - The Entertainment Capital of the World

I have witnessed Las Vegas morph into a family adventure playground, luxury vacation destination and entertainment mecca over time - yet its core remains unchanged: its mercenary heart never wavers.

It is an attractive city because its life revolves around an extreme subversion of roles, purposes and meanings - part of its appeal lies in this unusual juxtaposition. Here lies excess in a whole new form!

Entertainment

Sin City is widely considered to be the Entertainment Capital of the World and offers some of the world's most captivating entertainment experiences. Get up close and personal with Australians performing Thunder from Down Under; go into an alternative cabaret at Zombie Burlesque; witness live musicperformances by Composers Room; experience world-class production shows, headliner acts, hypnotic fountains and luxury shopping all along its famous eight-mile stretch - you won't be disappointed by anything available to see in Sin City.

Nevada became the final Western state to outlaw gambling in 1910, signaling an end for frontier "gambling halls." But in 1931 construction of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead quickly brought water, electricity, hordes of young male workers and plenty of entertainment options, spurring tourism growth. By 1950 developers had started creating "resorts" - not simply casinos - with pools and spas, nightly live performances (from Liberace to Elvis), rooms big enough for longer-term stays - not unlike what can now be found today in Nevada!

Fremont Street Experience, the heart of Downtown Las Vegas (DTLV), is a six-block pedestrian-only thoroughfare filled with retro and revived casinos, open-air bars, cheap eats and quirky street performers--all under Viva Vision, an immense barrel vault canopy made of 49 million LED lights that illuminates it all with hourly light shows and sound shows. Experience this visual spectacle slowly while sipping on one of many open-air bars or restaurants serving yard-long frozen margaritas!

The Strip also comes alive with the sounds of world-famous musicians such as singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood at Planet Hollywood Live (PH Live), Shania Twain at Caesars Palace's 'Come On Over' concert series and up-and-coming talent like those found across the nation at local venues. But Vegas is more than just big name performances; up-and-coming talent from across America also can be seen performing.

Clubs

Sin City provides an unforgettable nightclub experience. Here you will find top-of-the-line clubs offering pulse-pounding beats and celebrity DJ performances in an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Las Vegas has quickly become the global epicenter for EDM (Electronic Dance Music), attracting EDM lovers from around the globe. From luxurious venues such as XS Nightclub at Encore and Marquee Nightclub at Cosmopolitan to Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace and Drai's Beachclub & Nightclub on The Cromwell; every EDM lover can find something suitable to their taste here.

If hip hop is what you crave, look no further than XS Nightclub's kinetic light installation and Witch Doctor cocktail; its five types of rum poured over dry ice creates an otherworldly effect. Or take a restorative break in their lounge area featuring velvet couches and window seating with views overlooking the Strip.

Experience the excitement of Las Vegas clubs like never before with bottle service! Not only is this VIP experience faster, but often cheaper than general admission ticket prices as well. Just keep in mind that most clubs require that your party contain an even distribution of guys and girls in order to qualify for free guest list entry.

Resorts World Las Vegas' AYU Day Club showcases Las Vegas culture through round-the-clock partying with its luxurious poolside setting and main dance floor hosting DJs of the world's renown. One of few clubs to seamlessly transition between day and night with VIP tables, diverse areas, and an international clientele - it should not be missed for any Vegas visitor!

Day Clubs & Nightlife

While Vegas provides an unforgettable nightclub experience all year round, when temperatures heat up during spring and summer months the fun shifts to Las Vegas pool clubs. At these elite pool spots you can fist pump to world-renowned DJs while lounging in luxurious cabanas while deepening your tan while taking part in thrilling aquatic activities like lap swimming.

Tao Beach at the Venetian is an exotic escape with soothing DJ tunes and delicious spiked ice cream bars, while for more luxurious day club experiences try Marquee at the Cosmopolitan or Wet Republic.

Daylight at Mandalay Bay boasts one of the largest pools on the Strip and hosts one of the hottest Hip Hop parties on Sunday afternoons - Lit Sunday parties are perfect for relaxing poolside while listening to hip hop artists perform! VIP cabanas provide guests with prime seating, while music on the main stage features bottle service to fully immerse in all of the action!

At Encore Beach Club, topless day clubbers can also find plenty of naughty fun. This sprawling tropical oasis features tiered pools and an exhilarating soundtrack - plus you may just meet social media celebrities!

GO Pool at Flamingo Las Vegas is another must-see spot with a lively yet classy ambience. Relax on one of their sunbeds or order drinks at their bar while listening to energetic DJs play tunes, watching dancers perform or listening to live musical acts perform.

To maximize your daytime experience, it is advisable to arrive early at any club or pool party you intend to attend. Most clubs have shorter guest list lines compared to general admission (GA) lines, or you could purchase VIP table or bottle service in advance and avoid lines completely. Also keep cash handy as many clubs do not accept credit cards for drinks purchases.

Sports

People tend to associate Las Vegas with luxurious casinos with bustling floors and rows of slot machines, but the city also hosts an energetic sports scene which has taken the court, field and rink by storm.

Professional sports leagues continue to flock to Nevada's largest city, seeing dollar signs in both residents and visitors' eyes. From the Raiders coming in 2020 to Golden Knights/Aces joining NHL roster, these franchises have completely revolutionized Las Vegas sports scene.

Professional and collegiate sports events take place throughout the year, reflecting their global popularity. Formula 1 racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway draws in fans from all around the globe while also showcasing some of the greatest drivers. Meanwhile, Electric Daisy Carnival music festival draws thousands to attend each year in Las Vegas.

Apart from the Raiders and Golden Knights, Las Vegas hosts various professional and collegiate sports teams. For example, Allegiant Stadium hosts the Las Vegas Bowl college football bowl game which showcases top teams from Mountain West Conference. Furthermore, Las Vegas Outlaws of XFL turned former NBA star Rod "He Hate Me" Smart into a fan favorite who attracted high television ratings during their time there.

Oakland Athletics may relocate to Las Vegas, giving the city one of four major professional sports leagues and making it a true sporting capital. Las Vegas' vibrant atmosphere and vacation destination appeal could prove successful for their move.

Theatre

Once dismissed as a cultural backwater, Las Vegas has transformed into a global entertainment powerhouse that surpasses entire national economies. Now its luxurious showrooms host everything from headliner concerts and pop star residencies to Cirque du Soleil shows, comedy acts and magic shows - not to mention all sorts of other acts!

Las Vegas theatre scene reflects its diverse population, featuring classic plays and contemporary works alongside opera and a host of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. At University of Nevada Las Vegas theatre students can gain valuable experience and knowledge at its state-of-the-art facility featuring three beautiful performance spaces: 150 seat black box theatre; 1280-seat Las Vegas Academy Theatre Conservatory and 675 seat Lowden Theater for the Performing Arts.

Alongside its performing arts facilities, the school also houses a fully equipped 2200-square-foot stage shop. Equipped with woodworking and metalworking tools that enable students to perform everything from rough layout carpentry and steel framing scenery detailing to more intricate aspects such as computer controlled hotwire foam cutters and MIG welding equipment - students work on all manner of tasks in this department.

Carly Presher, who plays Courteney Cox's movie character Gale in Scream'd at Majestic, believes its success has given local theatre companies an injection of life and momentum. According to Presher, there is an "underlying principle that says when one boat rises another will come afloat", adding: "Maybe recognition from this show will spread to other dance and music companies just as it did for us. For an operatic treat go visit Judy Bayley Theater at CSN on 21 and 23 February for Rossinis The Barber of Seville updated for contemporary Hollywood where Figaro is Figaro, hairdresser to stars!