The very name Las Vegas is synonymous with showbiz. Ever since Minsky Goes to Paris introduced topless showgirls at the Dunes in 1957, this has been the place to go for quick and sexy entertainment. In those days the lounges gave up-and-coming performers a chance to polish their acts on their way to the showrooms; the camaraderie and informality lent a loose and friendly air to the entertainment. Through the years the Entertainment Capital of the World has weathered a number of changes in its stage presentations, policies, and prices, but one thing has remained the same for 50 years -- doing things big with as much attention called to the doing as possible.

Headliners such as Tom Jones, David Copperfield, Wayne Newton, and George Carlin still pack the traditional showrooms. Extravagant revues such as Folies Bergere, and Jubilee! still stage 12 shows a week, with outrageous sets, costumes, variety acts, and song and dance. But young and exuberant shows such as Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil's O and Mystère have modernized the spectacle. Female and superstar impersonators, "dirty" dancers, comedians -- all perpetuate the original style of razzle-dazzle entertainment that Las Vegas has popularized for the world.

Some traditions have changed, however. Certain hotels have eliminated nudity and foul language in the name of family entertainment. Some even encourage parents to bring their children along by offering special prices for youngsters (usually in the summer months). And the dinner show has gone the way of the mink stole, unless you count the utensil-free "medieval style" dining at Excalibur's "Tournament of Kings."

In the not-so-old days, the shows were loss leaders, much as the buffets are today: they were intended to draw patrons who would eventually wind up in the casino. Admission prices to shows were dirt cheap, and the programs were fairly short. Nowadays, it will cost you $60 or more to see Newton or Gladys Knight, and a ticket to the biggest production, O, will set you back $93-$150. Yet many of the smaller shows have much lower prices. Bargain-hunters have learned to look to afternoon shows, such as Tropicana magician Rick Thomas or the Flamingo's campy burlesque revue "Bottom's Up," as ways to hold ticket prices under the $20 line.

There are several kinds of shows in Las Vegas. What used to be known as the "big room headliners" are a vanishing breed, and so are the old table-and-booth showrooms where they used to perform. But you can still find a few of the old names, along with a new generation of "resident headliners" -- singer Clint Holmes and impressionist Danny Gans -- who keep the tradition alive. The big-production spectaculars also remain a Las Vegas trademark, presenting little or no language barrier to the city's large numbers of international tourists. But the classic "feather show" -- 90 minutes of song, dance, topless showgirls, specialty acts, and special effects -- has taken a backseat to the stylized eye candy of Cirque du Soleil or the avant-garde stunts of the Blue Man Group.

The Strip also broke down the walls that used to exist between old-school Las Vegas headliners and contemporary concert attractions. The casinos conformed to the modern concert industry by building two arenas -- the MGM Grand Garden and Mandalay Events Center -- and music clubs such as the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Las Vegas is now a mandatory tour stop for top-name stars of all ages and musical genres.