Ramble, Then Gamble 

The relatively close geographic distance between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas makes Vegas a great option for a weekend out of town. The cosmic distance between the two places makes it even better. True, Salt Lake doesn’t get enough credit for its night life, but let’s face it, Vegas has unparalleled night life and an atmosphere that allows—even encourages— people to get outside their comfort zones. While the list of what’s available in the City of Neon is inexhaustible (and often requires an inexhaustible supply of energy and money for some of it), it’s also a chance to try something new. Consider the following three options for venturing in to the pleasure-loving side of Vegas:

Zumanity
While a variety of Cirque du Soleil shows can be found around the Strip, this one combines Vegas show sensibility with Cirque acrobatics to create “The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil.”  The show combines comedy, stunts, dance and general naughtiness to create a fun night out for couples (don’t forget to ask about sitting in one of the special “duo sofas” when booking your tickets) providing subtle sexuality within the context of an adult show.

Edie, the Mistress of Sensuality who emcees the evening, explained in an interview before a performance, “There’s a way of sexuality where you don’t have to be obvious, but you can be just as erotic. The show exudes sexuality with a sense of confidence, but we don’t say, “ Do it this way”; we create this thing together.”

Zumanity—The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil New York-New York Hotel and Casino Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. Tickets from $69 to $135 To reserve tickets, phone 866-606-7111 or 702-740-6815. Zumanity.com

Forty Deuce Burlesque
Salt Lake has a taste for women in old-school fringe, feather boas and opera gloves dancing to 1920s jazz, as demonstrated by the success of local burlesque troupes. While in Vegas, take the chance to see a well-trained, professional dancer perform the famous “hat trick” in a setting specifically devoted to the complete burlesque experience that includes martinis, jazz and the intimate feel of a speakeasy.

As with most clubs in Vegas, a cover charge gets you in the door. Bottle service and VIP packages are available, including one for women, who are very much welcome at the club. Stop by the club’s boutique and pick up a little burlesque outfit of your own or for the lady in your life.

Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce: World Famous Burlesque Mandalay Place Thursday-Sunday, 10 p.m. to dawn $20 cover charge, VIP packages and bottle service also available For more info, phone 702-492-3960 or visit FortyDeuce.com

Thunder From Down Under
Bachelorette parties and other groups of women out for a fun night will enjoy this show that features shirtless (and somewhat pants-less) sculpted Australian men dancing in female fantasies ranging from firemen to pirates to cowboys—but without the whole high-pressure, strip-club atmosphere.

“It’s not just bump and grind and ‘Look at me, I’m fabulous’,” dancer Adam Hughes said during an interview before a show. “It’s the kind of show you can bring your daughter or mother to.”

And that’s the sort of audience that usually shows up, as women of all ages hoot, whistle and cheer through the 75-minute show—including Utah women who, Hughes says, can regularly be found at Thunder shows.

“We get a lot of girls from Utah,” Hughes says. “We get girls that are Mormons. The Utah girls are no different. We get the same reaction the world over—it doesn’t matter what race or religion.”

Utahns who take in the show can take advantage of a bachelorette package that provides limousine service, dinner at a Las Vegas restaurant, admission to a night club, and, of course, a show that proves the Aussie accent is not the sexiest part about the dancers.

Sometimes people from Salt Lake City just want to get away to experience something different and be a little bit naughty. Where better than our neighbor to the south to find just what you’re looking for?

Thunder from Down Under: Male Exotic Dance Excalibur Hotel Show runs nightly at 9 p.m., with 11 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday Tickets from $39.95 to $49.95. Bachelorette packages are also available For tickets, phone 877-750-5464 or visit ThunderFromDownUnder.com