Question of the Day - 14 April 2012

This has been an interesting exercise in nostalgia, or rather it would have been, had the current writer been around back then to remember most of these places (if only!). Here's the lowdown on who turned the lights out at those now defunct Las Vegas casinos known for their entertainment:

• Dunes (1993): The classic showgirl production Casino de Paris, which originally starred Line Renaud and was produced by the legendary Fredrick Apcar, was the final act performing in the showroom when this hotel closed to make way for Bellagio.

• Sands (1996): The final acts to appear in the famed Copa Room were Elayne Boosler, Bobbie Collins, Jeff Dunham, Gallagher, Richard Lewis, John Pinette, Paul Rodriquez, Smokey Robinson, Rita Rudner, Neil Sedaka, and Frankie Valli. The last show to perform was Viva Las Vegas.

• Hacienda (1996): Magician Lance Burton continued to perform his show Magical Journey in the Fiesta Showroom at the Hacienda, where he'd opened in 1991, until the property closed and the Master Magician relocated to his custom-built theater at the Monte Carlo.

• Aladdin (1999): Breaking with the tradition of featuring old-school Las Vegas headliners, when the old Aladdin closed to make way for what is now Planet Hollywood, the last two nights featured concerts by Jane's Addiction on Nov. 24 and Mötley Crüe on Nov. 25. Of course, this being the Crüe, a riot broke out during their performance and four people were injured, although no arrests were made.

• Desert Inn (2000): Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Bobby Rydell were the last acts to take the stage in the Crystal Room (where Frank Sinatra had also performed both his Las Vegas debut and his last show in town).

• Caesars Circus Maximus (2000): Obviously, Caesars Palace is still here, but when its legendary showroom (prior to the Colosseum) closed in 2000, it was with Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme.

• Boardwalk (2006): Prince tribute Purple Reign continued to rock the Boardwalk lounge until it closed. After several venue changes since, the band now has a new home at downtown's newly remodeled the D.

• Stardust (2006): During the Stardust Theater's last month of operation, legendary stars including George Carlin, Tim Conway, and Harvey Korman all gave performances, and singer Lawrence Leritz performed for the Ex-Playboy Bunny Reunion. The final act to perform in the theater was, again, legendary Las Vegas couple Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. Headlights & Tailpipes topless revue was the last production show to call the Stardust home.