Holographic nightclub to open in Las Vegas

(Digital Illusions)

Las Vegas is set to make history this week by opening the first holographic nightclub in the United States.

The dancing girls in Lolita's Cantina and Tequila bar may look real enough when it opens on July 22, but in reality they're conjured out of thin air using holographic technology.

The entertainment in the bar, owned by veteran nightclub developer Eric DeBiasi, is created using the same technology used by Damon Albarn's virtual band the Gorillaz and Live Earth Tokyo to project former US vice President Al Gore onto the stage.

Digital Illusions, the company behind the technology, says that the DJ will have total control over both the music and the dancing, creating a seamless audiovisual performance that will look totally realistic to the audience.

Digital Illusions boss Ann DeVilbiss says that using holographic technology could change business in Las Vegas forever.

"Imagine having a library of hundreds or thousands of clips of entertainers, magicians, comedians, dancers," she explains.

"Each one is ready to perform at a moment's notice. Each one is surrounded by special effects and magical appearances and disappearances. But most importantly, each one looks totally real."

In terms of high-tech nightclubs though, Lolita's won't have Las Vegas cornered - 3opolis, the world's first 3D-enabled nightclub, launched in 2009 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino just further down the strip.

http://www.lolitascantina.com/