Sauna and a show? ‘Wellness theater’ makes its sweaty debut in Las Vegas

The sauna-set entertainment known as Aufguss has long been popular in Europe. Will Americans warm to the art form?

In the event sauna" of the Awana Spa in Las Vegas, tourists in bathing suits were taking selfies on wood benches lined with neon lights. The sauna was heated to 175F (79C) and the show was about to begin.

A tattooed and bikini-clad sauna meister" dropped ice infused with essential oils on to the hot stones at the center of the sauna. As pop music pounded through the sauna speakers, she began to wave a towel in elaborate patterns above her head, wafting hot, scented air directly at each cluster of audience members.