Oral history interview with Betty Francisco conducted by Joanne Goodwin on August 12, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Francisco opens her interview by discussing her early life in Arizona and California. Francisco then talks about her dance career in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting with her work at the Dunes Hotel. Francisco also discusses working for choreographer Harold Minsky. Finally, Francisco describes common dancer experiences, such as getting injured or sick.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Janet Kravenko conducted by Bridget Kelly on August 07, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Kravenko opens her interview by discussing the importance of dance to her family, and her early interest in becoming a member of the Bluebell Girls dance troupe. She describes the rules of touring as a Bluebell Girl and her experiences traveling the world for two years. She then discusses her first contract in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Lido de Paris show. She describes the daily life of a Bluebell Girl, and where they rehearsed and performed. Kravenko then talks about being a young performer in Las Vegas and the challenges of finding work. She also describes some of the famous people she worked with including Zsa Zsa Gabor and Major Riddle. Lastly, Kravenko discusses how her dance career changed after she became a mother.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with LaVerne Ligon, B. J. Thomas, and Leonard Polk conducted by Claytee D. White on July 09, 2012 and July 18, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Ligon, Thomas, and Polk discuss their personal early dancing careers, their varied experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada during segregation, and working for
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with professional dancer Diana Saunders conducted by Barabra Tabach on April 17, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Oral History Project. Diana shares stories of long career as a dancer, from substituting in the black dancer line to continued study of dancing with Anglo Moio. She also talks about the AIDS fundraising event, Golden Rainbow, having dinner at Rabbi Shea Harlig’s home, observations of local theater, being a part of the former Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, Hallelujah Hollywood, and a dancer for Siegfried and Roy.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Merl conducted by Claytee D. White on October 09, 2008 October 28, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Patricia Merl discusses her career as a professional dancer, working at the famous Radio City Music Hall, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada for opportunities in dancing, and moving to Florida for new possibilities. She also discusses teaching at the Hotel School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and working as the Director of Gaming Outreach for the International Gaming Institute.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carol Baker conducted by Nancy Hardy on May 29, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Baker talks about her life as an entertainer on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip, including backstage life, parties, and relationships amongst other dancers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Gail S. McQuary conducted by Joanne L. Goodwin on April 14, 1997, April 25, 1997 and May 28, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. McQuary opens her interviews with a discussion of her childhood and her introduction to dance in California. McQuary then talks about getting recruited to perform in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sahara Hotel and Casino while performing at a fair. McQuary goes on to describe her dance career in Las Vegas and the other casinos where she worked. McQuary also talks about how dancing and shows in Las Vegas changed throughout the years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Nancy Houssels conducted by Caryll Batt Dziedziak on November 18, 1998, December 07, 1998, and December 14, 1998 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Houssels begins her interviews discussing her childhood in California and the influence World War II had on her upbringing. Houssels then talks about her dance training and career including topics on her auditions, her dance partners, and touring Europe in the 1960s. Houssels describes coming to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968 where she was booked as a dancer in Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel. Houssels then discusses the influences Mormonism and adiago ballet had on her life. Houssels then describes how she co-founded the Nevada Ballet Theatre with Vassili Sulich, performances of the company, their dancers, and community outreach.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fluff LeCoque conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 05, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. LeCoque discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada’s entertainment industry. LeCoque recalls her dance experience in Las Vegas including work at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino, and performing as a principal dancer for Arden-Fletcher Productions at the Desert Inn. LeCoque retired from dancing in 1970 but recalls being lured out of retirement by Donn Arden to become company manager of Jubilee at the new MGM Grand Hotel (later renamed Bally's). Finally, she talks about the economic, social, and political changes that occurred in Las Vegas after World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary Louise Williams conducted by Claytee D. White on June 19, 1998 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview Mary Louise Williams discusses her dance career, working at the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino, visiting Las Vegas, Nevada numerous times throughout her life, and why she retired in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection