Oral history interview with Juliana Chen conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on March 21, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
In this interview, Juliana Chen shares her upbringing in Hunan, China and her experiences as a teenager training to become a professional ballet dancer. She discusses her rigorous training and troupe career that ended when Chen sustained a knee injury. With a desire to try something new while still being able to perform, Chen immigrated to Vancouver, Canada and began practicing magic. Chen shares that although she didn't know anyone or speak English, she practiced her craft and broadened her knowledge by joining professional organizations including the International Brotherhood of Magicians. After winning several magic competitions, Chen performed on the Las Vegas Strip at Caesar's Palace and the Riviera Hotel and Casino. She shares her current professional pursuits, her connection to the Las Vegas magician community, and her thoughts on Chinese culture and cuisine.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with September Sarno conducted by David Schwartz on October 06, 2007 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. In this interview, Sarno discusses her early life and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of five. She remembers living at her father’s hotels growing up, the lifestyle she was born into, and the final months before the passing of Jay Sarno. Lastly, Sarno talks about the impact that her father has had in Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Frances Faye on December 30, 1974 with an unknown interviewer for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.
In this interview, Frances Faye shares memories of performing as a cabaret singer in the 1930s. She talks about her entertaining career at several clubs in New York and various other locations including the Yacht Club, the Hickory House, Club Calet, and other venues. Faye recalls songs she wrote and performances across the United States including those in Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Las Vegas, Nevada; and various locations within California. Faye reminisces with the interviewer about people they know in show business and briefly recounts a hip injury she sustained at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, causing her to stop performing for over nine years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carol Azevedo conducted by James E. Cuchine on March 04, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Azevedo discusses topics such as colleges, her political feelings, Downtown and West Las Vegas, Nevada, hospitals, and the Las Vegas Strip from 1951 and its growth.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dr. Jack Cherry conducted by Lowell Christie on June 17, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cherry discusses environmental change in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cherry also recalls experiencing an atomic bomb test.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bob E. Favor conducted by Paul Ortiz on an unknown date in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Favor discusses moving to Nevada in 1952 after his military service. Favor then discusses his various careers in Nevada including accounting and self-employment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alice Lowe conducted by Rusty Lee on an unknown date in 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lowe discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1944. Lowe also shares her experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada as the city developed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary and Bob Campbell conducted by Claytee D. White on January 19, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leonard M. "Len" Jessup conducted by Claytee D. White on August 06, 2018 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jessup discusses his family's Italian heritage, and growing up in San Francisco, California. He talks about attending California State University, Chico, doing research work for the University of Arizona, and becoming President of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Jessup describes working with Governor Brian Sandoval, developing the UNLV School of Medicine, and his educational philosophy. Lastly, Jessup talks about hosting a United States presidential debate at UNLV in 2016, the redesign of Maryland Parkway, and UNLV housing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nery Martinez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on December 06, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Martinez discusses his upbringing in Zacatecoluca, La Paz, El Salvador. He describes growing up around organized crime, the Salvadoran Civil War, and the hardship that came with earning an education. Martinez talks about his immigration story to the United States, and his first impressions of Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls training to be a bartender, becoming a member of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, and the aid that the Union provides for the immigrant community. Later, Martinez discusses his experience applying for a Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and the Salvadoran community in Las Vegas. Lastly, Martinez talks about starting a family in Las Vegas, and sharing his Salvadoran culture with his children.
Archival Collection