The Las Vegas African American Community Conversations is a four part, one hour round table conversation with local Las Vegans. They share their powerful stories and great history, with topics ranging from “Migration, Civil Rights, Education, Church, Entertainment and the Early Legal Community”. Part Three: A conversation about ” Civil Rights and Entertainment” MODERATOR- Claytee D. White (Director-Oral History Research Center) PANELISTS- Lonnie G Wright (College Professor/Business Owner) LaVerne C. Ligon (Director- Simba Talent Development Center Inc.) Walter Mason (Director-IRA Aldridge Theater) Leonard Pock Jr. (Retired Stagehand) B.J. Thomas (Retired Stagehand)

A five panel publicity photograph of comedian Tommy "Moe" Raft, a performer in Minsky's Burlesque at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino. The Aladdin opened on April 1, 1966 and closed on November 25, 1997, and was imploded on 7:30pm, on April 27, 1998, except for the Aladdin Theatre to make way for the construction of an entirely new casino. The new Aladdin was scheduled to reopen on August 17, 2000, at 6:00 p.m. The opening was delayed while the Clark County building inspector completed its fire safety testing. Another delay was caused by last-minute repairs to the casino surveillance system. The new Aladdin finally opened the next day at 7:45 a.m. The casino was sold in bankruptcy on June 20, 2003 to a partnership of Planet Hollywood and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Renovations were carried out in stages, allowing the resort to remain open throughout. The retail space formerly known as "The Desert Passage" was converted into the Hollywood-themed "Miracle Mile Shops" and the theatre formerly known as the "Aladdin Theatre" was converted into "The AXIS". After the casino was renovated, it was reopened as "Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino" on April 17, 2007.