Oral history interview with Frederic Apcar conducted by Nancy Hardy on July 19, 2003 for the Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Apcar describes his birth and early life in Paris, France, his parents' divorce, working from a young age, and, at the age of sixteen learning to dance ballet and tap. He talks about his first dancing job at the Folies Bergere in Paris, going on tour for several years with Josephine Baker, and on his return to Paris, dancing with the Lido before signing a contract for a three-month job at the Copacabana in New York City, New York. He then discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959, where he produced the Las Vegas Les Folies Bergere, Vive les Girls with Ron Lewis, and Casino de Paris. He also talks about Donn Arden as the other major show producer on the Strip during this period.
Oral history interview with Gene Collins conducted by Claytee White on August 31, 2000 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Gene Collins speaks about how his family lived in West Las Vegas, Nevada, which at the time was a thriving community where African Americans owned their own businesses. Gene talked about how the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. led to a riot and how it inspired him to run for state assemblyman where he was instrumental in getting the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday bill to pass. He spoke about his time as the president of the Las Vegas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) where he addressed the lack of African Americans in the gaming industry in addition to filing the largest equal employment opportunity commission suit filed in the state of Nevada against the Mirage Hotel and Casino.
Oral history interview with Dr. Jacob Paz conducted by Claytee D. White on September 15, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Paz discusses growing up in Israel and obtaining a green card to attend New York University in 1974. He then talks about his sense of community within the Jewish part of Las Vegas, Nevada and his affirmations on the Holocaust.
On March 1, 1979, Jon J. Howard interviewed Loreta Monson (b. April 10, 1904 in Egypt, Idaho) about her life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Monson speaks about coming to Las Vegas, the layout of the city and Fremont Street. Moreover, Monson talks about the Mormon church in Las Vegas, politicians and Nellis Air Force Base. Lastly, Monson discusses leisure activities, recreational activities such as fishing, and the Old Ranch.
Oral history interview with Jay Pleggenkuhle and Daniel Perez conducted by Claytee D. White on July 18, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Jay and Daniel describe their business partnership in a landscaping venture. After the tragic event on October 1, 2017, the pair wanted to do something for the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Perez suggested that Pleggenkuhle call officials at the City of Las Vegas and propose a healing garden. The City offered a site and the work began, and within 72 hours, a design materialized, volunteers appeared, materials arrived, and the work began. On Friday, the official dedication was held. Pleggenkuhle and Perez share stories of the garden's construction, the generosity of the human spirit, love, and giving back as a city mourns. The two recall that the main oak tree, the Tree of Life, centers the garden and the 58 smaller trees anchor the garden.
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.
Oral history interview with Frances Moore conducted by Len Trout on March 01, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Moore begins by discussing her family's history in Nevada and the people she met in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about visits by prominent politicians to Las Vegas, the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, and life in Las Vegas during the 1930s and 1940s. Moore also describes how Las Vegas has changed, nuclear weapons tests, and the Stewart Ranch.
Jay Brewer interviews local store clerk Marilyn B. Brockett, born December 10th, 1925, in Cedar City, Utah. Marilyn B. Brockett, originally known as Marilyn B. Ballard before marriage, moved to Nevada in 1932. During this interview Brockett discusses social changes and the growth of Boulder City, Nevada from 1932 to 1975.
On March 2, 1980, collector David Mowrey interviewed Barbara Millington (born July 3rd, 1937 in Oak Creek, Colorado) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview, Mrs. Millington discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with her family and working various jobs including at Vegas Village and becoming a bookkeeper at a construction firm. She also speaks about the changes she has seen in Las Vegas, such as how casinos were when she first came here compared to how they are now. She ends the interview talking about the need for Las Vegas to find industry outside of gaming. She discusses the need for young people to come back after going away to college to improve the city.