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Guava Soleil at the Miss Gay Las Vegas Pageant at Gipsy nightclub, 4605 South Paradise Road, Las Vegas, Nevada: digital image

Date

1988-08-08

Description

From the Dennis McBride Photograph Collection (PH-00263) -- LGBTQ+ events and organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada -- Digital images file. Notes from the donor, Dennis McBride: This series of photographs of the Gipsy nightclub arson fire was downloaded from the Internet on August 20, 2018 and includes Guava Soleil's captions. Efforts to reach Soleil were unsuccessful. Soleil's caption for image no. 4647 reads, "I was just starting out and background girls were hard to find ...." For more on the Gipsy fire see Out of the Neon Closet: Queer Community in the Silver State, by Dennis McBride [North Charleston, SC: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016], pp. 36-37. Also see the Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 9, 1988, 11E; the Bohemian Bugle extra, August 9, 1988; and the Las Vegas Bugle, December 1993, pp. 20-22. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: unidentified female impersonator; Guava Soleil; unidentified female impersonator

Image

UNLV Libraries Collection of Sam’s Town Promotional and Publicity Materials

Identifier

MS-01011

Abstract

The UNLV Libraries Collection of Sam’s Town Promotional and Publicity Materials includes press kits, press releases, promotional materials, and newspaper and magazine clippings for Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tunica, Mississippi, and Sam’s Town Gold River in Laughlin, Nevada, dating from 1979 to 2006.

Archival Collection

Rossi Ralenkotter oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03870

Abstract

Oral history interview with Rossi Ralenkotter conducted by Claytee D. White on August 4, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ralenkotter describes migrating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951 with his parents at the age of four. He shares early memories of the city, and talks about how it brought him to be president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Ralenkotter is responsible for marketing and branding Las Vegas and Southern Nevada as the world's most desirable destination for leisure and business travel. Under his leadership, the LVCVA launched the most successful branding campaign in tourism history, "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas." In 1971, Ralenkotter earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and in 2008 was selected as Alumni of the Year. In 2009, he was honored with UNLV's Distinguished Nevadan Award. Throughout the interview, Ralenkotter recalls his many memories of the city throughout his life, including cruising Fremont Street, swimming at Lorenzi Park, participating in Helldorado parades, and watching the transformation of sports in the city.

Archival Collection

Victor Chicas oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03564

Abstract

Oral history interview with Victor Chicas conducted by Elsa Lopez on February 15, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Victor Chicas describes his childhood in El Salvador, sharing what it was like to grow up before and during the Salvadoran Civil War. Victor was very involved in the politics at the time, and was frequently caught up in dangerous protests against the Salvadoran police forces. Chicas talks about his experiences protesting at his university and about the riots that happened there. Victor recounts his story of immigration, and moving to Los Angeles, California as a young man. Victor talks about the different states his family has lived in and compares them to the quality of life he has found in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chicas discusses his time working at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and recalls his experiences working the night of the 1 October mass shooting. He shares his views on the importance of social justice and political activism, citing the shooting and his experiences as his primary reason for being an activist.

Archival Collection

Dick Franco oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03789

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dick Franco conducted by Su Kim Chung on July 14, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Richard Francis or Dick Franco, his stage name by which he is more commonly known, has been juggling for over 50 years, having learned the art while he was still in high school. Taught by prominent juggling legends in Vaudeville and Las Vegas, Franco would go on to perform all over the world. He began as an opening act with the Harlem Globetrotters in the US, but he then traveled Europe and was featured in variety and production shows in Blackpool, London, Monte Carlo, and Berlin among others.

Franco won specialty awards in Monte Carlo and Paris for his juggling prowess. In the US, Franco performed extensively in Las Vegas at the shows Hallelujah Hollywood, Lido de Paris, Folies Bergere and Jubilee. He then performed many shows in Branson, MO before becoming an entertainment agent and producer in Las Vegas. His wife and daughter traveled all over the world with him and both would perform in his acts.

Archival Collection

Olivia Díaz oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-03696

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Olivia Díaz conducted by Nathalie Martinez and Barbara Tabach on August 31 and September 14, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In the first interview, Díaz gives her family and personal history, growing up in Las Vegas but often visiting her family in Durango, Mexico for extended stays. She recalls her matriarchal upbringing, particularly while living in Mexico, and what life was like growing up and going to school in East Las Vegas and at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). Subjects discussed include: Mexico; Latina identity. In the second interview, Díaz talks about her English language education career for the Clark County School District (CCSD) and the events that led her to run for Nevada Assembly and Las Vegas City Council. She is presently Nevada's Assemblywoman for District 11 and Las Vegas' Councilwoman for Ward 3. Olivia concludes her interview with insights into her political and educational goals for the community and the initiatives she has focused on in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Archival Collection