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Nittaya Parawong oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03847

Abstract

Oral history interview with Nittaya Parawong conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Stefani Evans, and Jerwin Tiu on March 17, 2022 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.

In this interview, Nittaya Parawong discusses her upbringing in Northeastern Thailand, her parents' restaurant and family recipes, and her business education in Bangkok, Thailand as a teenager. Wanting more than a corporate lifestyle, Parawong decided to immigrate to the United States, briefly living in Orlando, Florida before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls bussing tables at a local Thai restaurant and attending English classes at College of Southern Nevada (CSN) before opening her own restaurant, Jasmine Thai Gourmet, at the age of 25. Now, Parawong is the owner of Nittaya's Secret Kitchen, Nittaya's Little Kitchen, and Block9 Thai Street Eats in Las Vegas. She shares memories and traditions of Thai celebrations, her views on Buddhism, personal cooking philosophy, and restaurant offerings.

Archival Collection

Juliana Chen oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03849

Abstract

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

Avril "Juanita" Simmons and Fred "Bubba" Simmons oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03385

Abstract

Oral history interview with Avril "Juanita" Simmons and Fred "Bubba" Simmons conducted by Claytee D. White on May 21, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection.

In this interview, husband and wife Bubba and Juanita Simmons talk about their separate moves from Fordyce, Arkansas to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s and their impressions of the city after moving. Bubba shares stories of his employment at the Basic Magnesium, Inc. plant in Henderson and his experiences living in tents on the Westside, traveling to work with the help of Red Mitchell, and sharing living spaces with nine to ten other men. Juanita discusses her work as a family's caregiver and speaks to the kinds of occupations Black women obtained in Las Vegas at that time. The couple share stories of city life and the clubs, eateries, and shops that were present in the area.

Archival Collection

Fluff LeCoque oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-01091

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Fluff LeCoque conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 05, 1992 and May 21, 1992 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In these interviews, LeCoque discusses her early life in Montana and her career as a dancer. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947, singing at the Last Frontier Hotel with the Chuck Gould Orchestra, and traveling around the world in a dance troupe. LeCoque remembers performing at the Moulin Rouge in Los Angeles, California and working with Donn Arden. Later, LeCoque recalls dancing in Lido in Paris at the Thunderbird Hotel and becoming a theater company manager for Hallelujah Hollywood! at the MGM Grand Hotel-Casino. Lastly, LeCoque talks about integration of African American dancers in production shows.

Archival Collection

Grady Aitken oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02731

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Grady Aitken conducted by David Schwartz on June 03, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Aitken discusses his upbringing and early interest in the gaming industry. He remembers completing dealing school at the Harrah’s Casino in Reno, Nevada, working for Bill Harrah, and interacting with high profile players. Aitken talks about junkets, differences between casinos in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, and the licensing process to become a casino floor manager. Later, Aitken describes the opening of the MGM Grand Hotel in 1993, becoming a pit manager, and auditioning dealers. Lastly, Aitken discusses his role as Director of table games at the Westgate Las Vegas Casino Resort.

Archival Collection

Chris Davis, Debbie Davis, and Mynda Smith oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03442

Abstract

Oral history with Chris Davis, Debbie Davis, and Mynda conducted by Claytee D. White and Barbara Tabach on May 24, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Debbie and Chris Davis and Mynda Smith discuss the murder of their daughter and sister (respectively), Neysa Davis Tonks, at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival on October 1, 2017. They discuss plans to form Fifty-Eight Loved and Never Forgotten, a foundatio to help educate the children of the 58 families affected that night. Neysa, a single mother, left behind three sons, 24, 18, and 15 years of age. The family members recall how they were first alerted to Neysa's death, and having to locate and identify her body at the coroner's office twenty-four hours later. Chris, David, and Mynda reflect on Neysa's life, her work, and legacy. Debbie, Chris, and Mynda believe that "darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Neysa's light will shine forever."

Archival Collection

Scott Rayer Collection of Television Programs about Las Vegas, Nevada

Identifier

MS-01130

Abstract

The Scott Rayer Collection of Television Programs about Las Vegas, Nevada (1988-2023) contains digitized broadcast commercial television shows about various topics related to Las Vegas, Nevada that were recorded by Scott Rayer as his way of "airchecking" television content he enjoyed about Las Vegas, Nevada. The television programs represent a broad range of genres including entertainment, news, documentary, and talk shows on local and national television networks.

Archival Collection

Nevada Southern Campus Fund Collection

Identifier

UA-00144

Abstract

The Nevada Southern Campus Fund Collection (1955) consists of the Nevada Southern University Book of Donors. This oversized scrapbook contains the names of local businesses, politicians, and Las Vegans who donated over $50 to the Nevada Southern Campus Fund in 1955. Nevada Southern University later became the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Some names include Elks Lodge, Rotary Club of Las Vegas, and Junior League of Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Dan Lovil Audiovisual Collection

Identifier

MS-01165

Abstract

The Dan Lovil Audiovisual Collection (approximately 1970-2000) contains examples of commercial production work created by Dan Lovil who was a video tape operator in the televisions production industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. The collection includes examples of Lovil's work on commercials for local businesses such as Christensen Jewelers and Discount Furniture Mart as well as directing and editing Las Vegas City Council, County Commission meetings.

Archival Collection

UNLV Athletics Programs and Memorabilia Collection

Identifier

UA-00145

Abstract

The UNLV Athletics Programs and Memorabilia Collection (1974-2002) is comprised of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) athletics publications, team yearbooks, and game day programs for UNLV football and men's basketball teams. The majority of the collection documents the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team during the 1980s and 1990s. Other materials include Big West Conference programs and UNLV athletics memorabilia such as a pom-pom, football foundation member stadium seat cushion, plastic megaphone, and mug.

Archival Collection