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Barbara Davis oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-03610

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Barbara Davis conducted by Joanne Goodwin on December 18, 1996 and March 25, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Davis opens her interviews by discussing her audition for the Folies Bergere as a dancer with limited experience. Davis describes working with the Folies Bergere as a touring showgirl in the 1940s. She discusses touring the United States in the Folies Bergere, touring South America for three years, and going to college at night while performing during the day. Davis then talks about the city of Reno, Nevada and working as a showgirl there. Davis addresses common rumors about showgirls, such as being involved in prostitution or being addicted to gambling. She then discusses her interest in education in her later years including earning various post graduate degrees. Davis ends her interview with a discussion on classic entertainment of the 1940s, including vaudeville and entertainment hotspots of the time.

Archival Collection

Gloria Freeman Dell oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00414

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gloria Freeman Dell conducted by Claytee D. White on April 05, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Dell discusses her life as a Las Vegas, Nevada showgirl and her experiences in the entertainment industry. She describes working at the Flamingo Hotel and tells several anecdotes about prominent entertainers she met or performed with, including Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. Dell also discusses living in a barracks specifically for showgirls, being pursued romantically by Howard Hughes, and concludes the interview by singing a song from one of her former acts.

Archival Collection

Janis Walker oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01900

Abstract

Oral history interview with Janis Walker conducted by Claytee D. White on July 03, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Walker discusses her career as an African American showgirl in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1970s and 1980s. Walker describes dancing in the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino productions of Hallelujah Hollywood and Jubilee!, and what the life of a showgirl was like. She also talks about the company manager at the MGM, "Fluff" LeCoque, her own children, her work at the time of the interview, and how entertainment in Las Vegas has changed.

Archival Collection

Carye St. Claire oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03589

Abstract

Oral history interview with Carye St. Claire conducted by Claytee D. White on July 02, 2008 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. St. Claire begins the interview by discussing her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was born in 1948. She details riding around the city on a horse before the area became more developed and how she learned to dance. St. Claire discusses her career as a showgirl, the audition process, and performing at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino with comedian Richard Pryor. She describes performing at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino, being friends with the first African American showgirl, and her parents' reaction to her career choice. St. Claire also details the influence of Howard Hughes on Las Vegas, race relations in the city, and performing shows on ice.

Archival Collection

Corrine Sidney oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01697

Abstract

Oral history interview with Corrine Sidney conducted by Claytee D. White on June 05, 2007 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Corrine Sidney discusses her life as an actress, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a showgirl at the Sands Hotel and Casino, moving back to Los Angeles, California, marrying George Sidney, and moving back to Las Vegas with George.

Archival Collection

Valda and Esper Esau oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01058

Abstract

Oral history interview with Valda and Esper Esau conducted by Su Kim Chung on February 20, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, the Espers discuss their careers in entertainment. Valda Esper begins by describing her upbringing in Australia, learning to dance, and later going on to perform in various productions in Paris, France, as well as other European countries, before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958 to perform as a showgirl at the Stardust Resort and Casino. Esper Esau then describes his personal history, how he developed stage hand experience, moving to Las Vegas in 1954, and working shows with prominent performers, such as Liberace, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin. Esper continues, describing his specific job duties and why he transferred to the Stardust from the Sands Hotel & Casino. Valda discusses the life of a Las Vegas showgirl, the amount of work the position required, and how they were required to present themselves in public. The Espers recall how they met, life in Las Vegas during the 1960s, and opening a bed and breakfast after retiring from show business.

Archival Collection

Dolly Kelepecz oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00994

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dolly Kelepecz conducted by Claytee D. White on April 29, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kelepecz discusses her career as a ballet dancer, a performer in a circus, and a showgirl and dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada, especially in the Lido at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. She also discusses her time as a model, a pilates instructor, and running the Opus Dance ensemble. Kelepecz then discusses teaching a class at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Barbara and Norman Kaye oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-00989

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Barbara and Norman Kaye conducted by Claytee D. White on February 24, 2010, March 09, 2010, and December 06, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Barbara Kaye begins the interview by discussing her career as a showgirl and moving to Reno, Nevada in 1955 to work as a dancer in a show at the Mapes Hotel in 1955. She then talks about later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to dance at the Riviera Hotel & Casino. She also describes living briefly in Hawaii with her husband, Norman Kaye, his career as a musician, and the life of a Las Vegas showgirl. Norman Kaye discusses his career as a musician in the Mary Kaye Trio with his sister, Mary Kaye. He recalls when they performed at the El Rancho Hotel and Casino, Tropicana Hotel, and Sahara Hotel and Casino, as well as his songwriting outside of the group and being named the poet laureate of Nevada by Governor Grant Sawyer. Lastly, he talks about his career in real estate and his company, Norman Kaye Real Estate.

Archival Collection

Carolyn MacMullen oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02117

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Carolyn MacMullen conducted by Su Kim Chung on April 21, 2014 and July 07, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In these interviews, MacMullen discusses being a dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands, Desert Inn, and Sahara throughout the 1950s. She recalls working as a dresser and describes what it is like to be backstage during a show production. MacMullen then talks about changes in showgirl costumes, the Texas Copa Girls, and her decision to stop dancing. Lastly, MacMullen discusses living in the West Charleston area and changes in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Raya Meron oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02466

Abstract

Oral history interview with Raya Meron conducted by Claytee D. White on July 14, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Meron discusses her upbringing in Israel, moving to Istanbul with her husband, and immigrating to Canada after their divorce. Meron also talks about her career as a showgirl in Las Vegas, Nevada, including being in the Vive les Girls road show in 1965. She then discusses her involvement in helping Cambodian refugees.

Archival Collection