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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

Mary Leo oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01102

Abstract

Oral history interview with Mary Leo conducted by Rafael Reyes-Spindola on February 27, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Mary Susanne Kaime Leo moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1952. In the interview, Leo discusses community interactions during her childhood, as well as her employment with the Tropicana Las Vegas and the Riviera Hotel & Casino in the restaurant and sales departments. She also discusses the lifestyles of showgirls she interacted with.

Archival Collection

Irene Tabor oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02887

Abstract

Oral history interview with Irene Tabor conducted by Claytee D. White on July 03, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Tabor discusses growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, her father’s employment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. She talks about being a teenager in Las Vegas, attending Las Vegas High School, and the businesses on Fifth Street. Tabor recalls her employment at the Dunes Hotel and Casino as a wardrobe artist for showgirls. Lastly, Tabor discusses activities she participated in as part of the Girl Scouts, her involvement in the sorority Beta Sigma Phi, and changes in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Kim Krantz oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01046

Abstract

Oral history interview with Kim Krantz conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on February 26, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Krantz begins her interview discussing her transition from an east coast dancer to a Las Vegas, Nevada dancer. Krantz discusses the performing scene at the time and the general distaste dancers had for showgirls. Krantz goes on to discusses the details of nudity in performances and the relationships show directors like Harold Minsky and Donn Arden had with their performers. Krantz also discusses her experiences as a dancer and her opinions about the treatment of African American dancers.

Archival Collection

Heather Victorson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01877

Abstract

Oral history interview with Heather Victorson conducted by Nancy Hardy on June 26, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Victorson discusses her early life in Nairobi, Kenya and London, England. She remembers being enrolled into the Royal Ballet School, and her experience dancing in show productions for the Royal Ballet Company. Victorson talks about winning a dancing audition that required her to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, dancing in the Lido de Paris show at the Stardust, and wearing showgirl costumes. Victorson describes lounge shows, working topless for the first time, and dancing in Vive les Girls. Lastly, Victorson discusses the future of Las Vegas dance shows.

Archival Collection

Alan Clancy oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02264

Abstract

Oral history interview with Alan Clancy conducted by Su Kim Chung on February 12, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview Alan Clancy discusses his childhood in Australia, performing all over the world starting at the age of 17, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at 21 because he got a contract to dance. Clancy also discusses the celebrities he has performed for, the showgirls he has worked with, gay life in Las Vegas, opening a vintage store with his partner, and his life and career in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Archival Collection

Nancy Williams oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01993

Abstract

Oral history interview with Nancy Williams conducted by Joyce Marshall on June 13, 1996 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Williams talks about her early life and career as a dancer. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1948, organized crime in Las Vegas casinos, and segregation of African American entertainers at the time. Williams remembers riding horses to and from casinos, the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) union, and early showgirl costumes. Lastly, Williams talks about retiring from dancing and establishing a school of dance in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Corinne Entratter Sidney, Charlotte Nort, Mary Neivans, Judy Jones, and Joy Blaine Garner oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01899

Abstract

Oral history interview with Corinne Entratter Sidney, Charlotte Nort, Mary Neivans, Joy Blaine Garner, and Judy Jones conducted by Su Kim Chung on January 11, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sidney, Nort, Neivans, Garner, and Jones discuss their early lives and recall their memories as members of the Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. They describe the audition process to become a Copa Girl, showgirl costumes, and the choreography that was created for their performances. The group recalls performing along famous singers, including Frank Sinatra, and the entertainment in Las Vegas during the 1950s and 1960s.

Archival Collection

Linda Spinks Alverson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01748

Abstract

Oral history interview with Linda Spinks Alverson conducted by Nancy Hardy on August 15, 2003 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Alverson discusses her early life in Isleworth, England and early interests in dancing. She talks about becoming a part of the Bluebell girls in Paris, France at the Lido and showgirl performing across the world. Alverson remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in in 1972, performing at the Stardust Hotel in the Lido de Paris, Hallelujah Hollywood!, Jubilee!, and Casino de Paris shows. Lastly, Alverson talks about the end of her career in dancing, transitioning into other fields of work, and becoming a cocktail server.

Archival Collection

Valerie Chapman Eliot oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02435

Abstract

Oral history interview with Valerie Chapman Eliot and Connie Pooley conducted by Su Kim Chung on January 30, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Eliot begins the interview by discussing her upbringing in England, her early dancing career in France in the Bluebell Girls dancing troupe, and working with Donn Arden. She continues, describing the other countries where she performed, including Argentina and Cuba, before eventually going to Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s to dance in productions at the Stardust Resort and Casino. She describes the life of a dancer, the differences between dancers and showgirls, and life in Las Vegas during the 1960s. Connie Pooley was also present for this interview.

Archival Collection