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Keena Smith oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02197

Abstract

Oral history interview with Keena Smith conducted by Winita Frederick on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes what Las Vegas was like as a child, her upbringing in dance, and the significance that participating in the arts has on her life. Smith describes the auditioning process for shows in Las Vegas, her experience as an African American dancer, and being a cast member for The Lion King. Lastly, Smith talks about teaching dance courses at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Estelle and Julia Elliott oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03821

Abstract

Oral history interview with Estelle and Julia Elliott conducted by Vanessa Concepcion and Stefani Evans on December 2, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.

Twins Estrellita "Estelle" and Julieta "Julia" Elliott share their personal histories growing up in Cebu City, Philippines with their grandparents. They discuss moving to the United States to live with their parents after the death of their grandfather, and how they preserved their "tricultural" Castilian Spanish, Filipino, and American identities. After graduating from Stevens College, an art and academic school in Missouri, Estelle recounts marrying her husband and moving to Las Vegas where she gave birth to her daughter. Julia shares how she followed Estelle a few years later to Las Vegas, and the two women share their experiences as entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip. Both Estelle and Julia joined Minsky's Burlesque before becoming a permanent act in Siegfried and Roy's show at the Frontier Hotel. They also discuss their performances with Kirby VanBurch at the Aladdin's Abracadabra Show, dancing at the Playboy Mansion, and how Siegfried and Roy helped to diversify Las Vegas entertainment by incorporating dancers and performers of color, like the King Charles Troupe, into their shows.

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

Betty Francisco oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03575

Abstract

Oral history interview with Betty Francisco conducted by Joanne Goodwin on August 12, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Francisco opens her interview by discussing her early life in Arizona and California. Francisco then talks about her dance career in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting with her work at the Dunes Hotel. Francisco also discusses working for choreographer Harold Minsky. Finally, Francisco describes common dancer experiences, such as getting injured or sick.

Archival Collection

Charlotte Mugleston Kelly oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02145

Abstract

Oral history interview with Charlotte Mugleston Kelly conducted by Claytee D. White on August 07, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mugleston Kelly discusses attending Las Vegas High School and being a dancer in the Rhythmettes, Las Vegas High School's female dance group. She describes Evelyn Stuckey, the coach for the group, the performances the Rhythmettes had at different venues, and life in Las Vegas during the 1950s. Mugleston Kelly also talks about owning and operating liquor stores and bars with her husband, how Las Vegas has changed, and her family history.

Archival Collection

Alice Key oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01015

Abstract

Oral history interview with Alice Key conducted by Claytee D. White on February 17 and March 24, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview Alice Key discusses being a chorus line dancer at the Cotton Club in Culver City, California and then moving to Las Vegas, Nevada after her dancing career ended. She then talks about working as a reporter, her involvement with the civil rights movement in Las Vegas, and creating the first all-black television show in the country: Talk of the Town.

Archival Collection

Pete Menefee oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02654

Abstract

Oral history interview with Pete Menefee conducted by Su Kim Chung on April 14, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Menefee begins the interview by talking about his childhood in San Diego, California, where he took dancing classes starting at the age of ten. He discusses working as a dancer on shows starring Dick Van Dyke, Terry Gar, Goldie Hawn, and Elvis. Menefee recalls working in shows and musicals including Bye Bye Birdie, Fair Lady, and Viva Las Vegas. He describes his evolution as a costume designer and stage designer from his childhood creating miniature stages of Disney shows to creating costumes for shows on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada. He also talks about surviving the MGM Grand fire in 1980.

Archival Collection

Jerry Jackson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02277

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jerry Jackson conducted by Su Kim Chung on February 12, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jackson discusses his career as a dancer, choreographer, costume designer, and producer of shows in Las Vegas, Nevada and around the world. Jackson describes dancing at the Desert Inn, Moulin Rouge, Tropicana, and touring with production shows. He then recalls living in Las Vegas from the 1950s through the 1970s and compares the quality of show production throughout the years. He talks about his career with the production Folies-Bergere

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

Ron Tomlin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03893

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ronald (Ron) Tomlin conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Tomlin recalls growing up as child with his mother, Dorothy Dalton Tomlin, who started the Dotty Dee Dancers in 1952. Ron recalls spending much of his childhood with his grandmother while his mother toured the country with the Dotty Dee Dancers. In 1955, his father, Donald Sherwood Tomlin, opened a clothing store, Scottie's Clothing Store, in the Moulin Rouge shopping strip on the Westside of Las Vegas, where he sold the latest fashion trends to Black men. Ron traveled across country with his parents after high school, helped them run a small resort on the Russian River called the Bohemian Grove, and then began his photography career. Throughout his career as a photographer, he has photographed Mike Tyson, Naomi Campbell, and Elvis. Tomlin also talks about having a passion for dancing, like his mother.

Archival Collection