Oral history interview with Billy Root conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on May 14, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Root begins by discussing his upbringing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he developed an early interest in being a musician due to encouragement from his father, who was also a musician. He describes playing baritone saxophone in the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing at the Apollo Theater in Ella Fitzgerald's orchestra, and going on tour with a predominantly African American jazz band in the Southern United States during segregation. Root details his interactions and impressions of various celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, attending Playboy parties, and eventually deciding to settle in Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses working as a professional musician in Las Vegas, where he performed in such casinos as the Dunes and the Desert Inn. He concludes by discussing his retirement and his family.
Archival Collection
The Mirage Hotel and Casino Photograph Collection (1989) consists of color slides and a color negative depicting locations around the Mirage hotel and casino in 1989. Images include exterior shots of the lagoon and volcano fountain and interior shots of the resort's amenities.
Archival Collection
The Sands Hotel Photograph Collection depicts entertainers, celebrities, events, amenities, and staff at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada from approximately 1952 to 1980. The photographs primarily depict entertainers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the Copa Girls performing in the Copa Room, the showroom of the Sands Hotel. The photographs also depict patrons gambling, events held in the Sands Hotel's ballrooms, banquets, the pool, rooms in the hotel, as well as Jack Entratter, the hotel'’s director of entertainment.
Archival Collection
The Grace Hayes Photograph Collection consists of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives from approximately 1890 to 1980. The collection includes personal photographs of Hayes and her son Peter Lind Hayes and publicity photographs from Hayes's entertainment career.
Archival Collection
The Donn Arden Photographs (approximately 1920-1989) contain photographs, negatives, and photographic slides of dancer and choreographer Donn Arden. The photographs primarily document Arden's life as a dancer and choreographer in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Paris, France, including performances at the Stardust Hotel, Desert Inn, and MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the Lido in Paris. The photographs also depict rehearsals, dancers, showgirls, Arden's friends and family, and performance locations.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wayne Rowe conducted by Claytee D. White on November 10, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rowe discusses his early life and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his employment at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino as a utility porter and joining the United States Army in 1966. Later, Rowe recalls going through the citizenship process, working as a bellman at Bally’s, and the opening of MGM Grand Hotel in 1973. Lastly, Rowe discusses Las Vegas nightlife and the development of the Strip.
Archival Collection
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
Oral history interview with Dwight (D. A.) Anthony Downey conducted by Claytee D. White on February 05, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Downey discusses his early life in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He describes the African American owned businesses on the Black Wall Street, and the community where he grew up in. Downey recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1977, being involved in the entertainment industry, and his employment with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the food service industry.
Archival Collection
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
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Floyd Sweets Harrison conducted by Claytee D. White on September 16, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Harrison discusses his upbringing in New York City, New York and his involvement in the King Charles Unicycle Troupe. He remembers joining the Ringling Bros. circus in 1968, touring around the country, and his experience as an African American entertainer during that time. Harrison talks about performing in Las Vegas, Nevada, the entertainment industry during the 1980s, and performing for community events. Later, Harrison recalls touring with Siegfried and Roy, and the King Charles Unicycle Troupe becoming an independent show in Las Vegas. Lastly, Harrison discusses the future of circus shows in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection