Oral history interview with Heidi Sarno Straus conducted by A. D. Hopkins on April 04, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. In this interview, Straus discusses her personal history and the life of her father, Jay Sarno. She recalls living at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and describes what it was like living in casinos with her family. Straus discusses the opening of Circus Circus Hotel and Casino and hosting parties in the hotel rooms as a teenager. Lastly, Straus talks about the changes in her fathers’ hotels in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Terry Cavaretta St. Jules and Rejean St. Jules conducted by Claytee D. White on May 02, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Terry discusses her upbringing and early interest in trapeze performance. She remembers performing with her siblings, touring with her family, and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. Terry talks about performing at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino and Las Vegas production shows at the time. Later, Rejean recalls arriving to Las Vegas in 1982 as an acrobat and juggler. He describes performing in the
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Ronnie Bank conducted by Lael Byrd on November 30, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Bank discusses his personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his employment at the Las Vegas Hilton (currently Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino) and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Bank then describes nightlife and entertainment on the Strip in the 1980s, discrimination at night clubs, and West Las Vegas entertainment. He goes on to describe the riots following Rodney King’s death, the challenges with interracial relationships, and why families began moving away from the Westside. Lastly, Bank discusses working as a disc jockey (DJ) in Las Vegas, African American radio stations, and the development of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vadeem Volansky, Anastasia Popovich, and Amdrei Skoro conducted by Jan Biggerstaff in approximately 2008 for the Let;s Runaway and Join the Circus Oral History Project. In this interview, Volansky reflects upon his upbringing in Ukraine, his entrance into circus college, and his competitions before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to perform in shows such as Mystere. Popovich discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada, while her father worked in a show at the Circus Circus. She reflects upon having the show animals at home, how she trained for the circus, and eventually worked in the theater at the Aladdin, later Planet Hollywood. Skoro discusses his upbringing in Chelyabinsk, Russia, military operations before the city name was changed to Ozersk, and his entrance into circus school. Digital transcript available; no audio recording.
Archival Collection
Nora Luna (1971 - ), the daughter of Mexican immigrants, recalls her growing up experience in the Las Vegas Valley. During her childhood, she and her siblings frequently persuaded their father to take them out to eat to the Circus Circus buffet. She enjoyed playing the carnival games at the Circus Circus. She attended Las Vegas High School. In 1994, she graduated from UNLV with a degree in criminal justice. Her education inspired her to work with the community’s youth. She tutored children at the Y.M.C.A. of Southern Nevada. Luna also worked for a program, Anahuac, which sought to deconstruct some of the myths that often prevent Latinos from attending college. In Reno, Nevada she worked with non-profit organizations to implement evidence-based practices for youth development. Luna has worked for Nathan Adelson Hospice as the Director of Diversity and Grant Funding since 2008. She seeks to find culturally competent care for Latinos and ensures that the hospice provides informational r
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