Oral history interview with Beryl Warren conducted by Claytee D. White on June 21, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Warren begins her interview by describing her early life in Mobile, Alabama in the 1940s and 1950s. She then discusses her young adult life in California as a telephone operator. Warren then talks about her marriages, her education at St. Dominguez College in California, and working for Motown Records as production assistant. Warren then discusses her husband, Mark Warren, a prominent African American television producer and director. She explains that she came to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993 when Mark wanted to buy a vacation home in the area. She then talks about how during the 1990s the couple had jobs in Las Vegas, but also commuted to work in Los Angeles on occasion, until her husband's death in 1999. She then describes how family tragedy led to her raising her grandchildren, and also take on some hobbies, such as gardening, in order to live an active lifestyle. Warren then discusses her life with her husband and her fondness for him, and having to teach her grandsons to be cautious around police while raising them in Las Vegas. Lastly, she recalls her community work and her service organization, Southern Nevada Collation of Concerned Women (SNCCW).
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Oral history interview with Pete Barbutti (also spelled Barbuti) conducted by Lisa Gioia Acres on September 24, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Barbutti begins his interview by describing why his last name is spelled two different ways. He then discusses his introduction to music which occurred when he learned to play the accordion. He describes learning to play Polish music as a child, his family and childhood, and the importance of music in his family. Barbutti then recalls his performance history during the 1950s in bands such as the Polka Dots, Overtones, and Millionaires. He explains that while in the Millionaires the band was booked to play Las Vegas, Nevada at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino. After the Millionaires broke up in 1962 he played the piano in Spokane, Washington. He then describes his role performing on the Steve Allen Show, how he got the job, and how the show lead to him working with Nat King Cole. He then discusses his family, their move to Las Vegas in 1955, and his guest performances on late night shows. Lastly, Barbutti tells an anecdote about proper venue set up and how performances can be impacted by poor planning and lack of knowledge.
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Oral history interview with Paulette Canty conducted by Claytee White on July 02, 1998 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Canty opens her interview by discussing her life in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1960s. Canty talks about being one of the first students to be integrated in the Las Vegas school system. She discusses how the Clark County School District prepared African American and white students for integration. She describes how integration was positive for herself, but that it was a negative experience for her sister and other African American students. Canty also talks about how African American children were raised at the time, discussing the values instilled in boys versus girls. She also talks about her experience working in the gaming industry including as a manager at Bally's Hotel and Casino. She discusses the treatment of African American employees by the gaming industry and labor unions.
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Oral history interview with Janet Kravenko conducted by Bridget Kelly on August 07, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Kravenko opens her interview by discussing the importance of dance to her family, and her early interest in becoming a member of the Bluebell Girls dance troupe. She describes the rules of touring as a Bluebell Girl and her experiences traveling the world for two years. She then discusses her first contract in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Lido de Paris show. She describes the daily life of a Bluebell Girl, and where they rehearsed and performed. Kravenko then talks about being a young performer in Las Vegas and the challenges of finding work. She also describes some of the famous people she worked with including Zsa Zsa Gabor and Major Riddle. Lastly, Kravenko discusses how her dance career changed after she became a mother.
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Oral history interview with Ruth Poirier conducted by Joanne Goodwin on February 05, 2003 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Poirier opens her interview by discussing her partner Doris Pressler, who had passed away before the interview. She describes Doris' upbringing, her role in the first band at the Roseland Ballroom in New York, and explains how an all-women band in the 1930s and 1940s was a phenomenon. Poirier then discusses her own history, including how she became involved in music and all-women bands, and how she met Doris. Poirier describes in detail the importance of music to her family, the types of music she played, and what it was like to be a musician during the Depression. She talks about her relationship with Doris and recalls early interactions with other gay youths. Poirer ends her interview explaining why she and Doris decided to settle in Las Vegas, Nevada, and describes their impressions and involvement with the local LGBTQ+ community.
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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.
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Oral history interview with Rosemary Tall Dehart conducted by Brigid Kelly on November 14, 2002 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Dehart opens her interview by discussing her upbringing in Wellingborough, England. She goes on to describe her dance career and receiving an offer to become a member of the Bluebell Girls dance troupe. Dehart talks about performing in Paris, France for shows and movie dance segments. She then discusses traveling from Paris to Las Vegas, Nevada to perform at the Stardust Hotel. Dehart describes the treatment of different types of entertainers and the choreography style of Donn Arden. She then discusses returning to the Stardust later in life to work as a roulette dealer. Dehart ends her interview with a discussion of advice for young dancers and why she chose to settle in Las Vegas.
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Oral history interview with Winnie Prince conducted by Irene Rostine on May 18, 1995 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Prince opens her interview by discussing her history in Las Vegas, Nevada, which began when she moved to the city in 1942. Prince describes her husband's experiences living in a Las Vegas tent city, and her life in St. George, Utah prior to her move to Las Vegas. She also talks about her brief employment at the Basic Magnesium plant just before the end of World War II. Prince discusses her job responsibilities at the plant, and the importance of accuracy in her job as a shell casting inspector. Lastly, she describes her husband's job as a guard at the Basic Magnesium plant and the ways rationing affected daily life, including commuting to work and feeding her family.
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Oral history interview with Mary Ward conducted by Irene Rostine on March 14, 2012 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Ward discusses moving to Nevada in the 1950s with her husband to live closer to his family. She describes living in both Pahrump and Las Vegas, Nevada, and the commute between both cities. Ward then talks about the various places she was employed including the County Commissioner's office and the local telephone company. She also worked as a telephone operator at the Frontier Hotel and Casino, Sands Hotel and Casino, and the Flamingo Hotel. She goes on to talk about the duties telephone operators had, how important the union was for telephone operators because of unfair retribution, lack of stability, and the need for worker's rights. Additional comments are provided by a person identified as Opal.
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Oral history interview with Vernon Bostick conducted by Robert McCracken on January 19-20, 2000 and February 04, 2000 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Bostick opens his interviews by discussing his family history and upbringing in a company-owned town in Colorado. Bostick talks extensively about his life in Colorado, his interest in nature, and working on his family ranch. He then describes his forestry management job for the state of Washington. Bostick discusses how his work eventually took him out West, and why he opened a consulting firm to facilitate relations between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and ranchers. He then talks about how his son's success working at the Nevada Test Site convinced him to take a job there in the 1960s. Bostick then discusses a variety of environmental issues and law specific to Las Vegas, Nevada. Bostick ends his interview discussing his opinions about environmental legislation and management.
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