Debbie Reynolds Exhibition continues through Oct. 26

By Debbie Hall

Debbie Reynolds is an iconic star who influenced the movies, Broadway, and Las Vegas. The Persona. The Person: Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas celebrates her time in the glitz and glamour of the neon capital. The Neon Museum has curated and opened this exhibit to the public inside City Hall’s Grand Gallery through Oct. 26.

Debbie first performed in Las Vegas in 1962 and continued with a variety of shows through 2014, including appearing at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Desert Inn, and South Point Hotel Casino & Spa. Debbie purchased a hotel and casino close to the Strip in 1992, opened in 1993 as the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel, and sold the property in 1999.

She had briefly opened a museum devoted to Hollywood in her casino. Debbie loved the entertainment industry and worked hard to preserve its history. Her exquisite gowns, costumes, and memorabilia are part of the display in partnership with Reynolds’ son, Todd Fisher, and the Debbie Reynolds Estate.

“What we wanted to accomplish was to give people the opportunity to dive into Debbie Reynolds' stage presence and persona, who entertained hundreds of thousands of people. We also wanted to showcase her personal life, the triumphs and tragedies that she shared during her performances,” said Aaron Berger, Executive Director of the Neon Museum. “What we have on display is a drop in the bucket of Debbie’s estate and Todd [Fisher’s] collection. We kept our story specific to Las Vegas.”

In the exhibit is Debbie’s Academy Award for her lifetime achievement, awarded to her during the ceremony in 2014. Along with entertaining audiences, Debbie was also honored for her efforts to preserve historical films and for her humanitarian work to fight the stigma of mental illness.

The outfit Debbie wore during her last performances at the South Point in Las Vegas is also part of the display. The evening show that concluded over 50 years of performing in the city took place in 2014, where Debbie shined in an elaborately beaded gold dress and jacket designed by costumier Jeff Billings. Her daughter, son, and granddaughter, Billie Lourd, joined her onstage to entertain the packed house.

After signing Las Vegas’ first million-dollar contract at the Riviera, Debbie wore her famed, red-beaded tuxedo while headlining at the Strip property. The production at the Riviera was a homage to vaudeville tradition dating back to the 1880s, and the show mixed musical performance with comedy and dance. Debbie was able to interact with the audience in this genre.

“My mother’s legacy will continue to live on in Las Vegas with this exhibition that The Neon Museum has put together. The stage was her second home, and this display really gives visitors a look into her deep love of performing in the city and some of the most iconic moments in her entertainment career,” said Todd in a press release.

Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that collects, preserves, studies, and exhibits iconic Las Vegas signs for historical, educational, arts, and cultural enrichment. The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has accredited the Neon Museum in 2021. Follow @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and visit neonmuseum.org.

The exhibit, with information written in English and Spanish, is free for all ages to view in the Grand Gallery of City Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 26. The exhibition was made possible by a grant from the City of Las Vegas Centennial Commission, funded by the Las Vegas License Plate sales. South Point Hotel Casino & Spa provided additional support.

Community invited to celebrate Historic Commercial Center on Oct. 21

Written by Debbie Hall

Photography by Isabel M. Castro

The Historic Commercial Center District World Village will commemorate 60 years with an open house on Oct. 21. The Native American holistic healing ceremony, starting at 11 a.m., will honor the Southern Paiutes. There will be an installation of new sidewalk murals, a chalk art competition, and a community festival until 7 p.m. Along with music, food, art and entertainment, a 60-year music montage will feature its heritage along with horse and buggy rides.

The celebration will debut the 55-minute walking tour through its mid-century landscape. Guests will learn the fascinating history of the modernization of Las Vegas, highlighting the history involving the Rat Pack, mob ties, rock stars (Jim Morrison, The Rolling Stones and Elvis) and Las Vegas luminaries, including Liberace.

This tour will also feature the 60-year history of Las Vegas as a leader in business and commerce, inspiring contemporary design such as Town Square, which took a cue from Commercial Center. One of the newest tenants, The Composers Room, will open soon in the space that was once Commercial Deli—the hangout of the Rat Pack.

Paula Sadler, president of the Commercial Center Business Association and Historic Society, has carefully curated this tour. Over 19 years of research have gone into this tour to reveal little-known facts and hidden gems not known to the public to highlight this Las Vegas icon.

The visual delights of Las Vegas' largest public Artwalk was founded in 2007 by Paula and founding artist Howard Freeman. Along with curating the art events for the celebration, Paula’s goal is the ArtWalk project (freeparkandartlasvegas.com), being developed to become the largest off-the-strip free public art walk and sculpture garden. Paula, owner of A Harmony Nail Spa, opened her business in Commercial Center in 2004 and has served as president of the association since 2005.

Chris Mazzone, broker and owner of Mazzone Commercial, represents 140,000 square feet of property for lease in Commercial Center. An artist, James Henninger (Facebook @303NorthStudio) who worked in Commercial Center, designed his logo.

“I want to support all of the tenants in the center and he is an amazing artist,” says Chris.

Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom's (D-District E) representation includes Commercial Center and reenacted the redevelopment agency. Another native Nevadan, Clark County Commissioner Ross Miller (D-District C), has joined with Commissioner Segerblom.

“Long-time Las Vegas residents will remember Commercial Center as being the heart and soul of Las Vegas. It is an area that is so rich with the history of Vegas and ripe for revitalization,” says Commissioner Miller.

Also scheduled to premiere later this year is a monthly slate of arts programs for the community that the UNLV College of Fine Arts will present in partnership with Clark County and the association.

In 1963, the Historic Commercial Center District opened and became the location of high-end retail spaces, hot clubs, cool places to eat and drink and the center of Las Vegas. Iconic and other luminaries shopped, ate, drank and hung out in the many businesses including still-open John Fish Jewelers. In the center, one of the hottest nightclubs, State Street, was owned and operated by Gianni Russo, actor (who played Carlo in The Godfather), author, singer and restauranteur.

The center has become a place to cultivate music, arts, entertainment and entrepreneurship, as well as a place for the community to thrive, create and flourish. Arty’s Steakhouse and The Composers Room are two new businesses opening, as well as the renovation of Lotus of Siam's original location. For more info, visit commercialcenterdistrict.com.

The Design Of Sphere to Headline The Neon Museum’s Duck Duck Shed’s Oct. 7 Events

The Neon Museum’s second annual Duck Duck Shed will wrap up on Saturday, Oct. 7, with a multitude of events featuring a deep look into the design and architecture of some of Las Vegas’ most iconic landmarks. Headlining events include an in-depth look at Las Vegas’ newest landmark Sphere with architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne; a mid-century movie night featuring a double-screening of the classic movies “Ocean’s 11” and “Viva Las Vegas” at The Beverly Theater; an introduction to architecture for children at The Neon Museum; and more.

Additional Duck Duck Shed events on Saturday include a walking tour that will explore downtown Las Vegas’ architecture; a tour of The Neon Museum’s Neon Boneyard diving into architecturally specific insights into the Las Vegas properties of yesterday and today; and more.

Below is a list of all events:

OCTOBER 7:

Duck Duck Shed for Ducklings: An Introduction to Architecture: Children of all ages can come design their dream house by creating a floor plan and then building it. This family learning event will be available to better understand the role of architects. This event is sold out to the public.

October 7 at 10:30 a.m. at The Neon Museum

The Architecture + Design of Sphere: Engage in a dialogue with architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne for an in-depth look at Las Vegas’ newest and most talked-about landmark in terms of architecture and urban design. October 7 at 1 p.m. at The Beverly Theater

Mid-Century Movie Night at The Beverly Theater: Take in a night at the movies at the new Beverly Theater downtown. Enjoy complimentary libations and food while watching a double-feature screening of “Ocean’s 11” and “Viva Las Vegas.”

October 7 at 5 p.m. at The Beverly Theater

The Persona. The Person: Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas: Stop in at the Grand Gallery of Las Vegas City Hall and learn about legendary actor, singer and dancer Debbie Reynolds. “The Persona. The Person: Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas” explores this talented trailblazer’s impact in Las Vegas from her years performing at the Riviera, Desert Inn, and South Point to owning the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel.

October 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grand Gallery of City Hall Las Vegas

Local Lore of Downtown Walking Tour: Join a small group for a two-hour walking tour of the legendary casinos and glittering neon signs that reside in downtown Las Vegas led by renowned local historian Richard Hooker. October 7 beginning at 10 a.m. at Golden Nugget’s Grand Ballroom

By Architects for Architects (and Enthusiasts!): A Tour of the Neon Boneyard: Partake in a walking tour at The Neon Museum’s Boneyard – housing many of Las Vegas’ decommissioned signs – led by Eric Strain. The tour will provide architecturally specific insights into the properties of yesterday and today as well as the architects and designers who created them.

October 7 at 6 p.m. at The Neon Museum

Viva Las Vegas Movies: The Neon Boneyard serves as the backdrop; this tour will explore the properties featured in iconic films from the all-time greats, and cult classics to lesser-known independent films in which Las Vegas has played a role.

October 7 at 9 p.m. at The Neon Museum

Duck Duck Shed is presented by The Neon Museum and supported in part by a grant from the City of Las Vegas Centennial Commission which is funded by sales of the Las Vegas license plate. All programming is offered on an a la carte basis so attendees can attend the programs of their choice and that best meet their schedules. For full details on event programming and to sign up for any of the tours, exhibits or lectures, visit duckduckshed.com and follow @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.