Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Titanic exhibit pays tribute to ill-fated ship, passengers

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at [email protected].

Aren't we lucky to live in a city that can quickly move to make possible a public viewing of the magnitude of "Titanic: The Exhibition." Certainly popular, already this offering is drawing a positive response from locals and visitors of all ages. Once again, the Rio hotel-casino is using its handsome and very roomy facility on the second tier of Masquerade Village to provide historical displays to both educate and entertain us.

Last month, at the news conference to announce the exhibit's Nov. 5 opening, there was strong indication that this treasure trove would be in place for a year or more. When asked if there would be an educational partnership allowing for tours by area students, Thomas Roberts, Rio's vice president of development and leasing, indicated that some discussions have been held.

Unlike the "Treasures of Russia" collection which bedazzled us last year this precious salvage from the great Titanic is a joint presentation of the Rio with SFX Family Entertainment Inc. and falls under the strict guidelines of the RMS Titanic Inc. This public company, created for the sole purpose of protecting the wreck site as well as recovering and conserving the Titanic artifacts for public view, is also very sensitive to the emotional issues faced by families of those lost in the shipwreck.

Recently SFX Family Entertainment Inc., the Rio and RMS Titanic Inc. jointly extended invitations to a select audience to privately view this historic "moment in time." Guests, among them Bob Walsh, Denny Weddle, Bob Forbuss, Rob Powers, Jay Jones and Paula Francis, made their entrance through a corridor containing large portraits of those who first dreamed and later built the massive ships of the ill-fated White Star Line. On the walls of the spacious display area are many haunting quotes from passengers, crew and witnesses. Framed advertising and sailing schedules with their optimistic bent rub shoulders with lists of those lost -- a tragic reminder of the many families who died together.

In glass display cases, arranged for easy viewing, there are glimpses into the graceful design of the ship and its many fine furnishings, including china serving pieces, iron filigree from stairwells and a collection of vases. Coins, currency and clothing salvaged from the wreck site draw the eye and are explained by means of small signs or audio messages through the provided earphones. Equally engaging are the videos showing actual footage of the ship's construction, as well as exploration and salvage efforts.

The opening party included an elaborate dinner in Napa with menu selections chosen directly from records of what was actually served in the doomed ship's first class dining rooms. In keeping with the elegant mood, violinist Sasha Semenoff and his Romantic Strings played to a champagne-sipping crowd. "Titanic: The Exhibition" is open daily at the Rio from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Benefit event

As guests poured in the wines poured out ... into the commemorative glasses given to each guest at "Vintage Splendor in the Glass." Long a favorite with locals who zealously plan their strategies to taste all the best wines, this lovely event quickly made devotees among lucky visitors who chanced upon the wine tasting at the Tropicana hotel-casino. A benefit for the programming needs of KLVX Channel 10, this afternoon-into-evening occasion was handsomely supported by 50 wineries and hundreds of guests.

Irene Vogel, Denny Weddle and Charlotte Hill served as the trio of chairmen, with Tony Goitia of Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada once again lending his expertise and deft hand in directing the well-attended auction of rare wines. Adding to the day were the behind-the-scenes efforts of Friends of Channel 10 board members, among them Verlia Davis, Rodney Harbaugh, Alan Feldman, Tim O'Callaghan, Irwin Kishner, Richard Pfeifer, John Kuminez and Arthur L. Williams, Jr., president.

Mingling in the area of the delectable cheese, breads and fruit were supporters Carol Lightwood, Jo Gilkey and Larry Kurafsky, joined by Bill Hiers, vice president of food and beverage for the Tropicana, and Anita Moon of Saborn Bakery. Comedian Peter Anthony was an excellent choice as master of ceremonies and was seen with guests Sandy Windom and Stephanie Lawrence. Windom is gala co-chairman with Lois Khoury, of the "Festival of Trees and Lights" being held during Thanksgiving week at Paris Las Vegas -- a multifaceted spread of events that benefit the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada.

'Rent' party

A salute to the Las Vegas Hilton for its all-too-short run of "Rent." A runaway success across America, this vibrant, young-spirited musical drew huge crowds in the Hilton's showroom and gave affirmation that Las Vegas audiences are hungry for such productions. Adding to the pleasure of every performance was the live music played from onstage for both dance and song sequences.

Keeping true to established tradition, seats in the first two rows of the orchestra section were made available for $20 at every performance of the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning musical. As explained by "Rent" producer Kevin McCollum, this is in keeping with the spirit of the show and the vision of Jonathan Larson, the show's creator, who was himself a struggling artist. Larson's dream was to create a universal piece of musical theater that's available to everyone.

Following the opening night performance National Artists Corp. and the Las Vegas Hilton played host to a "Rent" company party. The late-night gathering was lush with good food and drinks served in The Nightclub with entertainment by Forward Motion. Mixing easily with the very talented cast was Louie Louie, who later supercharged most of them onto the dance floor when he took the stage.

Greeted by the Hilton's own Alan Hopper and Andy Maiden, arrivals to the reception included Marie Smithson, Andrea Roqueni, Laura Herlovich, Jacque Dvorak, Mike and Beverly Mykisen, Tom Bruny and Chuck Jorgenson, as well as Brittani and Cooper Holmes, who were celebrating their 17th birthdays on this sparkling evening. Bill Cranor, who brought "Rent" to our city, revealed that he'll showcase "Holly" -- the Buddy Holly story -- in February, also at the Las Vegas Hilton. Stopping in to receive his well-earned compliments on the evening was Dean Harrold, president-CEO of the hotel-casino. Also in the crowd of invited guests was Charlene Herst, now a partner in the Nevada office of Vanguard Media.

Staffers honored

Thanks to Wells Fargo and the UNLV Alumni Association, the UNLV faculty and professional staff employees with 25 years of service were recently honored at the third annual UNLV 25-Year Club Luncheon. Held at the Richard Tam Alumni Center on campus, this luncheon is a celebration of these fine individuals and their many efforts. Wells Fargo and the Alumni Association have co-sponsored the event since its inception in 1997.

New members inducted were: Dr. Leonard Zane, dean of the honors college; Dr. Frederick Bachhuber, chair of the department of geoscience; Dr. James Frey, dean of the college of liberal arts; Dr. Myrlene Lamancusa, associate professor of nursing; Dr. Mary Phelps, assistant professor of philosophy; Dr. Richard Soule, professor of music; Dr. George Urioste, professor of anthropology; and Dr. Satish Bhatnagar, professor of mathematics.

Listening attentively to the program were Wells Fargo executives Bryan Waters, Randy Campanale, Beth Casotti, Vanessa Yeager, Mike Manning, Randy Boesch and Jan Hansen. Nearby were Jim Ratigan and Kevin Page, both officers of the UNLV Alumni Association, and longtime supporter Mel Wolzinger, who was seen with Dr. Richard Flaherty, dean of the college of business, and Fred Albrecht, UNLV vice president for university and community relations.

A briskly paced luncheon set amidst a busy work week, the program included warm, but necessarily brief comments from Provost Dr. Douglas Ferraro and University President Dr. Carol Harter. Introducing the new members of the 25-Year Club were friends and colleagues including my longtime friend, Dr. Ken Hanlon, who serves as UNLV's assistant provost. Taking their turn at the podium as well were Dr. Paul Aizley, Dr. Mary Fitzgerald and others.

Lunching with pleasure were past inductees, among them Susan Jarvis, director of the Gaming Resource Center, Myoung-Ja Kwon, director of libraries, and professors Aldred McDaniels, Jerry L. Simich and Andrew Tuttle. Attending for the first time was Gene Hall, newly appointed dean of the college of education, who recently relocated from the University of Northern Colorado. Present with Hall were Terry Piper of student services, Barbara Cloud, Kari Coburn and University Regents Thalia Dondero and David Lee Phillips.

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