Six to be inducted into UNLV Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame

Two of the most famous and flamboyant acts ever to grace the Las Vegas Strip -- magicians Siegfried and Roy and pianist Liberace -- will be inducted into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Hall of Fame on Friday. The 6:30 p.m. ceremony at Artemus Ham Hall on campus, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, will be open and free to the public.

The Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV honors residents of Southern Nevada who have made a significant impact on the arts, including visual and performing arts and architecture.

This year's inductees also will include two-term former Nevada Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt-Bono, architect William E. Snyder and arts patron Bernice Fischer. Each will receive a Sidney Award, named for its first recipient, Oscar-winning director George Sidney.

Choosing Siegfried and Roy was a no-brainer, says Jeff Koep, dean of the college of fine arts.

"They helped put the modern Vegas on the map," Koep says. "They're excellent illusionists and there are very few people in the world who don't know who they are."

Liberace, who died of AIDS complications in 1987, was globally celebrated for his nimble ivory-tinkling and outrageous extravagance. His late recognition reflects the fact that UNLV didn't launch its hall of fame until 2004.

"He was doing the glitz and glam before it became so popular," Koep says. "In addition to that, he's a person who gave back to the city, and continues to do so through the Liberace Foundation."

Hunt-Bono's connection to entertainment is not well-known outside the business. But in the late '60s and early '70s, she performed at the Sahara, Tropicana, Las Vegas Hilton (then the International) and many other hotels as the frontwoman for the Lauri Perry IV. (Lauri is her childhood nickname, Perry her maiden name.)

"We're recognizing her both for her contributions to entertainment, and for transcending entertainment," Koep says.

A valley resident since 1978, architect William E. Snyder designed the D Gates at McCarran International Airport, the Henderson headquarters of his company (Tate Snyder Kimsey) and about 20 high schools, including Rancho and Green Valley.

Fischer has contributed millions to the arts, according to Koep, including about $1 million to UNLV.

Inductees are voted on by a 10-member fine arts advisory board. This year, the ceremony attendees will each receive a nomination form to fill out for the board's consideration.

A VIP reception will follow the ceremony at 8 p.m. in the nearby Foundation Building, giving attendees who pay $200 each a chance to meet Siegfried and Roy -- and the other surviving inductees -- in an intimate gathering with complimentary food and drinks.

Contact reporter Corey Levitan at clevitan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0456.