Liberace Museum Celebrates 23rd Anniversary
With Major Expansion

The Liberace Museum, one of Las Vegas' most popular destinations, celebrated its 23rd anniversary with a major expansion and remodel. The Grand Opening ceremonies kicked off on Thursday, May 30, 2002 when Liberace's favorite magicians, Siegfried & Roy, made their entrance in Liberace's mirror-covered Volks Royce convertible to cut the rhinestone-encrusted ribbon. Liberace Scholars and local musicians provided entertainment for the event, which was free to all Nevada residents.

The new Museum is divided into five major galleries: the Car Gallery, the Piano Gallery, the Costume Gallery, the Awards Gallery and the Grand Gallery, which features special and traveling exhibits. Also on exhibit is a recreation of Liberace's Master Suite from the Cloisters, his Spanish-style hacienda in Palm Springs.

The goal of Leo A Daly architect Frank Dumont was to physically capture the virtuosity of a Liberace musical performance - curvilinear shapes covered in a vast flowing musical score, with piano keys playfully dancing across the facade. The cylindrical glass entrance foyer is surmounted by an oversized pink neon piano and a giant rendition of Liberace's famous signature. Every element of the design is grand and overscaled to evoke the late entertainer's flamboyant style and musical accomplishments.

Eighteen of Liberace's rarest pianos are on display, including his favorite, a hand-pained French Pleyel Concert Grand. Visitors can also see Liberace's rhinestone-covered Baldwin, used in the finale of his last performance at Radio City Music Hall. Among the famous sequined, jeweled and feathered costumes is Liberace's black diamond mink, lined in more than 40,000 2 1/2 karat Austrian rhinestones.

Connecting the various galleries is a "Walk of Honors" comprised of bronze plaques in the sidewalk that mark Liberace's legendary career highlights and achievements. Next to the walkway is the new outdoor Record Garden Patio, a perfect venue for special events.

The Liberace Museum is located at 1775 East Tropicana Avenue (at Spencer), Las Vegas, NV 89119-6529, 702-798-5595. It is a non-profit organization that supports the work of The Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts. Since 1976, the Foundation has funded over $4.5 million in scholarships for the arts.

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