Liberace League formed to promote musician’s legacy

Somewhere, Liberace is smiling.

OK, it seems like Liberace was always smiling. But there's little doubt that Mr. Showmanship would be extremely pleased by the Liberace League, a group recently founded to perpetuate his legacy for generations to come.

"It was formed because a group of us young professionals really have gotten to know about Liberace and know his legacy through our association with Darin," said league co-chairman Karen Rubel, referring to Liberace Foundation Executive Director R. Darin Hollingsworth.

The legacy, of course, includes not only the music, over-the-top costumes and rhinestone-bedecked pianos of the late musician, but especially the scholarships -- more than $5 million to date -- that the foundation he founded distributes to students in all disciplines of the arts.

Rubel noted that as the league's members range in age from 25 to 40 years old, "none of us really remember seeing Liberace, certainly not seeing him in person." But all of them are members of the Las Vegas community, and Liberace, she said, "was such a great community member. The legacy of the scholarships impacts many young people in Las Vegas and across the nation."

The league currently numbers about 15 young professionals from various backgrounds, including education, the arts, the nonprofit sector, politics and the business sector. Dan Smith is co-chairman.

It's not a fundraising group per se -- "I think the funds will come as we get more exposure in the community," Rubel said -- but is working on raising awareness of Liberace, the foundation and an associated piano competition. Competition entries are due by Tuesday; live auditions are scheduled for Aug. 12 at the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana Ave., with a showcase scheduled for Sept. 9 at the museum.

For the Sept. 16 finals, Rubel said, the league is partnering with Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana Ave., which has facilities to provide for an audience of 750. Admission to the finals will be $10; proceeds, she said, will go to Family Promise, which works to help families who are about to become homeless stay together.

Rubel said league members volunteer at the Liberace Museum on the second Sunday of each month, when admission is free to Las Vegas residents, manning membership tables and talking to people about the league and their interest in Liberace.

"We don't ask for a huge time commitment," she said. Meetings are monthly at the museum. As for prospective members, she said, "I think that they have to have an interest in making contributions to the community -- some sort of interest in giving back, making a difference," and be roughly in the 25-to-40 age group.

Those interested in the league or membership are asked to call Shirley Swift at the Liberace Foundation & Museum at 798-5595, Ext. 16.

"He was a great man; it's a great legacy that he's left," Rubel said. "We're happy to help the foundation move forward with that and bring a new audience to Liberace."