Stage Mother

How Anthona McNeil became the queen of local Las Vegas entertainment

Las Vegas was built on the backs of Black entertainment in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s — and today, that legacy continues through a new generation of leaders shaping the city’s cultural landscape. Among them stands Anthona McNeil, widely respected as a queen of local Las Vegas entertainment. A licensed promoter and owner of The AList.Biz, McNeil has spent more than twenty years cultivating stages, opportunities, and platforms for artists across the city and beyond. 

Originally from Detroit and raised in Los Angeles, McNeil’s connection to entertainment runs deep. Her career in Las Vegas reflects both passion and persistence in an industry known for its competitiveness and gatekeeping. Over the years, she has built a reputation not only as a promoter, but as a consistent advocate for quality live entertainment and for local performers seeking visibility in a global entertainment capital. 

McNeil is also recognized as the originator of Las Vegas’ annual “All White Parties,” events that have become a signature celebration of style, music, and community. Through her weekly programming, she continues to create dependable performance spaces for artists, serving as entertainment promoter for Paradise Place every Tuesday night and Mariposa every Friday night — venues where audiences can experience a curated lineup of professional, high-caliber talent. 

Her influence extends well beyond the city limits. McNeil has helped create international performance opportunities for approximately 200–300 entertainers, connecting Las Vegas talent with stages in China, Japan, and other global markets. For many performers, these opportunities represent career-changing exposure and expansion beyond the local circuit. 

At the center of McNeil’s work is a commitment to elevating professional standards while advocating for equitable access within the entertainment industry — particularly for Black entertainers navigating limited representation on the Las Vegas Strip. 

“It is especially difficult to receive bookings for Black entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip at top hotels and casinos,” McNeil explains. “But we always must be better than the rest when trying to be considered by top agencies representing the hotel and casino properties. I must be honest, currently you will see [non-Black] bands performing in the casinos doing R&B music.” 

Her observations reflect both the challenges and complexities of the entertainment ecosystem in Las Vegas, as well as her unwavering focus on excellence, opportunity, and representation. 

Through decades of work, Anthona McNeil continues to stand as a driving force in local entertainment — building stages, opening doors, and ensuring that Las Vegas talent is seen, heard, and celebrated both at home and abroad.