Celebration of Music
Las Vegas may be known as the entertainment capital of the world, but it’s also home to some incredibly talented artists from all over the country. One such star is Darcus Speed Gates, a Kansas City native who has made her mark on the famed Vegas Strip. Recently, Gates received a wonderful honor when the City of Las Vegas officially proclaimed September 29, 2024, as Darcus Speed Gates Day. This day is set to commemorate her remarkable contributions to the music scene in Las Vegas.
Darcus Gates kicked off her music career in 1978, and over the years, she’s become one of the longest-performing artists in Las Vegas history. Having shared stages with big names like Frank Sinatra, Smokey Robinson, and Johnny Mathis, her voice and presence have captivated audiences. Gates recalls, “I spent nearly all my youth singing in Las Vegas. So to get the call, and to be honored on what would have been my mother’s birthday, what a huge honor.” It’s clear that music runs deep in her family; her mother was an opera singer who profoundly influenced her passion for performing.
Growing up in Kansas City, Gates left for Los Angeles chasing her dreams before finally landing in Las Vegas, where she left an indelible mark on its vibrant music scene. Her extraordinary talent garnered attention from the entertainment industry back then, with American Bandstand host Dick Clark often attending her shows and even Don Rickles humorously teasing her while she entertained the crowds.
But the spotlight has not dimmed on Gates since her years on the Strip. In 2023, she was awarded a regional Emmy Award for her touching performance in the charity project People Get Ready, which supported the noble cause of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and featured renowned names like Stevie Wonder and CeCe Peniston.
Gates returned to her roots in Kansas City full-time in the late 2000s and continues to be an integral part of the community. She hosts a weekly show called Darcus After Dark on Friday nights at the family-owned Gates Bar-B-Q on 12th Street, where she showcases local talent and fulfills her lifelong mission of nurturing emerging artists. The lively show, which begins at 8 p.m. every Friday, is not only a platform for local performers but also livestreamed for fans everywhere on social media.
To honor her achievements, Jackson County Executive Frank White is set to present Gates with a proclamation on November 4, and Kansas City’s Mayor Quinton Lucas plans to recognize her at an upcoming city council meeting. “Most people around here just know me as ‘Mrs. Gates’ and they might not know about Vegas,” Gates shares. “So to be recognized at home, that’s something special.”
As we look forward to the celebrations, it’s clear that Darcus Speed Gates’ legacy in both Las Vegas and her hometown of Kansas City is only just beginning. Whether it’s her remarkable performances or her commitment to uplifting local talent, her influence is profoundly felt. To learn more about her music and journey, you can visit her official website at Darcus.net.
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