• Visit
    • Museum Accessibility
    • Community Access
    • Group Visits and Tours
    • Programs
      • History Café
      • MOHAI Mercantile Literary Series
      • First Thursday
      • Denny Lecture
      • Al Young Educator of the Year
      • Everyday Heroes
    • MOHAI Mercantile
    • Gourmondo at MOHAI
  • Exhibits
  • Events
  • Collections and Research
    • Collections Search
    • Themed Collections
    • Research Library
    • Image Ordering
    • Donate an Artifact
    • Curator’s Fellowship
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Membership at MOHAI
    • Gift Memberships
    • Corporate Support
  • Education
    • Field Trips
      • Self-Guided School Year Explorations
      • Creating Our Community
      • Cracking the History Code: Salish Stories
      • Cracking the History Code: Settling Around the Sound
      • Hands on History
      • Self-Guided Summer Field Trips
      • Homeschool Group
    • Portable Museum Program
    • Scholarships
    • Education FAQ
    • Primary Source Analysis
    • Online Curricula
    • Teen Programs
    • Idea Lab
    • Discovery Packs
    • Summer Camps
  • About
    • Annual Reports
    • The MOHAI Blog
    • Contact MOHAI
    • Opportunities
    • Leadership
    • Private Events
  • Donate
  • Tickets
  • Membership
HomeCollections and ResearchCollections Search

Collections Search

Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

Download lower resolution images directly from an item page. MOHAI offers high-resolution digital reproductions of photographs and other materials from our collections for personal and professional use.

We have many more items in our collections and not everything you see online is on view at the museum. We have additional materials online at the University of Washington’s Digital Collections.

MOHAI Statement on Harmful Content

Search by Collection

Not finding what you are looking for?
Ask the MOHAI Collections Staff

869 results for: Performing Arts and Music

Share:
Image of Three women standing in front of the Hughes Penthouse Theatre on the University of Washington campus, Seattle, May 1940
Photograph

Three women standing in front of the Hughes Penthouse Theatre on the University of Washington campus, Seattle, May 1940

The Penthouse Theatre on the University of Washington campus opened on May 16, 1940 with a production of "Spring Dance." Built with Works Progress Administration funds, the 172-seat theater, designed by Glenn Hughes, head of the University of Washington's School of Drama, and John Conway, chief designer for the drama department, was the first theater-in-the-round constructed in the United States.…
ID Number:1986.5.12660.1
Date:1940
Image of Roosevelt Theatre viewed from across Pike Street, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Roosevelt Theatre viewed from across Pike Street, Seattle, 1937

The Roosevelt Theatre with its Art Deco facade dates to 1933. Located at 515 Pike Street, it was demolished in 1986. Signs in image include: The Eagle Cigar Store. Home of the Green Apple Pie. 'Lost Horizon,' Frank Capra's Greatest Production with Ronald Colman and a Great Cast and Popeye Cartoon. Extra Late Show Tonight, Box Office Open Till 11…
ID Number:1986.5.12666.1
Date:1937
Image of Showboat Theatre interior showing actors during a production, University of Washington, Seattle, 1938
Photograph

Showboat Theatre interior showing actors during a production, University of Washington, Seattle, 1938

Handwritten on sleeve: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, (U.W.), Showboat Theater [sic]. Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): October 8, 1938.
ID Number:1986.5.16328.1
Date:1938
Image of George Burns and Carol Channing during the World's Fair in Seattle, June 1, 1962
Photograph

George Burns and Carol Channing during the World's Fair in Seattle, June 1, 1962

George Burns arrived in Seattle to start rehearsals with his partner Carol Channing in preparation for their variety show at the Orpheum Theatre. Miss Channing lights his cigar with a Space Needle lighter. The celebrities looked forward to visiting the Science Pavilion and getting a larger view of the Worlds Fair from the top of the Space Needle. Handwritten on…
ID Number:1986.5.20502.1
Date:1962
Image of Entertainer Gracie Hansen, the woman behind the Paradise International nightclub at the Seattle World's Fair, 1962
Photograph

Entertainer Gracie Hansen, the woman behind the Paradise International nightclub at the Seattle World's Fair, 1962

One of the most memorable women of the Seattle World's Fair, Washington State native Gracie Hansen was brash, witty and charming. Hansen ran the Paradise International on "Show Street," the adult entertainment section of the Seattle World's Fair. She hired Barry Ashton, a top showman, to produce "A Night in Paradise," a Las Vegas-type show that was as controversial as…
ID Number:1986.5.27554.1
Date:1962
Image of Group of UW students demonstrating stick dance, April 1954
Photograph

Group of UW students demonstrating stick dance, April 1954

This photo shows a group of five University of Washington international students demonstrating a bamboo stick dance, possibly the Tinikling, a traditional Philippine folk dance. The dance may have been part of an annual traveling show put on by international students at UW and performed at various Washington state locations. The production was broken up into acts from different countries…
ID Number:1986.5.30906.1
Date:1954
Image of Flute player at Earth Day gathering in Seward Park, Seattle, April 1971
Photograph

Flute player at Earth Day gathering in Seward Park, Seattle, April 1971

Handwritten on sleeve: Earth Day at Seward Park. Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): April 25, 1971.
ID Number:1986.5.54323.1
Date:1971
Image of Benefit rock concert at Seward Park for Pike Place Market, Seattle, 1971
Photograph

Benefit rock concert at Seward Park for Pike Place Market, Seattle, 1971

In 1963 Seattle City Council proposed razing the Pike Place Market in hopes of obtaining federal urban renewal funds. Opponents to the demolition banded together in organizations to "Save the Market." Fundraisers included concerts, selling shopping bags, cookbooks and buttons. After an eight year battle the Market was saved by Initiative No. 1 on November 2, 1971. Handwritten on sleeve:…
ID Number:1986.5.54480.1
Date:1971
Image of Japanese dancers performing at the Northwest bandshell at Festival 71, Seattle Center, August 1971
Photograph

Japanese dancers performing at the Northwest bandshell at Festival 71, Seattle Center, August 1971

Held in August 1971, Festival 71 was the first event after the 1961 Seattle World's Fair to utilize the entire Seattle Center campus. The event was repeated as Festival 72 the following year, becoming Bumbershoot in 1973. Bumbershoot continues as North America's largest urban arts festival, taking place annually at Seattle Center over the Labor Day weekend.In this photo, dancers…
ID Number:1986.5.54911.1
Date:1971
Image of Francis Renault in dressing room at Pantages Theatre, Seattle, January 17, 1927
Photograph

Francis Renault in dressing room at Pantages Theatre, Seattle, January 17, 1927

Antonio Auriemma (1893-1955) was a vaudeville performer who used the stage name Francis Renault. Renault was most well known as a female imitator, using cosmetics and an extensive wardrobe to impersonate actresses and other famous women of the time. Renault was also a talented singer and his act included falsetto singing. Renault performed in Seattle at the Pantages Theatre in…
ID Number:1986.5G.2506.1
Date:1927
Previous 1 … 16 17 18 19 20 … 87 Next

Land Acknowledgement

MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
  • Plan a Visit
  • Directions and Parking
  • Accessibility
  • Group Tours
  • About

Sign up to Receive our Newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright 2026, Museum of History & Industry. All Rights Reserved