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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.

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872 results for: Performing Arts and Music

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Image of Ruby Bishop working in cabinet-making class, Seattle, January 19, 1972
Photograph

Ruby Bishop working in cabinet-making class, Seattle, January 19, 1972

Ruby Bishop (1919-2019) was born in Thurston County and was a well-known Seattle jazz singer and pianist for decades. Ms. Bishop was an active member of the American Federation of Music (AFM) Local 493 in Seattle, also known as the "Negro Musicians' Union," founded in 1918 as Local 458 when African Americans were excluded from Seattle's first musicians' union, AFM…
ID Number:2000.107.022.17.02
Date:1972
Image of Portrait of Ruby Bishop, Seattle, January 1983
Photograph

Portrait of Ruby Bishop, Seattle, January 1983

Ruby Bishop (1919-2019) was born in Thurston County and was a well-known Seattle jazz singer and pianist for decades. Ms. Bishop was an active member of the American Federation of Music (AFM) Local 493 in Seattle, also known as the "Negro Musicians' Union," founded in 1918 as Local 458 when African Americans were excluded from Seattle's first musicians' union, AFM…
ID Number:2000.107.022.17.03
Date:1983
Image of Patti Bown posing at piano at the New Orleans Restaurant, Seattle, March 23, 1989
Photograph

Patti Bown posing at piano at the New Orleans Restaurant, Seattle, March 23, 1989

Patricia Anne "Patti" Bown (1931-2008) was born in Seattle to a musically-talented family, and grew up during a musically rich period in the city. During her youth and education at Seattle University and Cornish School of Fine Arts, Ms. Bown was an active member of AFM Local 493, also known as the "Negro Musicians' Union," founded in 1918 as Local…
ID Number:2000.107.025.15.01
Date:1989
Image of Group setting up decorations at Chong Wa Benevolent Society Hall, Seattle, April 11, 1964
Photograph

Group setting up decorations at Chong Wa Benevolent Society Hall, Seattle, April 11, 1964

Huge Chinese fans, like the one shown here, were used as decorations for a Chinese opera program held at Chong Wa Benevolent Society Hall to benefit the local Chinese School. Held on April 29, 1964, the program was presented by the Luck Ngi Musical and Opera Society of Seattle (also known as the Chinese Musical Club), and featured one hour…
ID Number:2000.107.036.09.03
Date:1964
Image of Lucy Lee and Doo Chuen performing in Chinese opera, Seattle, November 26, 1984
Photograph

Lucy Lee and Doo Chuen performing in Chinese opera, Seattle, November 26, 1984

The Luck Ngai Musical Society (also known as Luck Ngi Musical Club, Luck Ngai Operatic Society and other variations) is a local amateur Cantonese opera group established in Seattle in 1935 to promote Chinese opera, support the local Chinese School, and raise funds for community causes. In November 1984, the group performed the traditional opera "Wang Siu Gun," about a…
ID Number:2000.107.036.11.04
Date:1984
Image of Lucy Lee applying make up for Chinese opera role, Seattle, November 26, 1984
Photograph

Lucy Lee applying make up for Chinese opera role, Seattle, November 26, 1984

The Luck Ngai Musical Society (also known as Luck Ngi Musical Club, Luck Ngai Operatic Society and other variations) is a local amateur Cantonese opera group established in Seattle in 1935 to promote Chinese opera, support the local Chinese School, and raise funds for community causes. In November 1984, the group performed the traditional opera "Wang Siu Gun," about a…
ID Number:2000.107.036.11.05
Date:1984
Image of Dorothy Cordova teaching Filipino folk dancing to children, Seattle, August 31, 1987
Photograph

Dorothy Cordova teaching Filipino folk dancing to children, Seattle, August 31, 1987

Dorothy (Laigo) Cordova (b. 1932) and Frederic Pilar “Fred” Cordova (1931-2013), both second-generation Filipino Americans, met and married in Seattle, where they devoted their lives to their family, to championing social justice issues, preserving Filipino American history, and empowering youth. In 1957, the couple founded the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle (FYA) to engage young people in activities that instilled…
ID Number:2000.107.041.21.01
Date:1987
Image of Tee Dennard of Black Arts/West, Seattle, February 21, 1980
Photograph

Tee Dennard of Black Arts/West, Seattle, February 21, 1980

Black Arts/West was Seattle’s first Black theatre and functioned as a three component program: theatre, dance, and an art gallery displaying the work of local and national artists. As a division of the Central Area Motivation Program, an anti-poverty agency, it was charged with getting young people involved and learning the necessary skills to survive and flourish in society.In this…
ID Number:2000.107.048.09.01
Date:1980
Image of Tee Dennard directing
Photograph

Tee Dennard directing "The Playground," Seattle, July 18, 1990

In this image, artistic director Teotha "Tee" Dennard gives Toby Christian pointers during a rehearsal for "The Playground," a musical by Seattle playwright E. Shockley, about the tough choices many young people face over drugs, friendship, family, and their future. Mr. Christian and his 35 fellow performers participated in the production, to be performed for the public at Garfield High…
ID Number:2000.107.048.09.02
Date:1990
Image of Tee Dennard directing
Photograph

Tee Dennard directing "The Playground," Seattle, July 18, 1990

This image of artistic director Teotha "Tee" Dennard was taken during a rehearsal for "The Playground," a musical by Seattle playwright E. Shockley, about the tough choices many young people face over drugs, friendship, family, and their future. The 36 performers, aged 9 to 19, participated in the production as part of a workshop through the city's summer youth employment…
ID Number:2000.107.048.09.03
Date:1990
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