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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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424 results for: Entertainment

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Image of Prom You Never Went To poster, Seattle, April 27, 1996
Poster

Prom You Never Went To poster, Seattle, April 27, 1996

The nonprofit Tacky Tourist Clubs of America was founded in Seattle in the early 1980s, and incorporated in 1988. The organization sponsored annual parties and events to raise money for other nonprofits, mostly those benefiting the local LGBTQ community. "The Prom You Never Went To" was first held in 1983 and became an institution in the local gay and lesbian…
ID Number:2007.25.58
Date:1996
Image of Greater Northwest International Rodeo poster, August 11-13, 1995
Poster

Greater Northwest International Rodeo poster, August 11-13, 1995

The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) was founded in 1985 when five smaller regional gay rodeo associations joined together. As of 2019, the IGRA supports over 5000 gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members in 25 local associations throughout the United States and Canada. The Northwest Gay Rodeo Association (NWGRA) was founded in 1990, originally representing Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and…
ID Number:2007.25.61
Date:1995
Image of Prom You Never Went To poster, Seattle, May 13, 1995
Poster

Prom You Never Went To poster, Seattle, May 13, 1995

The nonprofit Tacky Tourist Clubs of America was founded in Seattle in the early 1980s, and incorporated in 1988. The organization sponsored annual parties and events to raise money for other nonprofits, mostly those benefiting the local LGBTQ community. "The Prom You Never Went To" was first held in 1983 and became an institution in the local gay and lesbian…
ID Number:2007.25.63
Date:1995
Image of Rainier Valley Heritage Festival poster, Seattle, August 14-15, 1993
Poster

Rainier Valley Heritage Festival poster, Seattle, August 14-15, 1993

Run by the Rainier Chamber of Commerce and begun in 1992, the Rainier Valley Heritage Festival is held annually in August as a celebration of Southeast Seattle's diverse history and cultures, with opportunities for local businesses to connect to the community. In 2018, the festival paired with another Southeast Seattle community celebration, the Othello International Festival.This poster advertises the 1993…
ID Number:2007.52.3
Date:1993
Image of Aqua Follies program, August 1-13, 1956
Ephemera

Aqua Follies program, August 1-13, 1956

Aqua Follies, produced by Greater Seattle, Inc., was an annual summertime production performed at the Aqua Theatre, an open air stadium on the south shore of Green Lake. Debuting in 1950, Aqua Follies was one of the opening attractions of Seafair; sellout crowds came to see water ballet, comedy, dancers, singers, high divers, and a fireworks finale. The decline of…
ID Number:2007.64.1
Date:1956
Image of Grand Opera House program, 1907
Program

Grand Opera House program, 1907

The Grand Opera House, designed by Seattle architect Edwin W. Houghton, opened at 213-217 Cherry Street in 1900. Owned by theater impresario John Cort, The Grand Opera House included a basement beer and variety hall in addition to the 2,278-seat theater. The building survived a fire in 1906, but was already suffering the effects of competition from opening of the…
ID Number:2010.3.26.5.8.1
Date:1907
Image of Program for
Program

Program for "Dora Thorne" at the Seattle Theatre, November1906

The Seattle Theatre, designed by architects George Willis Lawton and Charles Willard Saunders, opened at the corner of Third Avenue and Cherry Street on December 5, 1892. The building included an auditorium that housed the theater, as well as a three-story office space. The Seattle Theater operated at that location through May 1915. The building was demolished that same year,…
ID Number:2010.3.26.9.31.1
Date:1906
Image of Aurora Speedway race program, 1936
Program

Aurora Speedway race program, 1936

The Aurora Speedway was built in 1932 as an expansion of Playland, a popular amusement park built in 1930 near Bitter Lake in Seattle. The oval track and large wooden grandstand fronted Aurora Avenue between North 130th and North 135th Streets. The park suffered a series of fires in the 1950s, and public interest began to wane as other means…
ID Number:2010.65.3
Date:1936
Image of Pigeon and Cat Show ticket, circa 1910
Ephemera

Pigeon and Cat Show ticket, circa 1910

The Annual Seattle-King County Poultry Association Show began in January of 1909, exhibiting poultry, pigeons (in association with the Puget Sound Pigeon Club), and cats (with the Seattle Cat Club). A variety of prizes and cups were offered, with local dignitaries and animal specialists from other states acting as judges. This first effort was billed as the "largest and most…
ID Number:2011.3.10.14
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Festival '71 poster, Seattle, August 13-15, 1971
Poster

Festival '71 poster, Seattle, August 13-15, 1971

Begun as "Festival '71" in 1971, Seattle's Bumbershoot has become one of North America's largest urban arts festivals, held annually over Labor Day weekend at the Seattle Center.This poster from the inaugural festival features a large photograph of a thumbs up, with the text "fun for everyone" across the thumb. The poster lists "Free Family Entertainment" hosted by the City…
ID Number:2011.49.1
Date:1971
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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.
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Phone: 206 324 1126
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