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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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415 results for: Entertainment

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Image of Hazel Smith dancing in crowd, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

Hazel Smith dancing in crowd, Seattle, circa 1947

This double exposure shows two superimposed images of a crowd dancing. The women near the center of the photo, with arm raised, is identified as Hazel Smith. Written on negative sleeve: Jazz / Eagles / Jimmy Lunceford
ID Number:2014.49.002.025.0086
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Jitterbug dancers, Seattle, July 13, 1941
Photograph

Jitterbug dancers, Seattle, July 13, 1941

Jitterbuggers dance energetically at a Fats Waller concert in Seattle. Waller played only one show in Seattle, at the Moore Theater on July 13, 1941. Written on individual negative sleeve: Fats WallerWritten on negative page: Jazz / Faurot's / Eagles
ID Number:2014.49.002.031.0129
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Dance at the Eagles Club auditorium, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

Dance at the Eagles Club auditorium, Seattle, circa 1947

Couples dance at a crowded event at Seattle's Eagles Club auditorium, 1416 7th Avenue. Written on negative page: Eagles Auditorium / Andy Kirk / Les Huoht [?]
ID Number:2014.49.002.033.0142
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Couple dancing, with onlookers, Seattle, circa 1944
Photograph

Couple dancing, with onlookers, Seattle, circa 1944

A couple dances at an unidentified Seattle venue sometime during World War II. Many of the onlookers are in military uniform. Written on negative page: Jazz Local
ID Number:2014.49.002.036.0171
Date:Circa 1944
Image of Don Alexander and Charlena Mace dancing at ROOTS Family Picnic, Seattle, 1984
Photograph

Don Alexander and Charlena Mace dancing at ROOTS Family Picnic, Seattle, 1984

The tradition of the ROOTS family picnic began in the early 1970s when Arline and Letcher Yarbrough invited to dinner a group of close friends they hadn’t seen in many years. Those who attended agreed to establish more regular get togethers. Word went out to the “Old Timers,” as they called themselves, to come to a reunion at Seward Park.…
ID Number:2014.49.04.010.11
Date:1984
Image of Three people posing at the Black Elk's Club, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Three people posing at the Black Elk's Club, Seattle, circa 1953

The Elks fraternal order was racially segregated until the late 20th century and the local Black chapter in Seattle was a popular nightclub with a racially mixed, but mostly Black, clientele. Here, two unidentified women are standing on either side of a man in uniform at the Black Elk's Club, 600 Jackson Street. The woman on left is wearing a…
ID Number:2014.49.006.027.0077
Date:Circa 1945
Image of Couple dancing in front of  band at Savoy Ballroom, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Couple dancing in front of band at Savoy Ballroom, Seattle, circa 1953

Here, a couple dances in front of Al Pierre's band at the Savoy Ballroom. The man is in uniform, and the woman is in a sweater and a mid-length skirt. Al Pierre is on the piano, and trumpeter Leon Vaughn is second from the left.
ID Number:2014.49.006.027.0078
Date:Circa 1945
Image of Woman attending a dance, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Woman attending a dance, Seattle, circa 1953

The Elks fraternal order was racially segregated until the late 20th century and the local Black chapter in Seattle was a popular nightclub with a racially mixed, but mostly Black, clientele. Here, a woman in a mid-length printed dress leans against a half-wall at a dance at the Black Elk's Club, 600 Jackson Street. She has a flower in her…
ID Number:2014.49.006.027.0080
Date:Circa 1945
Image of Two people dancing at house party, Seattle, circa 1972
Photograph

Two people dancing at house party, Seattle, circa 1972

Seattle photographer Al Smith began taking photographs as a hobby as a teenager and continued documenting his experiences, both abroad and at home, throughout his life. Best known for his photos of Seattle's Jackson Street area jazz clubs and musicians, Smith also photographed family, friends, and local people in their everyday lives. Here, Smith photographs two people dancing at a…
ID Number:2014.49.008.012.0109
Date:Circa 1972
Image of Members of the Royal Esquire Club on steps of Collins Field House, Seattle, September 11, 1949
Photograph

Members of the Royal Esquire Club on steps of Collins Field House, Seattle, September 11, 1949

The Royal Esquire Club is a private African American men's club in Seattle, founded in 1947 by five young Black men, as there was no welcoming venue in the city where they could socialize. Still active as of 2025 and now located in the Columbia City neighborhood, the club provides a space for social interaction, education, and entertainment for its…
ID Number:2014.49.010.003.0005
Date:1949
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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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