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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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878 results for: Performing Arts

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Image of Youth performing Chinese lion dance, Seattle, January 1, 1959
Photograph

Youth performing Chinese lion dance, Seattle, January 1, 1959

Seattle's vibrant Chinatown - International District neighborhood hosts an annual celebration of the Chinese, or Lunar, New Year, featuring traditional dragon and lion dances, Japanese Taiko Drumming, martial arts, and other cultural performances. The Chinese lion dance is performed in costume on big occasions to bring good luck, and is accompanied by beating drums, clashing cymbals, and resounding gongs.In this…
ID Number:2000.107.176.19.21
Date:1959
Image of Steve Sneed viewing restoration at Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, Seattle, April 11, 1993
Photograph

Steve Sneed viewing restoration at Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, Seattle, April 11, 1993

In 1969 the City of Seattle used federal Model Cities funds to purchase a building for use as a community center, the Chevra Bikur Cholim Synagogue, which was designed in 1915 by B. Marcus Priteca (1889-1971) and located at 104 17th Avenue South in the Central District neighborhood. In 1971 the building became the home of what is now known…
ID Number:2000.107.176.29.01
Date:1993
Image of Dennis Coleman conducting Seattle Men's Chorus rehearsal, November 26, 1990
Photograph

Dennis Coleman conducting Seattle Men's Chorus rehearsal, November 26, 1990

In 2016, Dennis Coleman (1949-) retired from the Seattle Men's Chorus, having served 35 years as artistic director of the organization, one of the largest gay men's choruses in the world. The chorus continues to be a treasured part of Seattle culture, touring widely, recording often, and performeding with the Seattle Symphony. In this image, singers watch director Dennis Colman…
ID Number:2000.107.177.01.01
Date:1990
Image of Cecilia and George White welcoming visitors at Daybreak Star Cultural Center, Seattle, March 8, 1985
Photograph

Cecilia and George White welcoming visitors at Daybreak Star Cultural Center, Seattle, March 8, 1985

On March 8, 1970, about 100 members and sympathizers of United Indian People's Council (later United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, or UIATF) occupied Fort Lawton, a 1,100-acre army post in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood. They were inspired by the passage of a bill signed by President Richard Nixon, which granted non-federal entities the ability to obtain surplus federal lands for…
ID Number:2000.107.178.14.01
Date:1985
Image of Alex Williams carving mask at Daybreak Star Cultural Center, Seattle, April 13, 1978
Photograph

Alex Williams carving mask at Daybreak Star Cultural Center, Seattle, April 13, 1978

Here, Nez-Perce carver Alex Williams shapes a piece of alder wood into a totem mask during a workshop at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center in Discovery Park. Indigenous artists taught painting, carving, and drawing at the Center to anyone who was interested, free of charge. Native Americans from throughout the Northwest were welcomed as participating artists at the center. The…
ID Number:2000.107.178.14.02
Date:1978
Image of Gypsy Gyppo String Band playing at Pike Place Market, Seattle, May 27, 1973
Photograph

Gypsy Gyppo String Band playing at Pike Place Market, Seattle, May 27, 1973

Between 1971 and 2008 the Pike Place Merchants Association hosted an annual Memorial Day street festival at the Pike Place Market. Proceeds from the festival went to the Pike Place Market Foundation to help improve the market.In this image the Gypsy Gyppo String Band plays "old-time stuff" for a crowd at the 1973 Pike Place Market Street Fair. The band…
ID Number:2000.107.179.21.03
Date:1973
Image of Guests dining at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, Seattle, August 8, 1990
Photograph

Guests dining at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, Seattle, August 8, 1990

Family-owned Dimitriou's Jazz Alley opened in Seattle’s University District in 1979. Its bistro setting and live music attracted a diverse audience. In 1985, Jazz Alley moved to its present location at 6th Avenue and Lenora Street in the Belltown area. The new, larger venue has allowed the club to attract name jazz bands and other performers, including Dizzy Gillespie, Bill…
ID Number:2000.107.185.19.05
Date:1990
Image of Diners singing at Weinstube Bacchus, Seattle, May 18, 1980
Photograph

Diners singing at Weinstube Bacchus, Seattle, May 18, 1980

Weinstube Bacchus was a German-style "wine room" emphasizing wine and classical music located in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne neighborhood at 4 West Roy Street. Marilyn Roy and her husband Bill Weis opened the small club in January 1979, hoping to provide a place for opera performers and fans to sing and enjoy music together in an informal setting. The club…
ID Number:2000.107.185.26.07
Date:1980
Image of Blaine School students in costume viewing Catharine Blaine plaque, Seattle, January 12, 1954
Photograph

Blaine School students in costume viewing Catharine Blaine plaque, Seattle, January 12, 1954

In 1853, Catharine (Paine) Blaine (1829-1908) and her husband, Reverend David E. Blaine (1824-1900), arrived in Seattle from Seneca Falls, New York. The Blaines were Methodist missionaries and David founded Seattle's first church, called the Little White Church. Catharine became Seattle's first teacher and school administrator when she was hired to teach children in a "select," or private, school located…
ID Number:2000.107.186.07.01
Date:1954
Image of Funeral procession for Yee Wai Yee, July 14, 1953
Photograph

Funeral procession for Yee Wai Yee, July 14, 1953

Yee Wai Yee was a Chinese-American businessman who owned the Golden Dragon Café in Tacoma. He was also involved and well-liked in the Chinese communities of both Seattle and Tacoma. Yee was an active member of the Chinese Nationalist Party and was president of the Hop Sing Tong, a social organization among Chinese-Americans. Yee died in Sacramento on July 3,…
ID Number:2000.107.188.37.01
Date:1953
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