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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 Chinese dancers performing in a parade, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Chinese dancers performing in a parade, Seattle, circa 1953

In this image unidentified Chinese dancers perform with a dragon costume in a street parade, likely for Chinese New Year. The location appears to be Jackson Street in Seattle's Chinatown - International District. A crowd watches from the sidewalk in front of a record store and an optometrist's office.
ID Number:2014.49.010.046.0092
Date:Circa 1953
Image of Chinese dancers performing on stage, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Chinese dancers performing on stage, Seattle, circa 1953

In this image unidentified Chinese dancers perform with a dragon costume on a stage, likely for Chinese New Year.
ID Number:2014.49.010.046.0188
Date:Circa 1953
Image of Woman and boy standing on Elks parade float, Seattle, April  9, 1950
Photograph

Woman and boy standing on Elks parade float, Seattle, April 9, 1950

Here, woman and a young boy hold an American flag while standing on the "Black Elks" Lodge 109 parade float.
ID Number:2014.49.010.055.0189
Date:1950
Image of Portrait of Izzie Smith, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Portrait of Izzie Smith, Seattle, circa 1953

Isabelle "Izzie" (Donaldson) Smith, wife of the photographer, poses in an Asian-style silk jacket.
ID Number:2014.49.010.056.0190
Date:Circa 1953
Image of Eastside Hall, Seattle, circa 1951
Photograph

Eastside Hall, Seattle, circa 1951

The growing popularity of ballroom dancing and swing prompted the opening of numerous ballrooms around Seattle. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith took many photographs in and around the jazz clubs.This former movie theater at East Madison Street and 22nd Avenue in Seattle’s Central District later claimed fame as a dance and supper club. Ray Charles, Ron Holden, Jimi Hendrix and others…
ID Number:2014.49.11.02.01
Date:1951
Image of Eastside Hall exterior, Seattle, circa 1951
Photograph

Eastside Hall exterior, Seattle, circa 1951

The growing popularity of ballroom dancing and swing prompted the opening of numerous ballrooms around Seattle. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith took many photographs in and around the jazz clubs.Once known as the Gala movie theater at East Madison Street and 22nd Avenue in Seattle's Central District, the building shown here later claimed fame as a dance and supper club. Ray…
ID Number:2014.49.11.02.02
Date:Circa 1951
Image of Embassy Theatre at night, Seattle,1940
Photograph

Embassy Theatre at night, Seattle,1940

The Embassy Theatre on Third Avenue and Union Street in Seattle opened in 1926 with 1000 seats, men's and women's waiting rooms, spacious parlors, and a large Kimball organ. Originally a vaudeville house, the theater soon switched to films as public tastes changed in the late 1920s. The theatre was an active movie house until it closed it 1983. The…
ID Number:2014.49.013.035.0299
Date:1940
Image of Souvenir photo folder from the  Black & Tan Club, Seattle, circa 1945
Ephemera

Souvenir photo folder from the Black & Tan Club, Seattle, circa 1945

Seattle's Jackson Street jazz clubs flourished from World War II up until the early 1960s, when the Civil Rights movement broke down barriers barring African Americans from living and working in the larger community. Seattle-born photographer Albert J. "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008) was a familiar figure in the clubs, often taking pictures of patrons and friends, then returning the following…
ID Number:2014.49.13.05.01
Date:Circa 1945
Image of Souvenir photo folder from the Basin Street Club, Seattle, circa 1945
Ephemera

Souvenir photo folder from the Basin Street Club, Seattle, circa 1945

Seattle's Jackson Street jazz clubs flourished from World War II up until the early 1960s, when the Civil Rights movement broke down barriers barring African Americans from living and working in the larger community. Seattle-born photographer Albert J. "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008) was a familiar figure in the clubs, often taking pictures of patrons and friends, then returning the following…
ID Number:2014.49.13.05.02
Date:Circa 1945
Image of Wedding party group at Faurot's Ballroom, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Wedding party group at Faurot's Ballroom, Seattle, circa 1953

Hermina Despinasi, back right, and three other unidentified members of a wedding party pose together on the steps inside Faurot's Ballroom at 1214 East Pike Street.
ID Number:2014.49.014.009.0012
Date:Circa 1953
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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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