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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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869 results for: Performing Arts and Music

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Image of Dancer performing at club, Seattle, circa 1948
Photograph

Dancer performing at club, Seattle, circa 1948

Here, a woman bellydances for a small audience at an unidentified Seattle nightclub, possibly the Basin Street on S. Jackson Street and Maynard Avenue S.
ID Number:2014.49.018.042.0091
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Marching band at the U.S. Post Office convention, Seattle, 1950
Photograph

Marching band at the U.S. Post Office convention, Seattle, 1950

The marching band from Seattle Branch 79 of the National Association of Letter Carriers plays at an unidentified hotel for the 1950 U.S. Post Office convention.
ID Number:2014.49.018.045.0098
Date:1950
Image of Neighborhood House youth band, 1954
Photograph

Neighborhood House youth band, 1954

Neighborhood House opened in 1906 as a settlement established by the National Council of Jewish Women to provide services to Jewish immigrants. In 1956, with the help of the Seattle Housing Authority, the agency secured building space in the Yesler Terrace community. Neighborhood House continues to serve the Central District, immigrant communities, and public housing residents of King County.Here, the…
ID Number:2014.49.29.01.10
Date:1954
Image of Pete Peterson playing saxophone for a group of servicemen, Seattle, circa 1944
Photograph

Pete Peterson playing saxophone for a group of servicemen, Seattle, circa 1944

Seattle's Jackson Street jazz clubs flourished in the first half of the twentieth century, with their popularity peaking in the late 1930s through early 1950s. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith was a familiar figure in the clubs, often taking pictures of musicians and patrons, then returning the following week to sell prints.On this occasion, Smith photographed a group of servicemen listening…
ID Number:2014.49.29.09.01
Date:Circa 1944
Image of Hazel Scott at the piano, Seattle, October 11, 1947
Photograph

Hazel Scott at the piano, Seattle, October 11, 1947

Hazel Scott (1920-1981), a classical and jazz pianist and singer, performed at Seattle's Civic Auditorium on October 11, 1947. MOHAI’s 2022 Curator’s Fellow Brittney Frantece explored the photographs in the Al Smith Collection for how they demonstrate Black worldbuilding in Seattle. Looking at this photograph, Frantece offered the following analysis:The Al Smith collection demonstrates that experimentation is key to worldbuilding…
ID Number:2014.49.36.01.01
Date:1947
Image of Dee Dee Hackett at the Union Club, Seattle, circa 1944
Photograph

Dee Dee Hackett at the Union Club, Seattle, circa 1944

Seattle's Jackson Street jazz clubs flourished in the first half of the twentieth century, with their popularity peaking in the late 1930s through early 1950s. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith was a familiar figure in the clubs, often taking pictures of musicians and patrons, then returning the following week to sell prints.On this occasion, Smith photographed blues singer Dee Dee Hackett…
ID Number:2014.49.071.075.01
Date:Circa 1944
Image of Youth band at Wilcox Music School, Seattle, circa 1955
Photograph

Youth band at Wilcox Music School, Seattle, circa 1955

Music teacher Louis Wilcox and his wife, Shirley ran the Wilcox Music School. Here, they stand behind a proud group of students on the day of a performance. Two students in the front row have been identified: Ed Washington (left) and Barry Wilcox (second from left).
ID Number:2014.49.092.008.04
Date:Circa 1955
Image of Vivian Dandridge dancing with a man at the China Pheasant, Seattle, 1953
Photograph

Vivian Dandridge dancing with a man at the China Pheasant, Seattle, 1953

Not all of Seattle's mid-20th century jazz clubs were on Jackson Street. The China Pheasant was a Chinese-run roadhouse casino on East Marginal Way South near Boeing Field that also featured jazz performances. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith was a familiar figure in Seattle's jazz clubs, where he often took pictures of musicians and performers.On this occasion, Smith photographed Vivian Dandridge…
ID Number:2014.49.092.012.04
Date:1953
Image of Nile Temple Band in front of King Street Station, Seattle, June 3, 1919
Photograph

Nile Temple Band in front of King Street Station, Seattle, June 3, 1919

In this image Nile Temple of Seattle musicians pose with their instruments in front of King Street Station. The band was part of a delegation from Seattle headed to Indianapolis for the 45th annual session of the Imperial Council, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, which was held from June 10-12, 1919. Handwritten on image: Nile Temple…
ID Number:2014.66.2
Date:1919
Image of KIRO Gold Shield Coffee orchestra in studio, circa 1940
Photograph

KIRO Gold Shield Coffee orchestra in studio, circa 1940

Gold Shield Coffee Hour sponsored a number of music programs on KIRO Radio during the 1940s. A 1941 ad in the Seattle Times advertised Gold Shield Coffee "30 minutes of music" with Max Dolin Sunday nights at 9:30, and Max Dolin's Gold Shield Coffee "Good Night" Fridays at 10:45. Dozens of entertainment programs such as the Gold Shield Coffee shows…
ID Number:2014.67.132.4
Date:Circa 1940
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