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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 Earl Whaley's band on stage in Shanghai, China, December 20, 1934
Photograph

Earl Whaley's band on stage in Shanghai, China, December 20, 1934

Many American jazz musicians traveled to Shanghai during the city's golden age in the 1930s, when "the Paris of the Orient" was the newest horizon on an increasingly international jazz music scene. For Black musicians, who were often excluded from white musicians' unions in the U. S. and subjected to other forms of segregation, Shanghai provided steady, well-paid work, and…
ID Number:2016.84.2.10.1
Date:1934
Image of Earl Whaley's Orchestra photo collage, circa 1937
Photograph

Earl Whaley's Orchestra photo collage, circa 1937

Many American jazz musicians traveled to Shanghai during the city's golden age in the 1930s, when "the Paris of the Orient" was the newest horizon on an increasingly international jazz music scene. For Black musicians, who were often excluded from white musicians' unions in the U. S. and subjected to other forms of segregation, Shanghai provided steady, well-paid work, and…
ID Number:2016.84.2.10.2
Date:Circa 1937
Image of Earl Whaley's band, Shanghai, China, circa 1937
Photograph

Earl Whaley's band, Shanghai, China, circa 1937

Many American jazz musicians traveled to Shanghai during the city's golden age in the 1930s, when "the Paris of the Orient" was the newest horizon on an increasingly international jazz music scene. For Black musicians, who were often excluded from white musicians' unions in the U. S. and subjected to other forms of segregation, Shanghai provided steady, well-paid work, and…
ID Number:2016.84.2.10.3
Date:Circa 1937
Image of Exterior of Cinema 150, Seattle, 1970
Photograph

Exterior of Cinema 150, Seattle, 1970

This image was taken of United Artists Cinema 150 shortly after its opening on October 3, 1969 in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood at Sixth Avenue and Blanchard Street. This movie theater was the first in the Northwest to be equipped with the Dimension 150 (or D-150) wide screen process, had a 70-foot curved screen, and featured 850 rocking chair loge seats.…
ID Number:2017.4.1
Date:1970
Image of Black nativity handbill, 1999
Ephemera

Black nativity handbill, 1999

"Black Nativity" is a gospel style retelling of the Nativity story with an entirely African American cast that was first performed in 1961. A mix of Langston Hughes' poetry, gospel songs and the traditional nativity story, the production was performed in Seattle at the Intiman Theatre from 1997-2009. The popular show continues to be produced annually in local venues.This handbill…
ID Number:2017.59.25
Date:1999
Image of Black nativity program, 2007
Program

Black nativity program, 2007

Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity,” first performed Off-Broadway in 1961, opened in Seattle in 1998. Rev. Samuel McKinney (1926-2018) of the Mount Zion Baptist Church was the narrator, and Pastor Patrinell “Pat” Wright (1944-) and her Total Experience Gospel Choir provided the music. The show has been a popular part of Seattle’s holiday season ever since.In 2007 the show marked its…
ID Number:2017.59.31
Date:2007
Image of Seattle Theatre Company stock certificate, 1893
Document

Seattle Theatre Company stock certificate, 1893

This stock certificate for the Seattle Theatre Company was issued on December 20, 1893, to J. D. Lowman for 12.5 shares, valued at $1250. The company, of which Mr. Lowman was also president, owned the Seattle Theatre, located on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and Cherry Street. A prominent Seattle business and civic leader, James D. Lowman (1856-1947) also…
ID Number:2018.3.3.23
Date:1893
Image of Aida program, August 1927
Program

Aida program, August 1927

"Aida" is an opera in four acts composed by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni (1824-1893). Set in Egypt, it was commissioned by and first performed at Cairo's Khedivial Opera House on December 24, 1871. The opera has since been performed thousands of times all over the world, and remains a central piece in the operatic…
ID Number:2018.3.3.33
Date:1927
Image of Aqua Follies ticket order form, 1955
Ephemera

Aqua Follies ticket order form, 1955

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:2018.3.3.92
Date:1955
Image of Musicians' Mutual Protective Union of Seattle membership card, June 17, 1892
Ephemera

Musicians' Mutual Protective Union of Seattle membership card, June 17, 1892

Frank Buell Cade (1868-1954) came to Seattle in 1890, the same year that saw the creation of the Seattle chapter of the Musicians Mutual Protective Union (MMPU), Local 30 of the National League of Musicians (NLM) (later AFM Local 76, now AFM Local 76-493). Mr. Cade began working as a bookkeeper for the People & Knowles Sheet Metal Works (he…
ID Number:2018.3.3.105
Date:1892
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