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869 results for: Performing Arts and Music

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Image of Marian Anderson concert program, March 1, 1938
Ephemera

Marian Anderson concert program, March 1, 1938

A group of Seattle women, all trained musicians, formed Seattle’s Ladies Musical Club in 1891. In 1900, the club inaugurated its International Concert Series, which ran for nearly a century. Famed African American contralto Marian Anderson was among the many well-known performers who came to Seattle under the auspices of the club.Although Anderson had won awards and acclaim, racial prejudice…
ID Number:1981.7337.33.1
Date:1938
Image of Ladies Musical Club poster with autographs, Seattle, 1991-1992
Poster

Ladies Musical Club poster with autographs, Seattle, 1991-1992

A vigorous women's club movement began to sweep the nation in the mid-nineteenth century, enjoying a heyday from the 1890s through the 1920s, born from women's desire to participate in civic activities despite being denied voting rights. Washington state women were no exception to the wide enthusiasm for informal volunteer societies dedicated to charitable efforts, self-improvement, and social reform. Seattle's…
ID Number:1981.7337.41.1
Date:1991-1992
Image of Program for LMC members' meeting, March 20, 1891
Program

Program for LMC members' meeting, March 20, 1891

The Ladies Musical Club (LMC) of Seattle was organized officially on March 2, 1891, during the heyday of the national women's club movement from the 1890s through the 1920s. The LMC was designed for the purpose of "developing the musical talent of its members, and stimulating musical interest in Seattle." In addition to providing funds to the Seattle Symphony, the…
ID Number:1981.7337.288.1
Date:1891
Image of Eighth grade girls in Greek costume on steps of Madrona School, Seattle, 1923
Photograph

Eighth grade girls in Greek costume on steps of Madrona School, Seattle, 1923

In this image the girls of the eighth grade at Madrona school pose on the steps outside the school, wearing costumes for their ancient-Greece-inspired performance at their graduation ceremony. The individuals are identified (in no particular order) as: Sophie Lundvall, Priscilla Storey, Dorothy Tenant, Charlotte Kinnear, Charis Pettie, Donna Bolch, Julia Smith, Margaret F. Thompson, Eugenia Ballis, Muriel Bearse, Dorothy…
ID Number:1982.158.4
Date:1923
Image of Irma Beatrice Hall in dance costume designed by Jessie Hall, 1935
Photograph

Irma Beatrice Hall in dance costume designed by Jessie Hall, 1935

Irma Beatrice Hall was the daughter of Jessie Hall, and older sister of Bessie Hall Dempsey (mother of Seattle actor Mark Dempsey). Jessie Hall operated a successful seamstress studio in Missoula and designed costumes for the vaudeville circuit. After her second marriage failed in 1922, Jessie moved with her daughters to Seattle. Irma and Bessie Hall studied classical ballet, folk…
ID Number:1982.172.51
Date:1935
Image of Bessie Hall Dempsey in costume holding two cats, Seattle, circa 1920<br />Walters Studio , Seattle
Photograph

Bessie Hall Dempsey in costume holding two cats, Seattle, circa 1920
Walters Studio , Seattle

Bessie (Hall) Dempsey (1914-1971) moved to Seattle as a child with her mother, seamstress Jessie (Des Champs) Hall, and her older sister, Irma Beatrice Hall. The sisters attended Broadway High School and the Cornish School of Fine Arts, where they studied classical ballet, folk dance, music theory, composition and choreography. Bessie was an excellent student and also studied physics, mathematics,…
ID Number:1982.172.58
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Bessie Hall Dempsey, circa 1930
Photograph

Bessie Hall Dempsey, circa 1930

Bessie Hall Dempsey (1914-1971) moved to Seattle as a child, with her mother, seamstress Jessie Hall, and her older sister, Irma Beatrice Hall. The sisters attended Broadway High School and the Cornish School of Fine Arts. Bessie and Irma Hall studied classical ballet, folk dance, music theory, composition, and choreography. Bessie was an excellent student and also studied physics, mathematics,…
ID Number:1982.172.60
Date:Circa 1930
Image of Bessie Hall Dempsey in costume, 1931
Photograph

Bessie Hall Dempsey in costume, 1931

Bessie (Hall) Dempsey (1914-1971) moved to Seattle as a child with her mother, seamstress Jessie (Des Champs) Hall, and her older sister, Irma Beatrice Hall. The sisters attended Broadway High School and the Cornish School of Fine Arts, where they studied classical ballet, folk dance, music theory, composition and choreography. Bessie was an excellent student and also studied physics, mathematics,…
ID Number:1982.172.64
Date:1931
Image of University of Washington Saxophone Trio in a skit, circa 1922
Photograph

University of Washington Saxophone Trio in a skit, circa 1922

Students at the University of Washington had a variety of musical groups. In this photo, taken around 1922, the men of the Saxaphone Trio put on what appears to be an old-fashioned cops and robbers melodrama. Webster & Stevens number: 103277
ID Number:1983.10.104.2
Date:Circa 1922
Image of Chorus girls at the Palace Hip Theatre, circa 1923
Photograph

Chorus girls at the Palace Hip Theatre, circa 1923

Seattle's Palace Hip Theatre, "Where everybody goes," featured vaudeville acts and feature films. In this photo, taken in the early 1920s, eight chorus girls in feathered headdresses lift their lacy skirts to show a little more leg. Most women wore long skirts at this time, and it was quite daring to show so much leg. Handwritten on sleeve: Palace Hip…
ID Number:1983.10.240.8
Date:1923
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