The Trianon Ballroom was a major music venue in Seattle from its opening in 1927 until its close in 1956. Founded by the former Butler Hotel manager, John E. Savage, the Trianon Ballroom operated with strict racially segregationist policies for many years. Savage attributed this policy to a non-existent law that he claimed prohibited "mixed [race] dancing" in Seattle. Despite the Trianon Ballroom's exclusionary practices, the club still featured some of the United States' most famous African-American musicians, such as Lionel Hampton and Quincy Jones. After local African-American community leaders pushed for more inclusive club policies, the Trianon Ballroom finally agreed to host additional shows that would be billed as "Colored Folks" nights. However, at least at the onset, the club required the African-American community to come up with their own sponsors for the event, and the Trianon continued to advertise the events with racially insensitive language.

This keepsake photo folder reads "Souvenir of a Pleasant Evening," with a drawing of a couple dancing while a big band plays in the background. A paper frame inside holds a photo of a smiling couple.

Caption information sources "Lionel Hampton Orchestra (with Quincy Jones) rocks Seattle's Trianon Ballroom on August 31, 1951.", Peter Blecha, 04/12/2013, Historylink.org Essay 10356
Caption information source: "Summary for 2505 3rd ST / Parcel ID 0656000160," Seattle Historical Sites, Seattle.gov