File:Trianon Ballroom opening booklet, 1927 (MOHAI 11497).jpg

The Trianon Ballroom, located at Third Avenue and Bell Street, was an important entertainment venue in Seattle's musical history. One of several large dance clubs in the area which drew national Big Band talent, it was founded by hotelier John Edward Savage (1879-1958) and had a 30 x 135-foot dance floor that accommodated more than 5,000 dancers. Operating under Jim Crow-era policies of racial exclusion, African Americans weren't allowed entrance until 1940, when black community leaders convinced management to book a second performance by black drumming star Lionel Hampton (1908-2002) and his orchestra. After that, segregated shows were held on Monday nights. This pamphlet was printed in 1927 for the grand opening of the Trianon and includes empty spaces for filling in the names of dance partners as well as several pages of advertisements from local businesses. Opening at the same time was the Tri-a-non Dance Studios, which offered classes in all the "latest dances," including Fox Trot, Waltz, One-Step, Black Bottom, St. Louis Hop, Collegiate, Tango, and Slicker." The Trianon closed in 1956 when Mr. Savage moved to California amidst pending tax liens, and the building now houses office space at 222 Wall Street.

Caption information source: "Lionel Hampton Orchestra (with Quincy Jones) rocks Seattle's Trianon Ballroom on August 31, 1951," by Peter Blecha, HistoryLink.org Essay 10356. Caption information source: "Calling All Who Have Fond Memories of The Trianon Ballroom," The Seattle Daily Times, May 25, 1956, p. 30; and "Tax Lien Filed Against John E. Savage," The Seattle Daily Times, February 26, 1957, p. 19.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Dance cards; Dance halls--Washington (State)--Seattle; Promotional materials