The Queen City Brass Band's High-Stakes Ballroom Dance
In an era of strict social decorum, a Seattle brass band hosts an 'apron and necktie' ball at the Court House, strictly barring 'disreputable characters' to fund their new uniforms.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A grand apron and necktie ball will be given by the Queen City Brass Band on March 17 at the Court House, for the purpose of getting new uniforms. Their neckties will be for sale at Wright’s restaurant, Front Street. No disreputable characters will be admitted. Admission, 50 cents.
“No disreputable characters admitted.”
The social pressure of dressing to a theme is a timeless Seattle tradition, though today’s 'exclusive' galas are rarely held in the municipal courthouse. In 1885, as today, these public-facing events served as vital social infrastructure for civic organizations seeking to project professional status through their appearance.
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