Appearing at the Orpheum Theater in February 1944:

• The Ink Spots
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Cootie Williams
• Movie “Around the World” with Joan Davis

The show moved to the RKO, with the movie “Whistling in Brooklyn”

The Daughter Elks presented the first dance to be given in ten years at the beautiful Plamor Ballroom, soon to be renamed the CIO Hall, 8th Street and 4th Ave So.  Jimmie Baker and His Gentlemen provided the music for the Grand Easter Dance on April 10.

The Friendly Ten Club held a dance on July 3 at the CIO Hall featuring Jimmy Tyler and His Blue Rhythm Boys.

Fletcher Henderson came to Stem Hall in the St. Paul Auditorium on November 6, 1944.  Tickets were $1.00.

The 11th Annual Credit Union Grand Ball was held at the Minneapolis Auditorium on November 11, 1944.  Bud Strawn and his orchestra played in the main ballrom for Al Wiklund’s jitterbug contest from 8 to 9 pm and for “modern dancing” from 9 pm to 1 am.  Wiklund taught classes on jitterbugging at Coffman Union at the U of M.  “King” Tommy Thompson, His Radio and Dance Band, played “old time” music in the Rathskellar from 9 to 1am.  6,000 people were expected.

Artie Shaw played the RKO Orpheum on December 4, 1944.  Frankie Carle played the same venue that month.

Paul Robeson performed “Othello” at the Lyceum Theater on December 11 to 13, 1944.  Also in the cast were Jose Ferrer and Uta Hagen.