On March 14 St. Louis Park High School janitor Carl J. Chrest won a television set on the national “Stop the Music” radio show.  He was able to identify the songs “Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo,” “Chopsticks,” and “Give My Regards to Broadway.”

Marian Anderson appeared at Northrop Auditorium with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra on March 17 and 19, 1950.

Spike Jones appeared at the Lyceum Theater on March 28, 1950.

A stage show starring Jack Benny, Rochester, Phil Harris, and Vivian Blaine took place at the St. Paul Auditorium Arena on May 19, 1950.

Dizzy Gillespie, “America’s Greatest New All-American Trumpet Star and his Entire Band,” appeared at St. Paul’s Flame on June 27, 1950.

The Phyllis Wheatley House hosted Percy Hughes and his orchestra with vocalist Dickie Mayes on September 22, 1950.

In October 1950, Echo reporter Joan Bye presented a record review called “Discs to Please Park.”  On the list were songs featured in movies and “Dance Date” records arranged and presented by Xavier Cugat, Les Brown, Tony Pastor, and Hall McIntyre.  For jazz fans, Stan Kenton’s “Innovations in Modern Music,” “The Cuban Episode,” and “Incident in Jazz” are recommended, and there are selections endorsed for Dixieland fans.  Park native David Lloyd was one of the performers to appear with the Minneapolis symphony orchestra that winter.

Bandleader Horace Heidt hosted a 2 1/2 hour musical review from the Minneapolis Auditorium on October 22, 1950, that was broadcast nationally over CBS radio.

Gopher Elks Lodge #105 sponsored their annual Big Cabaret Dance at the St. Paul Auditorium Veterans Hall on November 20, 1950.  Entertainment was by the Percy Hughes Orchestra with the “dynamic singer Dickie Mayes.”

A Holiday Hop at Stem Hall on December 22, 1950, featured the music of the Percy Hughes Orchestra with vocalist Judy Perkins.

The Sheiks of Rhythm was St. Louis Park High’s resident Swing Band.  Members were Jack Bassart, director, Bob Anderson, Bob Bechtold, Dewaine Osman, Norma Domian, Alan Lecklitner, Darleen Thorson, Bill Harrison, and Art Lunow.  The Toga Tri girls organized a Fish Dance, featuring Spike Lee’s younger brother Pike Lee and his Fish Scalers…