Stan Kenton gave a concert (January 8) and a dance (January 9) at the Prom.  (1954)

 

Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra performed at the St. Paul Auditorium on January 12, 1954, in conjunction with a “Parade of Youth.”  8 acts – singing – dancing – musical show

 

Ray Anthony played for the Sno-Ball on January 22, 1954, at the U of M Union Ballroom.

 

Percy Hughes and Oscar Frazier played at the “Tunic Twirl” for the U of M’s Greek Week.  The dance was on February 22, 1954, at the Prom, and admission was free if you wore a tunic.  Toga!!

 

The Dave Brubeck Quartet, with Paul Desmond on alto sax, performed at the Lyceum Theater on April 11, 1954.

 

The Blue Barron Orchestra performed at the Prom on April 23, 1954.

 

Louis Armstrong provided the music for the Stardust Dance at the U of M on April 24, 1954.

 

 

Martin and Lewis and the All Star Hollywood Revue – catering to all age groups from crib to cribbage – came to the St. Paul Auditorium on May 15, 1954.

 

The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, Twin Cities Division AFL Affiliate gave their annual dance at Stem Hall on May 21, 1954.  Percy Hughes and His Great Band entertained.  “The Ladies Auxiliary will crown the Twin Cities Queen during Intermission.”

 

Harry James and Buddy Rich came to the Prom on June 4, 1954.

 

Lionel Hampton, His Orchestra and Revue, appeared at the Minneapolis Auditorium on August 1, 1954.

 

In the fall of 1954, Bermuda shorts were all the rage for high school girls, accented with argyle socks.  Pink and black were popular colors.

 

Park High had a sock hop sponsored by the Red Cross, with prizes for the gayest socks.  “Soc” hops went back as far as 1950.  Another novelty was the “Turnabout” dance, where the girls did the asking, driving, and paying.

 

For some reason they were teaching dancing in Demonstration Speeches class at Park High.  “The girls were quite cooperative, but teaching the mambo to boys is like teaching it to a herd of billy goats,” remarked speech teacher Roger DeClerq.

 

“The Biggest Show” was scheduled for the Minneapolis Auditorium on November 5, 1954, featuring Billy Eckstine, Peggy Lee, Pete Rugolo, and the Drifters.  On October 30, 1954, the Minneapolis Tribune reported that the show had been cancelled.  Richard Morrison wrote in to further clarify that the last performance on the tour was October 30 in Des Moines and the rest were cancelled.  A similar show came through in 1957.

 

Ebony Social Club held its Grand Opening Dance on December 30, 1954, with music by Eddie Boyd and His Orchestra (Ellis Productions).  The next night, Prince Rogers and His House Rockers were the musical attraction.