1. Entertainment of the 1800’s to the 1915’s
By: Kelly S, Lexi B, Hunter S, Sam S

2. Amusement Parks Technology of the trolley lead to amusement park
The parks had music, bathing beaches, games of skill and vaudeville.
There were parks at the end of the trolley line.
People were encouraged to go to the amusement parks on the weekends.
It was cheap to travel to the parks.

3. Ragtime 1880’s Most common in the South and midwest
Featured melodies with shifting accents over a steady, marching band beat
1899-Scott Joplin wrote “Maple Leaf Rag” this became a huge hit.

4. Jazz
New Orleans, a city with heritage that included African, Spanish, French, and Latin American influences
Popular marching band tradition
After Civil War, African American bands experimented with new styles “raggy rhythms”
Jazzed up versions of familiar melodies (hymns, blues)
Worked way into north along Mississippi River
1915-Jazz & Dances became national passion

5. Movies/Theater Theaters were called “Nickelodeons”
Played slapstick comedy with as many as 200,000 people per day.
Most popular movie in 1903: The Great Train Robbery
Movie Stars: Mary Pickford
Douglas Fairbanks
Charlie Chaplin
*Early movies were silent & accompanied by a piano player.

6. Sports Other Sports/Activities
New York Athletic Club & YMCA– focused on track and field events and gymnastics
Gyms: had different exercises
(Ex. Used Indian clubs, wooden rings, and dumbbells)
Spectator sports became popular.
(Ex. Boxing and Racing)
Boxing was only unpopular because it was violence.
*1890 Marquis Queensberry’s Code
Games involving teamwork were popular too.
(Ex. Football, baseball, basketball)
Other Sports/Activities
(Ex. Roller skating, bicycling, swimming, ice skating, sleighing, hunting, and fishing)
Swimming was considered an acceptable sport for women
Audiences enjoyed watching films as well.

7. Circus Circus train was introduced in 1872.
-transported the circus all over America
Often recruited young boys to advertise.
The acts & performers marched through many towns.