Entertainment

People in the 19th century needed a break from their daily toil, like all people in all times, even if it was something as simple as a family picnic. There were the other usual diversions — church socials, ladies’ societies, men’s clubs, the theatre and opera, etc. There were also traveling shows, like circuses and lectures. Panoramas — huge painted canvases on vertical rollers that scrolled across the stage, depicting foreign and exotic lands and cities — were also well-patronized. There were also competitions, among them the German sängerfests, musical competitions for singing groups.