Final answer:
Ragtime pianists primarily performed in dance halls, which were social hubs where working-class individuals gathered to enjoy music and dancing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ragtime pianists frequently played in venues that were part of the social and cultural fabric of the times. The options included private clubs, public parks, theaters, and dance halls. Based on historical accounts, ragtime, which emerged from the blending of black spirituals with Euro-American folk music, found its home in the underground world of red-light districts and interracial dance halls. These spaces were where black and white musicians together forged a new sound that was authentically Southern. As ragtime evolved and spread northward, it was also played in black-owned halls and became integral to the development of jazz music. Specifically, answering the student's question, ragtime pianists went to play in dance halls, where men and women from the working class would gather to dance and enjoy music after long days of work.