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Virginia Minstrels




The Virginia Minstrels was a group of 19th Century American Entertainer s known for helping to invent the entertainment form known as the Minstrel Show . Led by Dan Emmett , the original lineup consisted of Emmett, Billy Whitlock , Dick Pelham , and Frank Brower .

Shortly after their formation, the group premiered at the old Chatham Square Theatre in New York City on February 17 , 1843 with what is generally considered the first full-length Blackface minstrel show. Unlike earlier blackface acts, the entire group appeared in blackface and costume, not just a featured singer or dancer; also unlike earlier blackface stage acts, their performance was structured as an entire evening's entertainment.

Among other things, they are credited with the songs " Jimmy Crack Corn " and " Old Dan Tucker ", which passed into American Folk culture.


External links

  • http://www.bussongs.com/songs/jimmy_crack_corn_blue_tail_fly.php



SEE ALSO



REFERENCES

  • Lott, Eric. ''Love and Theft: Blackface Minstrelsy and the American Working Class''. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993. ISBN 0195078322. p. 136 ''et. seq.''