Diaspora studies continue to expand in range and scope and remain fertile terrain for investigating multiple techniques of myth creation in dance performance, history as performance, dramatic narrative, and staged rituals in the field. Similarly, research in postcoloniality, gender/sexuality, intercultural, and literary studies, among others, all engage and feature core components of performance and myth in articulating and understanding their fields. This sharing of similar components also demonstrates the interrelatedness of these fields. In Myth Performance in the African Diasporas: Ritual, Theatre, and Dance, the authors contend that performance traditions across artistic disciplines reveal a shared—if sometimes varied—journey among diasporic artists to reconnect with their African ancestors. The volume begins with a historical and aesthetic overview of how dramatists, choreographers, and performance artists have approached the task of interpreting African myth. The individual chapters reveal how specific artists, dramatists, and choreographers have interpreted African myth and what performative approaches and traditions they have used. Focusing on theatre practitioners from the nineteenth century through the present, the authors examine performative traditions from Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Drawing upon research in theatre, dance, and literary texts, Myth Performance in the African Diasporas will be crucial to academics interested in African performance viewed through the prism of myth making and spiritual/ritualistic stagings. Besides those interested in diasporic studies, this book will also be useful to scholars and students of history, drama, theatre, and dance.

Myth Performance in the African Diasporas: Ritual, Theatre, and Dance

Literature & Fiction

Kuwabong, Dannabang

Olsen, Christopher

Brown, Benita

Dramas & Plays

Scarecrow Press

Author Chris Olsen is a Jamestown native whose mother was part of the welcoming committee supporting Lucille Ball's visit to her hometown seven decades ago, returning as an international superstar. His insider's account―in words and pictures―documents a visit in February, 1956, that was monumental in the lives of Lucy, Desi, and the residents of the small upstate New York town of Jamestown. Organized around the premiere of their MGM movie, “Forever Darling,” Lucy and Desi attended a host of media events in this whirlwind homecoming tour, and OIsen has carefully collected and curated the photographs and narrative surrounding the momentous occasion. This sensational visit of the hometown girl offers a previously unpublished view of an intimate yet very public episode of Lucy's life. Featuring more than 100 archival photographs, including Lucy greeting hordes of fans in the old football field behind Jamestown High School; waving to a crowd of onlookers during the “Welcome Home” kickoff that brought out the entire population; a visit to Lucy's former home in Celoron; appearances at the Crystal Ballroom in the Hotel Jamestown; and the warm and enthusiastic reception the stars received from the small town that Lucy once called home. Olsen's connection to all things Lucy has its origins with his mother, the former Janice Swanson, who unbeknownst to him until he discovered a photograph, was Lucy's “Homecoming Queen” during the visit. The author calls the book a love letter to both his mom and to Lucy. During his research, Olsen also discovered that Lucy considered her return to Jamestown “one of the best days of her life.”

Lucy Comes Home

Arts & Photography

Individual Artists

G Editions LLC

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Olsen, Christopher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Olsen, Christopher