“The minstrelsy of ancient cultures carried profound tales through their poetic compositions.”

“After emancipation in 1863, minstrelsy was taken over increasingly by black performers.”

“Tap dance evolved from plantation dances and minstrelsy, and the Broadway musical grew out of burlesque and operettas.”

“While having his meal, the stranger listened to the minstrel who was performing in the tavern.”

“When he was not occupied in imitating the famous deeds of his forefathers, he listened to the words of the minstrel who celebrated them.”

“Later in his career, Douglass became a vocal opponent of minstrel humor, performed either by blacks or whites.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the minstrelry at the Renaissance fair, as the traveling entertainers captivated the audience with their musical and poetic performances.”

“Sometimes, as here, valor among black minstrels consisted of exercising discretion and living to fight another day.”

“Celebrating day's end are sword-swallowers, trained dogs and cats, aerial artists, minstrels, fortune-tellers and bagpipers.”

“The minstrels, bedecked in red doublets and white hose, played upbeat tunes to which gardens of brightly clad nobles danced merrily.”