The Revival of Banned Dances:
A Worldwide Study
by Renee Critcher Lyons
The NCBLA congratulates our volunteer writer Renee Critcher Lyons on the publication of her book The Revival of Banned Dances: A Worldwide Study (McFarland), now available on shelves in a library or for purchase from a bookstore near you.
Throughout history, humans have used dance as a benefit for mind, body, and soul. In some cases, governments or churches have banned certain dances for a variety of reasons. The Revival of Banned Dances provides an exploration of dances banned around the world, then revived by a handful of brave proponents. The sixteen case studies--ranging from Argentina’s Tango and Cambodia’s Royal Classical Ballet to Brazil’s Samba and Ireland’s Step Dance--reveal the meaning of the dance to each culture and the importance of the art form to the creation of healthy sociological and political climates. Chapters detail each dance’s origins, technical steps and movements, costumes, music, and political history, providing an informative overview of the oppression of dance culture through history.
Renee’ Critcher Lyons is an assistant professor in the School Library Media Program at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, teaching children’s and young adult literature. Prior to her appointment at ETSU, she served as a school/instructional librarian for eight years at the elementary and middle school level and nine years at the high school/community college level. She is a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults and the Appalachian State University Masters in Library Science Program.
Renee’ Critcher Lyons is an assistant professor in the School Library Media Program at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, teaching children’s and young adult literature. Prior to her appointment at ETSU, she served as a school/instructional librarian for eight years at the elementary and middle school level and nine years at the high school/community college level. She is a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults and the Appalachian State University Masters in Library Science Program.
Be sure to check out these online articles by Renee on OurWhiteHouse.org:
