Can Can -
: Dancers rhythmically lift, shake, and swirl their long, ruffled petticoats.
: It is common for dancers to emit high-pitched screams and yelps throughout the routine. Can Can
The (or cancan) is a high-energy, acrobatic dance that originated in the working-class ballrooms of Paris around 1830. Originally a couple's dance derived from the quadrille , it is now most famous as a choreographed stage performance by a chorus line of women. Key Performance Features : Dancers rhythmically lift, shake, and swirl their
The tune most universally associated with the dance is the from Jacques Offenbach's 1858 operetta Orpheus in the Underworld . Originally a couple's dance derived from the quadrille
: Performers execute cartwheels, flips, and the celebrated grand écart (jumping splits).
: Notable moves include the port d'armes (holding one leg vertically by the ankle while turning) and the corkscrew (side kicks combined with a twisting torso). Music and Cultural Context
Watch this high-energy performance to see the signature high kicks and skirt work in action: The cancan, France's signature dance CBS Sunday Morning YouTube• Oct 11, 2015