'It gives women a different view on dance': The cancan kicks its way into Victoria
The dance, which originated in 19th-century France, is a high-cardio workout, says instructor
A theatrical dance that was revolutionized by the Moulin Rouge is making a comeback in Victoria.
Taylia Martin, owner of Tough and Tender Dance and Fitness, is launching a series of cancan classes in the city after finding previous success in Kamloops.
Don't worry, you don't need to kick your leg up to your face to participate.
"I always say, 'Find your sweet spot,'" Martin told On the Island host Gregor Craigie. "Everybody has their own range of motion. So we go with that."
Still, anyone who's seen the dance — which originated in 19th-century Parisian dance halls — knows what to expect: plenty of hopping and high kicks. And don't forget the cartwheels and splits.
"You're going for a solid five minutes of that constant hop. It's good cardio for sure," Martin said.
Empowering for women
The cancan and its raised skirts were largely seen as taboo in the 19th century. Audiences attended in secret and police often broke up performances.
"It would have been very similar to going to a strip club for men," Martin said.
But when the famed Moulin Rouge in Paris adopted the dance, it evolved from risqué to stylized.
Men have also performed the cancan, particularly for the acrobatic portions. Still, it largely remains a female dance, Martin said.
Martin says her female students develop strength and find the classes empowering. She grew up watching her own mother performing the cancan.
"It gives women a different view on dance," she said.
Bright costumes included
The theatricality of the cancan is derived in part by its costumes.
Big, ruffled skirts — layered with at least three bright colours — and corsets are key to the performance.
Martin is carving out a portion of her class for students to design and sew their own ensembles.
"The brighter, the better," she said.
With files from CBC's On the Island