Links 10-28-10 (Barbebleu)

Miscellaneous Links:

http://www.sal2009.com/view.php?video=vrc8G34uVbQ&feature=youtube_gdata&\
title=Can+Can+Can+Video+by+etzi

(21st Century Impressionism)

http://www.volksfreund.de/storage/pic/totallokal/saarburg/aktuell/163733\
5_1_IMG_0388.JPG-G6K2M64EH.1-ORG.jpg

http://tele.premiere.fr/var/premiere/storage/images/tele/news-photos/la-\
france-a-un-incroyable-talent-photos-les-candidats-en-images-4-4/swing-p\
aradise-french-cancan/30757844-1-fre-FR/SWING-PARADISE-FRENCH-CANCAN_ref\
erence.jpg

http://www.lamanchelibre.fr/-Le-french-cancan-fait-aussi-recette-dans-no\
s-campagnes,1.media?a=12152

http://www.cultureshop.fr/upload/affiche/712.jpg

http://img.webme.com/pic/t/tsv1909wirtheim/cancan3.jpg

http://www.rot-weisse-funken.de/news_archiv.htm

http://www.rot-weisse-funken.de/Fotoarchiv/Saison2009/Festabend1200/inde\
x.html

(Scroll down about 2/3 of the way down the page)

http://www.1200jahre-frickhofen.de/

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vrc8G34uVbQ/0.\
jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sal2009.com/index.php%3Fkey%3Detzi&usg=__1r95Y2\
akuPlWOdAyVn1CpUXxQiI=&h=360&w=480&sz=9&hl=en&start=37&zoom=1&tbnid=Fp9h\
gmcMA-4S_M:&tbnh=127&tbnw=165&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcancan%2Bturnier%26hl%3\
Den%26sa%3DG%26as_st%3Dy%26biw%3D1276%26bih%3D595%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&\
iact=rc&dur=266&ei=7jeFTODzNISXnAfEqeU9&oei=7DeFTI3uEsH88AbWxsFc&esq=2&p\
age=3&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:37&tx=85&ty=42

http://www.hirschau.de/rechts/news/2007/admin/upimages/1he_s_120807.jpg

http://www.westernfest.tonkifreunde.de/country-_und_westernparty.html

(Don't forget the video - too small, but nice)

http://gewichtheben.blauweiss65-schwedt.de/?page_id=22

http://assets.acasatv.ro/assets/acasatv/2009/09/17/image_galleries/1208/\
astazi-in-aniela-spectacol-incendiar-de-cancan-si-primul-sarut-dintre-ra\
du-si-aniela_14.jpg

http://www.acasatv.ro/serial-romanesc-de-epoca/astazi-in-aniela-spectaco\
l-incendiar-de-cancan-si-primul-sarut-dintre-radu-si-aniela.html

(Click on the thumbnails too)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15883295@N04/4956364490/

http://www.emgevents.com/Tempo/versions/v_emg_02/images/themed_events/mo\
ulin_rouge/lge_moulin_rouge_1.jpg

(Exceptional shot)

http://www.turnerme.com/images/moulin1.jpg

http://clipart.coolclips.com/300/wjm/tf05376/CoolClips_vc112018.jpg

http://www.postersguide.com/posters/margaret-kelly-dancers-of-england-pe\
rform-french-cancan-routine-on-stage-at-moulin-rouge-nightclub-4742233.h\
tml

http://www.spotlightstageschool.co.uk/SG/assets/images/Showgirl_Website_\
Images__7_.jpg

http://www.vintage-clothing.net.au/moulin_rouge__can_can_multi_color_cos\
tume

http://www.popset.com.au/moulinrouge.php

http://www.partycreationsla.com/Dance_Shows_for_private_and_corporate_ev\
ents.html

http://www.whitehorsestudio.com/dolls/dolls_cancan.htm

http://www.licensingworks.us/live/?p=999

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1524487.stm


Barbebleu

Cabaret Rouge

I highly recommend you spend some time with Cabaret Rouge, the London
based cancan troupe which performs at the WamBam Club, if not in person
then at the following sites, which will, in fact, take some time. I have
given the current Flickr links to the beginning index page of the photos
for the performances given on or near the dates below, but they will
probably change as photos are added, so use the dates as your guide as
needed. Each performance entails a number of photos, so you may need to
advance to the next index page in some cases as you look at them. I
think some of these links may have been posted before, but I wanted to
bring together in one place the entire collection as it stands today. If
you've seen some, enjoy them again.

Most of these were photographed by Craig Swatton at the club, and the
collection includes a wealth of great performance photos. These are
excellent considering the motion of the dance and the theater lighting.
Another set of excellent photos below was taken by KBTimages.co.uk
(uk_photo_art) at this year's Bastille Day event in Battersea Park.
Lastly, there is a great 720p video of the Bastille Day dancing.

The extensive collection of Cabaret Rouge photos at Flickr also includes
photos of the other cabaret acts at WamBam and other venues, which
include near topless photos. It looks like the entire show would be a
great night's entertainment..

WamBam Photos (mostly by Craig Swatton):

10-9-2010:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page11/

9-19-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page39/

8-22-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page71/

8-14-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/with/4897036712/

7-18-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page106/

6-20-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page122/

6-6-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page127/

5-31-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page130/

4-11-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page169/

4-7-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page173/

4-4-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page176/

3-21-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page192/

3-7-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page202/

2-14-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page213/

1-24-2020

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page218/

1-5-2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabaretrouge/page220/



Bastille Day Photos (by KBTimages.co.uk (uk_photo_art)) - July 11, 2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukphotoart/page26/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukphotoart/page27/



The video can be seen at Cabaret Rouge's site or at You Tube:

http://www.cabaretrouge.co.uk/gallery/cancan.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYuMkZuDYYI

Cabaret Rouge's home page is:

http://www.cabaretrouge.co.uk/

It lists upcoming performances, which extend through the end of the
year. I'm not sure if the cancan is performed at all of them. I wish I
were able to attend myself.



Craig Swatton can be found at:

http://www.craigswatton.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Craig-Swatton-Photographer/127213192262



KBTimages.co.uk (uk_photo_art) can be found at:

http://www.KBTimages.co.uk



Barbebleu

Links 10-19-10 (Barbebleu)

Miscellaneous Links



http://tolucantimes.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/T26-10-COVER-Beyond2\
.jpg

http://www.lorcher-raupen.de/assets/images/Echo_19.02.2004_Bild_3.jpg

http://www.muensterschezeitung.de/storage/scl/mdhl/fotostrecken/lokales/\
mz-mlz-evz-gz/greven/greven/2010/07-2010/schuetzenverein_vosskotten_flot\
h_50_jahre/1907465_m0w756h504q75v30340_KOMMERSABEND___50_JAHRE_SCHTZENVE\
REIN_VOSSKOTTEN-FLOTH___-MAR-_15.jpg

http://www.uwe-radant.com/SeiteNews.html

(Yes, there are some photos here - a little more than a third of the way
down the page)

http://www.kolping-korbach.de/images/archiv/09karneval/kar0913g.jpg

("Remember, we must show restraint, Ladies")

http://www.stadttheaterverein.at/nelkenball09.html

http://www.mz-web.de/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=ksta/page&atype=ksAr\
tikel&aid=1229852994548

https://sites.google.com/site/jonitalks/

http://www.erichegwer.com/wedding-stuff/austin-events/austin-events-nace\
-experience-2010-in-austin

http://lyingdognews.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/tiger_can_can1.png

(Consider the source)

http://www.zoomentertainment.com.au/images/entertainers/M2/VivaParisCan-\
Can.jpg

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-videos-pictures/birmingham-pict\
ure-galleries/2009/07/28/can-can-comes-to-birmingham-65233-24258045/

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/can-can-yvonne-ayoub.html

http://galwayballet.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/can_can_charity_fundr\
aiser_radisson_05_800x600.jpg

http://galwayballet.com/?page_id=193

http://galwayballet.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/can_can_mid_dance_600\
x800.jpg

http://zlinsky.denik.cz/multimedia/galerie/1965177.html?section=1,1

http://www.eventmapa.pl/images/zdjecia/270/max/kankan-zycie.jpg

http://www.gogolin.pl/cms/php/strona.php3?cms=cms_gogol&lad=a&id_dzi=0&i\
d_dok=1399&id_men=493&powrot=1&slowo_szuk=&gdzie_szuk=&id_men_szuk=0

http://www.nexusband.pl/index.php/News.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/krishmistryphotography/4957967302/



Remember the Steve's postcard?

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images2/77/t1/31361.jpg

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images2/85/t1/30775.jpg

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?pg=3&address=5238-\
40+SOUTH&stemming=&phonic=&fuzzy=&maxfiles=

(More here)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollywoodplace/4144282842/

http://www.kowabunga.org/images/pictures/convergence_2002/convergence_20\
02_8.jpg

http://tutumaker.co.uk/images/moulin.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/3045335352_7ca9904337.jpg

http://www.geist-dancer.com/Silver%20$%20Grist%20mill-close%20up%20small\
.jpg

http://www.sixpak.com.au/images/CanCan_small.jpg

Barbebleu

Vavřinecký potok

This is a link to a video of a party following a Czech whitewater
competition in 2010. It's on the dark side, and the venue is too
crowded for a good show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b3OOVtB_OI

Apparently it is an annual event, and the entertainment each year is by
the same group of cancan dancers. You've no doubt seen some of
their pictures in the past. I'm not sure if the dancers are
wives/girlfriends of the contestants or a dance group, but their
costumes are nice for the fans of the classic look At any rate, for
some years it has been well photographed, and there are some really nice
pictures lurking in the following links:

http://www.vodacipecky.cz/vavrinec/2009/FOTOGRAFIE/VAVRINEC2009_SOBOTA/V\
AVRINEC2009_SOBOTA_ZABAVA/VAVRINEC2009_SOBOTA_ZABAVA/index.html

http://www.vodacipecky.cz/vavrinec/2008/Fotografie/Vasek/Vasek%2006%20za\
bava/index.html

http://picasaweb.google.cz/jarrabaloun/VAVRINECKY_POTOK_FOTO_2004_ZABAVA\
#

http://picasaweb.google.cz/jarrabaloun/VAVRINECKY_POTOK_FOTO_2000_ZABAVA\
#

http://picasaweb.google.cz/jarrabaloun/VAVRINECKY_POTOK_FOTO_2001_ZABAVA\
#

http://picasaweb.google.cz/jarrabaloun/VAVRINECKY_POTOK_FOTO_2006_ZABAVA\
#

http://picasaweb.google.cz/jarrabaloun/VAVRINECKY_POTOK_FOTO_2007_ZABAK#

http://picasaweb.google.cz/jarrabaloun/VAVRINECKY_POTOK_FOTO_2007_BOREK

http://picasaweb.google.cz/jarrabaloun/VAVRINECKY_POTOK_FOTO_2003_ZABAVA\

http://miou.rajce.idnes.cz/Vavrinecky_potok_2009-karneval_kalenice/

http://kucaj.rajce.idnes.cz/Vavrinecky_potok_2008/

http://www.laviniste.cz/clanek.php?typ=1&id=25

http://www.laviniste.cz/fotky.php?sh=36&od=37&s=150

http://www.laviniste.cz/fotky.php?sh=110&od=127&s=80

So far, I can't find any photos of the 2010 event, but stay tuned.

Barbebleu

Possibilities!

I may have stumbled upon an undiscovered treasure on Flickr.  As soon as I can pick out the links I'll post them.  Here's what I know.  Last time I was on Flickr I typed in "Santa Barbara French Festival" in the search function and got quite a surprise!

My primary focus is searching for pictures of the Can-Can girls that have been a fixture at the event for years.  I began attending the festival in 2001 and did so for 5 years.  I hated that I stopped attending after 2006, but extenuating circumstances in my life got in the way.

Next year, I believe that I will be able to attend without giving my family the usual pretexts about being "interested in celebrations of culture" and other such purposes which are not entirely lies because I like going to different fairs that celebrate what is around the world.

For now, I believe a little teaser will do quite nicely; check out this address and there are a few treats there to entice those who are interested: http://www.frenchfestival.com/.

Click on the "activities" button to get a list of entertainment acts.  Keep your eyes out for the West Coast Ballet, they alone hold the crown jewel of performances!

Also click on the "press kit" button and you'll find a sidebar with four decent can-can pictures that may just whet your appetite as they did to mine!

I've been away too long and now I've got the means to really do stuff on my own in the Summer.  Next year I will not be denied!  I am going to that festival come Hell or High Water and I have more than a few ideas up my sleeve to make those coming days...magical!

Wish me luck!

P.S., those press kit pictures can be zoomed in!  Hold on to your seats, 'cause there may be some surprises in store!

Links 10-10-10 (Barbebleu)

Miscellaneous Links

http://www.melanieholliday.com/popup.asp?par_filename=cms_image/big/gale\
rie_melanie-holliday9.jpg&par_info=Melanie Holliday

http://diepresse.com/home/leben/mensch/435292/index.do?gal=435292&index=\
4&direct=526320&_vl_backlink=/home/leben/mensch/526320/index.do&popup=

http://www.danilo-sugar.de/galerie/Ope_LustigeWitweGrisetten.jpg

http://www.hunderttausend.de/img/e100828f-e44b-4d56-84a1-c233d6364803,1.\
jpg

http://www.gran-canaria-tipps.de/blog-bilder/cancan.jpg

http://www.hesperinghausen.de/assets/images/Cancan.jpg

http://winki-web.com/foto/usa08/usa08_dawson_cancan01.jpg

http://www.euskirchen-online.ksta.de/ks/images/mdsBild/1247646964369l.jp\
g

(Tights are bad enough anyway, but this?)

http://www.toutypasse.com/photo1-je-vends-un-lot-de-costumes-french-canc\
an-professionnel-ax6x1x3w399298.jpg

http://www.events.at/static/binaries/thn/701/440/2/img_600x600.jpg

(Not the usual photo from the film)

http://www.fit4you-greven.de/images/content/w2dflp5232122-1.jpg

http://www.fit4you-greven.de/index.php?page=109

http://www.gartenfreunde-berlin.de/img/texte/118.jpg

http://92.243.9.110/prestige/wp-content/gallery/prestige/47-le-cancan.jp\
g

http://www.muensterschezeitung.de/storage/scl/mdhl/fotostrecken/lokales/\
mz-mlz-evz-gz/greven/greven/2010/07-2010/schuetzenverein_vosskotten_flot\
h_50_jahre/1907483_m0w756h504q75v47569_KOMMERSABEND___50_JAHRE_SCHTZENVE\
REIN_VOSSKOTTEN-FLOTH___-MAR-_16.jpg

http://www.ftr.ro/clubul-diesel-s-a-mascat-pentru-o-noua-petrecere-vinta\
ge-37594.php

(Click on "Fotografii (18)"; No. 1 is particularly nice, I think)

http://www.hannover-tanzt.de/category/shows/

http://a.acteurfete.eu/photos/0004/6174/cancan_gallery.JPG

http://www.ouest-france.fr/of-photos/2010/02/08/lm07_1646304_1_px_470_.j\
pg

http://www.ouest-france.fr/actu/actuLocale_-Le-cabaret-au-menu-du-reveil\
lon-2010-_50624-avd-20091231-57420450_actuLocale.Htm

http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/stories/thumb250x00/mediastore/Femina/A2010/M\
01/miss-tourisme.jpg

A nice group of photos:

http://www.paris-reverie.com/index.php/spectacle-cabaret-music-hall-aix-\
en-provence/

http://www.paris-reverie.com/wp-content/gallery/paris-reverie/125.jpg

http://www.paris-reverie.com/wp-content/gallery/paris-reverie/235.jpg

http://www.paris-reverie.com/wp-content/gallery/paris-reverie/233.jpg

@

http://www.ulle-helau.de/Bilder/Garde/Garde%20Cancan%20a.jpg

http://www.cco-grotte.de/cco-dateien/Bilder/cancan2.jpg

http://www.cco-grotte.de/cco-dateien/Bilder/cancan4.jpg

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/USIHTyORTYc/0.jpg

http://www.mz-web.de/ks/images/mdsBild/1229852994556l.jpg

http://www.asvaufenau.de/wp-content/gallery/fasching-kampagnestart-2010/\
gnz-asv-sitzung-2010-klein.jpg

http://www.asvaufenau.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Rosenmontag.jpg

http://www.asvaufenau.de/2010/02/01/fasching-kampagnestart-2010/?nggpage\
=2&pageid=291

http://www.ff-oberndorf.de/pictures/Fa04_Cancan.jpg

http://www.op-online.de/nachrichten/rodgau/laesst-buehne-beben-631153.ht\
ml

http://www.op-online.de/fastnacht-2010/laternche-sitzung-fotostrecke-631\
275.html?popup=media&firstslide=1#

(In natural colors)

http://storage.canalblog.com/39/07/199257/50346011.jpg



Barbebleu

Z Ceskych Mlynu (Czechoslovakia 1941)

The Czech affinity for the cancan seems to be nothing new.

See the original of this video posted by SvrchovaneCechy at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKaLKtT5qmY

or take a look at the edited version (just the cancan) at:
http://cancanclassics.multiply.com/video/item/12

Barbebleu

Operetta, Italian Style

For Max,

A You Tube gem from Italian television entitled: "Operetta , Mondaini
Mita Medici Pippo Baudo, 10 puntata canzonissima":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfTo5RS-WLQ

Bring back any memories?

Barbebleu

2nd & Final Part of My Review of "Gigi"

Ladies and Gentlemen, as promised here is the 2nd & final part of my review of the production of the Lyric Opera of San Diego's "Gigi".

I already covered the big can-can number in the penultimate scene of the play, but here is my review of the added bonus from the first act.  As a reminder, my criteria for judging a can-can is authenticity of the costumes, attention to detail, choreography, length of the number, and enthusiasm on a scale from 1-10.

As I mentioned before, in the 1st act is a number entitled "The Night They Invented Champagne" where the leading lady who played Gigi, the leading man who was "Gaston", and Gigi's grandmother all became tipsy when enjoying a bottle of bubbly.  They all started singing and enjoy themselves with gusto and wouldn't you know it, our leading lady launched right into an impromptu can-can!  Here's my take on it.

For authenticity of costumes and attention to detail I give each criteria a 9.5.  Gigi's costume was perfectly authentic to her character and the time period (Circa 1900).  It was an iconic, and eye-catching outfit consisting of a navy blue sailor dress, straw boater hat, white stockings, black Mary-Jane shoes, and gloriously white knee-length bloomers. 

I've always liked the black strappy shoes with white stockings, very "Alice in Wonderland."  The high score also comes from the fact that I love it when can-can girls wear real Victorian bloomers.  Gigi's bloomers were a brilliant shade of white with the requisite ruffles at the bottom; when she danced they contrasted well with the navy blue of her dress.  I would have liked to have seen one petticoat of a dark color with some lace detail, but I was perfectly satisfied with how her costume looked.

For choreography, I give it it a 9.  The leading lady knew almost every step that goes into a well-made can-can, and believe me, she knew how to pull it off.  There were many twirls that opened her skirt like an umbrella, a couple of high-jumps, and plenty of textbook skirt hold-and-kick combinations.  The only thing missing was seeing our lady's no doubt delightful derriere clad in white bloomers courtesy of a royal flash.  That would have been the cherry on the sundae, but for an impromptu can-can, it was excellent.

For length, I have to give it a 4.  It was impromptu, and I'm glad it happened, but with a beautiful lady wearing a cute costume with such detail only giving just under a minute of can-can dancing, I was left wanting even more!  Oh well, I guess we can't have everything we want all the time, but to deprive a can-can connoisseur?  Give me a break!

For enthusiasm, I would give it a definite 9.5!  I'm sure that the addition of champagne made our leading lady less reserved than normal.  I'm guessing it was also the buoyant energy of the song that inspired her to dance with jovial abandon.  Gigi was enjoying herself so much during her short impromptu can-can, I wished that I could be the leading man, having her dancing like that so close to me!  Her face was just lit up with life and gusto, and she certainly would win a prize for dancing with so much glee!

I was pleasantly surprised at the leading lady launching into such a joyous, impromptu can-can.  I was not happy with it being such a short length, but overall it was a nice little surprise.  I enjoyed this production, and can't wait for my next opportunity.  If you wish for some additional reviews from Yours Truly on can-can sequences in plays, movies, and tv shows that are already up, just let me know.  For now, I hoped you enjoyed this additional review, and I'll see you at the next show!

Have a great day, everyone!  High Kicks and Hi-jinks to ya!

Sincerely,

Anthony

Sparkling Diamonds - Balet Pise - Czech Republic

I think the name of the dance group is Sparkling Diamonds, but I could
be wrong. I can't find a website for the dancers other than the blog
that the following links lead to. At any rate, whatever the name, it's a
group of pretty dancers.

Scroll down the blog pages below. Many have several cancan photos on
them.

http://balet.pise.cz/042008/

http://balet.pise.cz/galerie-the-best/042008/

http://balet.pise.cz/012008/

http://balet.pise.cz/122008/

http://balet.pise.cz/022009/

http://balet.pise.cz/032009/

Barbebleu

A "Fan of the Can" Review of "Gigi" @ the North Park Theatre in San Diego

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sad to report that the Lyric Opera of San Diego ended it's production of "Gigi" on Sunday, October 3rd.  However, I am happy to report that I was lucky enough to be in the front row of this charming musical romp through Paris, circa 1900 for the October 2nd penultimate performance. 

As I promised, here is my special critique on the most "unique" aspect of this performance.  Let it suffice to say that I have always been a fan of the theater and music since I was a little kid; and since I began indulging my attraction to the can-can several years ago, I have gone to many different performances for many occasions.  Anyway, enough about me, here is my "Fan of the Can" review of "Gigi".

The Can-Can for this show takes place in the penultimate scene of the play, which is at Maxim's, which many of you might remember from The Merry Widow.  The dancers consisted of six ladies, each in a dress that was one color of the rainbow (R.O.Y.G.B.I.V.) and embellished with black lace, and two gentlemen who were very skilled and dapper acrobats, one in red and black, and the other in blue and black.

The Can-Can opened the scene, and it lasted for about five or six minutes.  To be clear, I have my own personal criteria for evaluating a can-can number: authenticity of the costumes, attention to detail, choreography, length of the number, and enthusiasm.

For costumes, I would give an 8.5 for authenticity and attention to detail.  The ladies' hair was well put together and embellished with feathers.  They wore long, black lacy gauntlet gloves; their dresses had slightly puffed sleeves and had the requisite ruffled petticoats in black and the same color as the matching dress.  The only criticisms were that although it was quite clear that they wore both flesh-tone tights with black fishnets over them, the simple black dancing slippers and basic black full-cut panties were a slight disappointment.

For choreography, I would give a 9.  A plentiful assortment of jumps, spins, hand-linked pinwheel, and even a couple of of royal flashes kept my attention.  Twice there were jump splits and a final flourish of skirt waving.  The best part of the entire number was that the gentleman in black and blue, and the lady in the turquiose-blue dress seemed to have gymnastics backgrounds because they each pulled off triple flips and a perfect 3-point landing.  An extra flourish I didn't expect!

For the length, I would give a 9.  It lasted for about 5 to 6 minutes, and as the music kept going, the ladies and gentlemen kept coming back for more.  Definitely satiating for any can-can conoisseur.

For enthusiasm, I would give a definite 9.  The ladies were definitely vocal about their enjoyment of the dance, and every flourish was applauded by the audience.  The expressions on all their faces were positively glowing with joy.  I could tell that they all enjoyed performing and getting applause from audiences.

There was also an added bonus in the first act that I did not anticipate!  In the number entitled "The Night They Invented Champagne" the leading lady who played Gigi, the leading man who was "Gaston", and Gigi's grandmother all became a little tipsy enjoying a bottle of bubbly!  They all started singing and enjoying themselves with gusto and lo and behold, our leading lady jumped right into an impromptu can-can! 

I guess it kind of made the big can-can number in the second act a little disappointing because of Gigi's heartfelt abandon.  Well, I guess what did it for me was not only the fact that she did an impromptu can-can, but that she was in her iconic costume as well.  When I say "iconic" I mean a navy blue sailor dress, straw boater hat, black Mary-Jane shoes, white stockings, and perfectly clean, white, knee-length bloomers.

I realize that in order to give a complete review of ALL the can-can elements in "Gigi" I will need to write a second part to fully enjoy the impromptu dance of the leading lady.  For now, I am content to say that the main Can-Can number at Maxim's was well-excecuted with gusto and professionalism.  It may have had one or two obvious flaws, but overall it was well done; worthy of the front-row ticket I purchased for a nice evening out.

Thanks for reading; I will return very soon with the second of my now 2-part review of the Lyric Opera of San Diego's production of "Gigi".

Enjoy it all, my fellow connoisseurs!  High Kicks & Best Wishes to All!

Sincerely

Anthony

More Madame Gigi

 

Madame Gigi's Outrageous French Cancan Dancers on Bastille Day courtesy
of Annie Salmona:

http://picasaweb.google.com/asalmona/20100710BastilleDaysCancanDancers#

Barbebleu

9º Didascálico Escola de Dança Athené Tamisier - Alegria Parisiense (Can can).flv

Here's another video of Athene Tamisier's dancers performing in a well-lit venue that facilitated some closer filming. The uploaded video is only 480p due to Multiply's size restrictions, but there is a knock-out 720p version available at You Tube. Many thanks to camilaabad who posted this gem. See the 720p original at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSzZc1nBOg

Also see the related message in the Blog about Athene Tamisier, with photo links and another video link.

Barbebleu

"Gigi" @ Birch North Park Theatre, San Diego

Been a while since I've seen any good can-can with my own eyes, but now I've got a chance I can't pass up.

This week only, the Birch Theatre in the North Park area of San Diego is putting on a production of Lerner and Lowe's "Gigi" until Sunday the 3rd.  From what I've seen in previews it is a much improved version of the movie with the much-needed addition of a good Late Victorian Can-Can as well as new musical numbers.

Lucky for me, I just happened to be watching the local morning news before class 4 days ago.  There was an interview with the director and a preview performance by the can-can dancers!  Needless to say, I found my interest piqued.

I'll be attending tonight and giving my full critique on the performance later, being the conoisseur of musical theater that I am!

See ya afterwards!

P.S., if you can't wait for my critique, consider this a teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NscwoB9R1S8