Magnificent sights draw us to far-off places and when we look beyond the touristy allure, we often find
interesting stories of people who contributed to the vibe enlacing that far away place. Here is one.
During Belle Epoque, Paris was alive and a young dancer, for a brief period, attracted throngs of good-timing gentlemen with her teasing dance floor routines. Over a century later, Louise Weber, La Goulue, is well remembered as a person and for her storied contribution to la belle vie de Paris. She brought-on ... le Can-Can!
Her mother was a laundress and a young Louise "borrowed" garments to dress and dance. She found her calling in clubs in Paris' Pigalle. At the newly opened Moulin Rouge, patrons filled the house enjoying her high-spirited routines. She perfected the high kick, danced on tables, tipped off men's hats with her toes and downed the spirited drinks of patrons. She was the toast of Paris and the highest paid entertainer of the day.
As time passed her career faded. She'd married but lost her husband and son. She became depressed, overweight and drank heavily while living in a caravan wagon. In 1928, unrecognizable, she sold peanuts, cigarettes and matches on a street corner in sight of the Moulin Rouge. She passed away within a year.
Louise Weber's name isn't widely recognized but her Can-Can is. Around the world fun lovers clap, sing and swing along as they enjoy the high-kicking filles. They are unknowingly paying tribute to the girl who, daring
to be a little risque, showed Paris and the world of her day how to live in the moment, to enjoy.....le Can-Can!
interesting stories of people who contributed to the vibe enlacing that far away place. Here is one.
During Belle Epoque, Paris was alive and a young dancer, for a brief period, attracted throngs of good-timing gentlemen with her teasing dance floor routines. Over a century later, Louise Weber, La Goulue, is well remembered as a person and for her storied contribution to la belle vie de Paris. She brought-on ... le Can-Can!
Her mother was a laundress and a young Louise "borrowed" garments to dress and dance. She found her calling in clubs in Paris' Pigalle. At the newly opened Moulin Rouge, patrons filled the house enjoying her high-spirited routines. She perfected the high kick, danced on tables, tipped off men's hats with her toes and downed the spirited drinks of patrons. She was the toast of Paris and the highest paid entertainer of the day.
As time passed her career faded. She'd married but lost her husband and son. She became depressed, overweight and drank heavily while living in a caravan wagon. In 1928, unrecognizable, she sold peanuts, cigarettes and matches on a street corner in sight of the Moulin Rouge. She passed away within a year.
Louise Weber's name isn't widely recognized but her Can-Can is. Around the world fun lovers clap, sing and swing along as they enjoy the high-kicking filles. They are unknowingly paying tribute to the girl who, daring
to be a little risque, showed Paris and the world of her day how to live in the moment, to enjoy.....le Can-Can!
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A poster by Weber's friend and artist
Toulouse-Lautrec who featured her
in many of his works.
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le Moulin de la Galette, the cabaret where Louise Weber performed
her Can-Can in the late 1880's before moving on to the newly
constructed Moulin-Rouge and the height of her stardom.
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At her modest tomb in Paris' Cimetiere de Montmartre, one sees
fresh flowers and tokens left by caring Parisians and others who, still today, remember Louise Weber for the joie de vivre she brought to Paris with le Can-Can so many years ago. |
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