How to Dance the Can-Can
The Can-Can is a dance that originated around 1830 in Paris. A group of females stand, arm-in-arm, in a line. They dance in unison, kicking their legs and lifting their skirts suggestively to the audience. Follow these steps to dance the Can-Can.
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Instructions
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Choose upbeat music to dance the Can-Can. Purists would have you select a song that is in 2/4 time (also known as half-time). The tune most associated with the dance is the gallop section of "Orpheus in the Underworld" by Offenbach.
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Get a group of people together. While traditionally done with women, it might be fun to do with mixed sexes. Gather at least 5 people for the line.
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Place your arms around the shoulders of the dancers on either side of you. Make sure you're all facing the same direction.
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Kick your legs to the beat of the music. This can be a choreographed move, or you can simply take turns going "free-style" as you let each person create his or her own suggestive movements.
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During selected moments in the music, turn and thrust your derriere out towards the audience while letting out a whoop! You'll have to organize this move with the other dancers.
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Tips & Warnings
Have a dance party where you and a group of friends all get together and perform old time dances. The Can-Can can be the finale.
Dance the Can-Can to modern music. It's a cool way to hip up an old school dance.
Make sure adults who haven't moved in a while do light stretching before stepping onto the floor.
