World of Cabaret
Historically:
Cabaret as a popular term all over the world,
except in the United States means an intimate space for adults where
striptease and nudity shows are offered; it is also sleazy bars, house of
prostitutions, or nightclubs where adults can smoke, eat, drink, dance with
women readily available to them and where customers searching for a “woman of
the night” might get lucky and find one for the right price.
Epistemologically, CABARET derived from a 15th century term meaning
“taverne” tavern or even cellar, where artists, travelers and visitors from
out-of-town, neighboring counties and distant cities could and would enjoy
food and wine drinking.
The
term evolved throughout the centuries to include acrobats, jugglers, dancers,
house singers (chanteuses de la maison), balladeers, fire eaters, magicians,
stand up comics, satirists, strolling musicians, comedians, striptease
dancers, variety shows, elaborate attractions, extravaganzas and appearances
by renown singers, actors, actresses and artists. In the late 19th
century and early 20th century, Cabaret added a large dimension to
its aspect by focusing on “La Chanson” (song) and
“Dance Des Femmes Nues” (Dance by Naked
Women).
Photo, above: Can Can Dancers at “La Belle Epoque”
Photo,
left: Cabaret Show at “Le Moulin Rouge” Cabaret, Paris, France.
In
the United States, the song became the major attraction of Cabaret, while in
Europe and all over the world, sensuality, sex, eroticism, nudity, mingling
with women, “catching the women of the night for a price”, drinking and music
remain the characteristics and predominant features of Cabaret. As simple as
that! All these aspects were captured in time by the dawn of Cabaret in 1881.
But, in addition to its sensual character, Cabaret became a center, a place, a
circle for intellectuals, painters, artists, poets, writers, authors,
composers, musicians, philosophers, dramatists and men and women of the arts,
literature and humanities.