#la danse apache

[chaplinfortheages]

"City Lights" 1931

Coming to the assistance of a apache* dancer fearing she is in peril.

Apache Dance or La Danse Apache originated in Paris in the early 20th century.

*Pronounced ah-PAHSH, not uh-PATCH-ee

[justbusterkeaton]

“La Danse Apache” performed in Doughboys 1930

[bildschleuder]

Apache Dance

[marcelgomes]

Apache is a highly dramatic dance associated in popular culture with Parisian street culture in the beginning of the 20th century. The name of the dance (pronounced ah-PAHSH, not uh-PATCH-ee, like the English pronunciation of the Native American tribe) is taken from a Parisian street gang, which in turn was named for the American Indian tribe due to the perceived savagery of the hoodlums. The term came to be used more generally to refer to certain vicious elements of the Paris underworld at the beginning of the 20th century.

The dance is sometimes said to reenact a violent "discussion" between a pimp and a prostitute. It includes mock slaps and punches, the man picking up and throwing the woman to the ground, or lifting and carrying her while she struggles or feigns unconsciousness. Thus, the dance shares many features with the theatrical discipline of stage combat and also withprofessional wrestling. In some examples, the woman may fight back.