Ecole des Filles de Joie rehearsals Photo Gilles Rammant
The Cabaret de Filles de Joie is a cabaret/ new burlesque revue with dancers, singers, musicians, acrobats and actors; their philosophy is to mix genres of performers as well as audiences- physically, mentally and socially. A project that came to fruition earlier this year is L’Ecole de Fille de Joie. And now summer’s done, it’s back to school!
L’Ecole des Filles de Joie is for amateurs, aspiring professionals and confirmed performers seeking to broaden their skill base. Juliette Dragon, mistress of the school and founder of the Cabaret talked to me earlier this year.
“This project has been bubbling for a long while,” said Dragon “to open a cabaret school for girls who either plan to become professional artists or else just wish to take personal pleasure in classes or overcome certain complexes.”
Dragon’s aim is to eventually open a school that has classes day and night, is a performance venue to welcome various artists and is a home to the Cabaret de Filles de Joie’s popular shows that present singing, dance, French Cancan, fire performance and more to an animated public.
“The first stone for this project has been placed with the Ecole de Fille de Joie at the Bellevilloise (in the 20th) each Saturday,” said Dragon.
Two course are offered each week- from 14h-1530 a basic modern jazz class for beginners teaches the basics of dance and posture for performance (with a short choreography often taught) then from 1530-1700 a specialist workshop is presented (French Cancan, tap dance, make-up or Strip Tease). The teachers are the confirmed Filles de Joie and special guests, all skilled and trained professionals, often the reputed resident choreographer Lise Coeslier (aka Lolaloo des Bois).
Launched in March, it’s all new and shiny, but with several ‘school’ cabarets already presented in the Bellevilloise (the motivated students leaning a cabaret choreography during the class then staying on to be guided through make up and costume to present that evening alongside several confirmed Filles de Joie and professional performers).
Another of Dragon aims is to keep the classes (and shows) affordable for all. The jazz class is 10 euro, the workshop 15, discounts offered with the non expensive membership to Dragon’s other collective ‘Surprise Party’.
L’ecole resumes September 5. It’s a good chance to get moving for autumn and inspired for … the first Paris Burlesque Festival (October 22-25) run by Dragon and her associates.
Having been involved with Dragon and her Cabaret as a reporter with my alter ego Jazmin Baret popping in sometimes to teach and perform, I can recommend the classes and shows with enthusiasm and hope to see you in class or at the festival!
