Dancing up a Storm

This summer, we show you an alternative way to sweat and to get the heart palpitating, away from the beaches and sun. We present to you Dancing up a Storm, a look at four sexy dances that personify the cultures and experiences of their birth country. From the sensuous flamenco of Andalusia, Spain to the raucous and racy cancan of Paris, you will definitely be basking in the summer heat of these sexy dances. So put on those dancing shoes and celebrate this summer dancing into the early morn.

El Flamenco

Born of persecuted gypsies in Andalusia, the flamenco is a mix of desire, struggle, and pain. From the curve-hugging skirts of the women to the toreador machismo of the men, the dance is the embodiment of Spanish razor-sharp attitude and fierce yearning. Like jazz, flamenco is improvised—you'll never see it the same way twice. Just try not to drip sweat into your sangria at the sight of those pulsing hips. The best place to catch this intense display of vigour? The Festival de Jerez. Thousands of aficionados (and aficionadas) gather at the annual Festival de Jerez from late February to early March, in the historic town of Jerez de la Frontera, some 60 miles south of Seville. You can also take morning or afternoon classes in conjunction with Jerez's festival. We suggest a glass of Jerez's famous sherry before attempting the footwork. The rest of the year, the flamenco-loving city of Seville offers a chance for visitors to catch the pros in action at the restaurant and performance space of El Arenal, on Calle Rodó.

The Cancan

It's not a coincidence that cancan means "scandal." Born in mid-19th-century Parisian music halls, the cancan showcased scantily clad ladies performing cartwheels, splits, and the impossible-looking port d'armes (grasping one leg and pointing it to the ceiling while turning on the other). Some of the dancers enticed with more than just suggestive moves—many were also courtesans. Even today, you'll still see the cancan in many burlesque shows. The most famous venue being the Moulin Rouge in the Parisian red-light district of Pigalle, which has been in operation since 1889. The current show has clowns, acrobats, singers, mini ponies, an aquatic tank with huge live snakes (yes, really), and, mais oui, topless dancing girls.
Can-canada! It's not quite Paris, but Mademoiselle Oui Oui Encore (is that a Bond-girl name or what?) has brought the French flair for cancan to Montreal. The enticing co-founder of the Blue Light Burlesque troupe teaches the finer points of burlesque on Tuesday evenings. The cancan is pretty advanced, but you'll get an idea. C'est bon!

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