Ep 1. Paris

We Speak Dance is a captivating and enlightening series that explores the connection between dance and culture across the world. In season 1, episode 1 - Paris, we are taken on a journey through the city of love and lights to discover the intricacies of their dance culture.

The episode opens up with the host, Vandana Hart, explaining the importance of dance to the French culture, particularly in the city of Paris. She then takes us to meet the first dancer, Angelin Preljocaj, who is renowned for his work with Ballet Preljocaj. Angelin takes us through his experience of starting in the contemporary dance world in the 1980s and the challenges he faced as a dancer.

We are then introduced to the concept of Voguing, which originated in the New York ball scene in the 1980s and how it has been adopted and adapted by the Parisian LGBTQ community. Vandana dives into the story of Lasseindra Ninja, a well-known figure in the Parisian Voguing scene and a pioneer in bringing Voguing to Paris from New York.

Next, we meet Tatiana Julien, a contemporary dancer, who takes us through the influence of African dance on her style and practice. She talks about the freedom that African dance gives her to explore her body and emotions, especially as a Black dancer.

Finally, we are introduced to the lively world of the Bal des Pompiers, a tradition where firefighters open up their stations to the public and host a dance party on July 13th. Vandana speaks to some of the firefighters who give us a taste of the music and atmosphere of the event.

Throughout the episode, Vandana beautifully weaves in the stories of each dancer and the dance forms they represent, creating a rich and diverse portrayal of the Parisian dance scene. It's not just about the physical act of dancing, but about the ways in which dance brings people together, facilitates expression and allows individuals to transcend cultural boundaries.

We Speak Dance is a series that will appeal to dance lovers and curious cultural enthusiasts alike. It's a window into the world of movement and the power of dance to bring people together and to communicate meaning across languages and cultures. The Paris episode sets the stage for a series that promises to be both informative and inspiring.