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Inauguration -

The world-famous Moulin Rouge is a cabaret in Paris, France. The venue is located in the Pigalle district on Boulevard de Clichy, in the city's 18th arrondissement (administrative districts). It opened on October 6, 1889.

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"Red Windmill" -

Moulin Rouge translates to English as "red windmill." The name honors the 13 windmills that once stood on the western slope of Montmartre in the 1600s. By the late 19th century, however, only two remained. One of these is Moulin de la Galette, perched near the top of Montmartre.

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Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller -

Moulin Rouge was co-founded in 1889 by French impresario Charles Zidler (1831–1897) and Joseph Oller (1839–1922), who was a Spanish entrepreneur from Catalonia. The cabaret is pictured in 1890, a year after its inauguration.

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The original stage -

Moulin Rouge is set in the Jardin de Paris at the foot of Montmartre hill. The venue originally featured a gigantic model elephant (pictured), which loomed over a stage on which ballet dancers performed.

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Lively and fashionable -

Even in the early 1900s, Montmartre was a fashionable area. Moulin Rouge was well placed to attract a diverse public, and soon acquired an enviable reputation as one of the city's liveliest entertainment spots.

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Hottest ticket in town! -

Early in its history, Moulin Rouge was known for hosting animated, champagne-fueled parties. Indeed, it was the hottest ticket in town. For the fortunate few, gaining entry was facilitated by securing a priority ticket such as the one pictured, issued on February 15, 1904 for the glitzy Théatre-Concert du Moulin-Rouge.

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Belle Époque -

Colorful and extravagant, the party-shows hosted at Moulin Rouge reflected the exuberance of the Belle Époque—a period of French and European history, usually dated to between 1871–1880 and the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. It was characterized by peace and prosperity, technological, scientific, and cultural innovations, and a flourishing artistic climate.

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La Goulue -

Out of Moulin Rouge during this time came a new dance craze: the cancan. One of its early superstars was La Goulue, the stage name of French dancer Louise Weber (1866–1929), pictured here in full costume.

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Cancan -

The cancan is a high-energy, risqué dance usually performed by a chorus line of women and known for its high kicks in unison that expose both the petticoat and the leg, invariably stockinged.

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Dance craze -

The cancan swept across Europe, its vigorous choreography including splits and cartwheels. It was originally a social dance for couples, but at Moulin Rouge the cancan was performed at a furious pace and was quickly considered scandalous.

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Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec -

Montmartre's residents included a number of artists, among them Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). Captivated by the Moulin Rouge vibe, and especially the cancan dance, he created some of the most celebrated paintings depicting the venue in its bohemian heyday. He's pictured in his studio in 1890 working on 'At the Moulin Rouge, The Dance.'

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Moulin Rouge in art -

Here is the finished canvas. It portrays two dancers dancing the cancan in the middle of the crowded dance hall. The painting is currently displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

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Jane Avril -

One of Toulouse-Lautrec's most recognized examples of Moulin Rouge poster art is the one featuring French cancan dancer Jane Avril (1868– 1943). It's been reproduced numerous times in books, magazines, and as a souvenir wall poster.

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Theater posters -

In fact, the extravagant shows that took place at the Moulin Rouge all required equally flamboyant publicity. The Moulin Rouge Ball was always colorfully advertised; Jules Chéret was commissioned to create this artwork in the late 1800s.

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Mistinguett -

July 29, 1907 marked the first appearance on stage at Moulin Rouge of Mistinguett (1873–1956). Born Jeanne Florentine Bourgeois, Mistinguett, a French actress and dancer, was at one time the highest-paid female entertainer in the world. Her risqué routines captivated Paris, and she went on to regularly perform abroad.

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Yvette Guilbert -

Another hugely popular star at Moulin Rouge was French cabaret singer and actress Yvette Guilbert (1865–1944).  She headlined the venue in 1890.

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The red windmill burns down -

In 1915, one year after this rare autochrome Lumière color photograph of the venue was taken, Moulin Rouge was destroyed in a disastrous fire. Image: Albert Kahn

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Reopening -

Moulin Rouge rose from the ashes and reopened in 1921. Now operating as a theater as well as a cabaret, the venue's co-director was none other than Mistinguett, who helped reinvigorate the program by staging glossy all-singing, all-dancing revues.

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Stylish and theatrical -

Dancer Edmonde Guydens appeared at the Moulin Rouge in February 1926 and wooed the audience in a costume made entirely from lace.

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Adelaide Hall -

After Mistinguett's retirement in 1929, Moulin Rouge was again reborn, this time as a snazzy and sophisticated night club. Among the artists appearing during this period was American-born, England-based jazz singer and entertainer Adelaide Hall (1901–1993). Hall brought with her the Blackbirds, a troupe of 100 black artists accompanied by the Jazz Plantation Orchestra. Her show was the hit of the 1929 season.

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Josephine Baker -

Josephine Baker created a sensation when she debuted at Moulin Rouge in 1933. Baker, an American-born French entertainer, was well known at the rival Folies Bergère, so her appearance in Montmartre with her revue was considered a genuine coup. She would go on to perform at Moulin Rouge many more times throughout her career.

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War years -

During the Second World War, Moulin Rouge continued to stage shows for locals and occupying German troops. But its prosperous carefree days were over. Pictured in 1940 are a pair of French women chatting with two off-duty German soldiers outside the venue.

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Édith Piaf and Yves Montand -

Paris was liberated in August 1944. One of the first acts to appear on stage at the Moulin Rouge after the Allies had taken the city was Édith Piaf and a newcomer, Yves Montand (both pictured).

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The 1950s -

The 1950s saw the Moulin Rouge under new management and major renovation taking place. A new auditorium was furnished with fashionable decor, which in turn attracted a new and voguish clientele.

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The 1960s -

One of the more unusual additions to the Moulin Rouge auditorium was the installation of a giant aquarium, a huge water tank where dancers performed the first aquatic ballet, in 1962.

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Revues with the letter F -

In 1963, Moulin Rouge staged 'Frou-Frou' (pictured). Since then, only revue titles that start with the letter F are put on, for example 'Frisson' (1965–1967), 'Follement' (1976–1978), and 'Femmes, femmes, femmes' (1983–1988).

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Liza Minnelli -

But it was Liza with a Z that performed at Moulin Rouge in November 1982. By now the famous venue was again the center of Paris night life, and Liza Minnelli was one of a host of A-list stars invited to take to the theater's venerable stage.

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Dean Martin -

Dean Martin sold out Moulin Rouge for a show that took place on July 3, 1984, one of only a handful of appearances the crooner made in the 1980s. In September 1984, Dino's old buddy Frank Sinatra also performed at the venue.

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Ray Charles -

Ray Charles was among the guests taking part in the special Centenary Gala on October 6, 1989. It was the most glittering night in the 100 years since Moulin Rouge opened, with Lauren Bacall, Tony Curtis, Jane Russell, and Jerry Lewis numbering some of the other superstars on stage that night.

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Moulin Rouge today -

Moulin Rouge today is as popular as ever. To date, the 'Feerie' show has been seen by more than 10 million spectators since its creation in 2000.

Sources: (PARISCityVISION) (The Vintage News) (French Moments) (History)

See also: Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena

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