Collective Ma Dame Paris | Oui, et vous ?

Oui, et vous? (“Yes, do you?”) is an answer to the performance Waackez-vous Français? (“Do you Waack French?”), our small contribution in creating a space for waacking in France’s dance scene. This neat trio is a follow-up, a way for us to pursue our observations of that dance, and confirm our ever growing need to create a French version of Waacking.

The dance style Waacking was born in Los Angeles, USA, in the 70’s and was mostly performed with music including English lyrics. The Waacking
performer would, by his movements, attempt to give meaning to the lyrics, an interpretation, and bring into life the emotions of the texts. So, we were wondering and asking ourselves this question: what would happen if we try to use the waacking vocabulary on French music and lyrics instead? With words that we understand better and that would tickle our emotions? What impact would that have on our performances, gestures, and choreographic composition?

With 270 million of French speaking persons around the World, French is the language to express ourselves best. It is also in this language that we dream, travel, love, and create. French language is a common point for a multitude of different persons around the World. It is a link a between us and those who speak this language. There is an esthetic, a poetry, a beauty in the French language with an accent on musicality and a specific sound we like to get hold of with our dance.