Moulin Rouge A group of barmaids perform the French cancan in 1895 at the Moulin Rouge, a famous Parisian cabaret/nightclub, while a live orchestra plays in the balcony above. The cancan was a fast and provocative dance that involved rapid dips and turns, and high kicks that revealed the performers’ legs and frilly underwear. The new industrial society made leisure time available to more and more people of all classes, and mixed-couple entertainment including dance balls, theater performance, and dining out became increasingly popular.