No, not like the Native American tribe ;) It is pronounced 'ah-PAHSH' - it's French, afterall. However it does have something to do with the Native American tribe: "Les Apaches were members of a Parisian Belle Epoque underworld subculture. Apaches were so called because their alleged savagery was compared with that attributed by Europeans to the Native American tribes of the Apaches. "The Apaches were especially associated with some districts of Paris: Belleville, la Bastille, La Villette and Montmartre which was also home to the famous Moulin Rouge dance hall and nightclub." [Wikipedia ~ Apache (gang)] Often seen in movies back in the 50's and 60's and sometimes on television, the Apache Dance always fascinated me as a dance form. Then again, I am fascinated by strange things (o.O) It is a very physical dance that is in it's traditional form, more like choreographed fighting. The dancers 'throw' each other to the floor, across the stage and into things - tables, chairs, etc. They spin each other around and sometimes even 'slap' each other. In the earlier performances there were even sometimes knives or guns pulled and someone 'killed'. They don't do that these days, though. It often ended tragically. The dance form became popular in the early 1900's in Paris. It was a dance between a prostitute and her pimp, or two lovers...one caught cheating with someone else red-handed...thus the 'violence' and physicality of the dance. In the former instance, he wanted the money she'd earned, but she didn't want to give it up...or sometimes after hesitating, she would and then he would 'show her who was boss'. However, as I said, it is more like choreographed fighting and no one really gets hurt. The Apache dancers must be in very good physical shape to do what they do. Their costumes are pretty much what you see here. The woman usually either wears a skirt with a side-slit to accomodate leg movement or a full skirt. Sensible, low, thick-heeled heels are also a must for the sake of balance. The man wears a shirt and pants and often a beret and neck-scarf. You will often see the man wearing a stripped shirt - an 'Apache shirt'. Here, I put it on Sancha and it's a little fancier than the usual. Below are two examples of Apache dancing, if you don't know what it is. You probably have seen it, you just didn't know what it was called. I think they even did it on "I Love Lucy". One style here - not quite traditional but well done. Click on "here" to see video. This is more the traditional style of the dance. Click on "This" to see video. Both videos are fairly short. This is another style of dance that Sancha does. Her dance partner is Altayr. Remember him anyone? ;) He's moved into the present now. The scene here is the 'confrontation' before the dance begins. ***** Hope you enjoyed this little bit of 'dance mania'. Sorry but I've had all these songs in my head for days now like Bolero, Malaguena, Tzigane and others, so I had to get them out somehow. Maybe. Lol. Thank you so much for dropping by my gallery dear friends! I hope you're enjoying a nice long weekend. But then again for some of us, it's always the weekend. Party safely if you do and have a good New Years eve! Cheers! Ray