Bal-musette

Bal-musette is a French instrumental music and dance style that gained popularity in Paris during the 1880s. Initially featuring bagpipes, it transitioned to accordion-based music, including waltzes and polkas. The genre emerged in cafés opened by Auvergnats in Parisian districts, where patrons danced to cabrette and hurdy-gurdy accompaniment.

Italian musicians later adopted the style, incorporating new rhythms like waltz and polka on hybrid accordions, leading to a split between Italian and Auvergnat traditions. By the late 19th century, three types of bal-musette venues existed: family-oriented, popular Italian-style, and seedy establishments frequented by diverse crowds. These places attracted upper-class individuals seeking excitement, sometimes featuring mock police raids.

Musette dances evolved to be simpler and more sensual, creating styles like tango-musette and java. Admission was free, but dancers purchased tokens exchanged during performances. By the 1930s, gypsy jazz influenced musette, making it France's most popular dance by 1945. Its popularity waned around 1960 but has recently seen a revival, especially in urban areas, with modern forms emerging.