Hi, listeners. A quick note before we begin. This season of the Duolingo French podcast

is serialized. So if you haven't heard the previous episode yet, go back and listen

to them first.

October 2, 1925. Opening night of Josephine Show. In the darkened theatre, audience

members took their seats.

It was a review style show, with multiple dance numbers all leading to the breathtaking

finale, Josephine Solo. She was draped over her partners back and carried on stage.

Silently she slid down to the floor, barefoot. That's when everyone realized she was wearing

some artistically placed feathers and nothing else. She began to dance, gradually picking

up speed and swinging her graceful body within a stonishing intent.

Josephine danced with an abandoned that stunned the audience. Yes, there were other acts

in Paris nightclubs with new dance numbers, but Parisians had never seen anything like

Josephine's magnetic energy before.

At the end of the spectacle, the audience was two of you. Of course, some people didn't

like the spectacle and even left the room, but the majority of people had loved it.

When I came back on stage, the people applauded even more, even more and more.

It was completely crazy.

For the first time in my life, I had the feeling of being at the end of my place, of being where I should be.

As we're diving into the incredible story of Josephine Baker.

Our characters will be using Intermediate French and I'll be chiming in for context in English.

You can follow along with full transcripts at podcast.duelingo.com.

And now, episode two, Josephine the icon.

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