That’s why this show has been like therapy for me”. I feel like I have to fight three times as hard as anyone else to get what I deserve. “We’ve always had the feeling that we don’t belong. Stéphie adds: “This show is about asserting our identities as women and as Black women. We are speaking with our bodies, to claim that we can all be different and dance with any body shape” says Leila. “There is something very intimate about this show.

“I combine my contemporary core with the power of urban dance: floorwork, organicity, with the rupture of footwork from house dance culture, the percussive intensity borrowed from Krump and popping,” she enthused.Įach dancer adds their own personal element.

Julie adds that her dance style is characterised by hip hop and house dance movements plus Afro-Caribbean, Latino and traditional African dance forms.

Speaking to the Voice, Séréna says: “I use dance as resilience, to free myself”. (Pic by Morgan Sloi)ĭancers Séréna Freira, Julie Laventure, Leila Miretti, Stéphie Téhoué and Mayvis William make up the crew and while hip hop and house music was inspirational at the outset of their journey, styles like Waaking, a dance form exuding confidence and similar to vogueing, is key. Celebrating women’s individuality and plurality, The Barefoot Diva dances at the crossroads of Africa and Europe, remaking the rules and asserting power, strength and excellence. La Diva aux Pieds Nus come courtesy of leading choreographer Nicolas Huchard. However, there’s more than one diva taking the stage, five Black women, united in their faith in the power of dance, are collectively set to create a dynamic impact at Breakin’ Convention on Saturday April 29 and Sunday April 30.įounder Jonzi D has historically promoted women as part of Breakin’ Convention’s annual programmes. With a national tour to follow, the London festival features all female French crew La Diva aux Pieds Nus, meaning The Barefoot Diva. MAKING A STATEMENT: La Diva aux Pieds Nus assert their identities as women and as Black women (pic by Daria Senin)īREAKIN’ CONVENTION, the international festival of hip hop dance theatre, celebrates its 20th anniversary at Sadler’s Wells this April.

Diva pic