Welcome to Barefoot Flamenco
Flamenco Descalzo® -Barefoot Flamenco in English- is an artistic expression synonymous with fusion
and synthesis. This dance returns to the flamenco's roots and puts emphasis on Moorish and Gypsy influences.
Barefoot Flamenco is a dance fusion which combines, in a creative way -equally driven by intuition and investigation-
moves of flamenco dance, bellydance and Gypsy dance.
Flamenco Descalzo® is a concept created by Valérie Romanin. It is spread through her teaching
(weekly classes, intensive workshops), her performances and via this website.
Flamenco Descalzo is also the name of the association (law 1901/ France) which offers a structure to these different activities
(teaching, performing, dance trips...).
Drawing © Valérie Romanin
Short Introduction
Flamenco Descalzo® -Barefoot Flamenco in English- emanates from a personal desire to move closer Flamenco dance,
Belly dance and Gypsy dance. The way it is conceived does not just put together different dance styles nor amalgamate them.
On the contrary, its purpose is to explore and comprehend the specific aspects as well as the common aspects of this group
of dances, and gradually let emerge a new body language. This new form is not fixed. Barefoot Flamenco is progressively build and
modified by every new discovery, learning, gathering. At the beginning, my will to fuse theses dances was strongly stimulated
by listening to a music embellished by Andalusian, North African, Middle Eastern and Indian notes. I remain firmly inspired
by this "world music" which turns to be an essential accompaniment of Barefoot Flamenco.
It is important to mention that Barefoot Flamenco makes use of numerous technical elements such as flamenco steps,
belly dance moves, gypsy dance hops and particular gesture. A precise rhythmic work based on hand clapping or using finger cymbals
also characterize this original form of dance.
Nevertheless, Barefoot Flamenco is essentially a dance of freedom and gives us the possibility
of expressing ourselves, expressing feelings through our body moving to the music. It provides us the opportunity
of telling a story, our own and intimate story. Barefoot Flamenco has a soul, which is the soul of each dancer
who offers his/her dance to share with the people around.
Barefoot Flamenco is expected to remain an unruly discipline, because it appears to be a live mixture,
a field of study and practice in perpetual development.
It actually belongs to everyone who tastes it and gets pleasure out of dancing it.
Barefoot Flamenco is an open door to the world of dance.
So please, feel welcome!
Valérie Romanin
