High Heels Antwerp brings hype from LA to Antwerp: fast dance steps and floor work in high heels (Antwerp)
Wearing comfortable clothes, I head to the Oude Badhuis in Deurne for a workshop by High Heels Antwerp. My health insurance funds at the ready, because like the rest of my generation, I hardly move—if not never—in shoes higher than a platform sneaker. But as the name suggests, Leen Van Den Broeke will teach me to dance in heels today.
In the nostalgic-looking gym, Leen displays four pairs of high heels that she collected for me from a friend. I can choose from two pairs of stilettos, a wide open heel and a low pointed heel. Not to be overconfident, I’m going for the wide option. She also tucks me a few knee pads, which proves useful later on during the choreography – which takes place half on the floor. Leen has already had an impressive dance history. Ballet, hip hop, breakdance and chair dance, she has done it all and incorporated influences from these styles into her workshops.
Hype from LA
“During chair dance, the chair eventually became an obstacle for me that got in the way. I wanted so badly to dance freely in high heels”, says Leen. She even went to Los Angeles, where dancing in high heels is all the rage, to take an intense crash course. “I was immediately sold and that’s how the idea arose to set up the same in Antwerp.” She joined forces with friend and in the meantime also business partner Nele Vennekens. “We complement each other perfectly because she is an organizational miracle.” And so the duo brought the trend from LA to Antwerp two years ago under the Female Forces vzw project.
With knee pads on and for the time being still on sneakers, it’s time to throw everything loose with six other ladies on a danceable remix of the Macarena† Quite confronting how Leen easily pulls her legs into the air, but especially nice to see how happy it makes her. Stretching the muscles is absolutely necessary, because the moves that Leen will teach us later should be energetic and extended.
High heels fear
The group is divided into two halves: ladies with experience and without fear of high heels and ladies without experience, afraid of going on their face. And yes, I am one of the latter. Another bites the dust by Queen forms the soundtrack of the workshop. “A classic of which the majority takes place on the ground and which is therefore ideal for beginners”, Leen reassures us. “A bit fast here and there, but that will be all right.” As soon as the music kicks in it’s go time, which causes me to often miss my cue.
And although the choreography suits me better than expected, the high heels are a huge challenge. In addition to the goal on the counts, the music and the challenge dance steps, you must first and foremost know how to keep yourself. That makes, it can be difficult to move for move. But after repeating the dance a dozen times, the flow starts to creep in and the heel becomes like an extension of my foot. Although I don’t look as graceful as Leen, who easily switches between a straddle and some groundwork.
Down to the last detail
Once the dance steps are ingrained, we keep repeating the choreography until everything looks perfect. Mastering the dance is one thing, but making the dance look beautiful is another. Dancing high heels needs a certain explosiveness, which I have not yet achieved, but Leen gradually manages to pull it out of me. Unleash your inner goddess Sounds like the slogan of High Heels Antwerp and you notice that too. Leen wants to ensure that everyone moves gracefully and confidently. Every accent becomes and every crooked foot is extended.
After an hour of Queen on repeat, Leen pulls out her GoPro camera to capture the entire routine. Self-conscious as I am, I completely lost my mind during the supreme moment. And exhaustion begins to strike. Because what an intense workout that was! Rolling, jumping and swinging legs in the air becomes a real challenge after an hour. Thanks to Leen’s clear instructions, our group managed to make it through.
I get away with a few bruises on my knee, which were spared the rest with the thick knee patches. The notes from the health insurance fund may be put away again. Against all odds, I leave the room without sprained ankles or broken feet, but a little lighter and above all with a satisfied feeling and the idea to come out more often than just for Christmas dinner.