Photo : Camille Lenain
Performance: Decolonizing the Dancefloor
"Decolonizing the Dancefloor", a lecture-performance to think about the systems that shape our daily social relations.
MAIF Social Club (Paris 3rd)
About
At first glance, the roles of dancer and lecturer seem to have little in common. Yet, it is from this very tension that Decolonizing the Dancefloor is born, a lecture-performance conceived by Habibitch based on over fifteen years of activism, dance practice, political reflection, clubbing, writing, and personal experience.
Through a hybrid form blending speech, critical analysis, and movement, Habibitch constructs a situated perspective nurtured by her own journey: from Algeria to Paris, from activist squats to fashion shows, from Sciences Po to a world tour with Sam Smith as a dancer. By drawing on her lived experience, she produces embodied socio-political knowledge, directly linked to the worlds she traverses and speaks about.
Rooted in an intersectional and decolonial feminist approach, Decolonizing the Dancefloor questions the power relations, systems of domination, and dominant narratives that structure our contemporary societies. Habibitch defends an accessible, funny, engaged, and deeply pedagogical discourse, refusing forms of knowledge reserved for a select few.
By navigating between theoretical references, personal stories, and ballroom culture, the performance proposes to reshuffle the deck of habitual discourses to make these issues accessible to the greatest number of people. More than a lecture or a show, Decolonizing the Dancefloor thus becomes a space for collective reflection and movement, inviting everyone to question their place within contemporary social structures.
Our take on this event
Forget boring academic lectures and get ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about nightlife. Habibitch turns the stage into a political laboratory where critical analysis meets the vibrant energy of the ballroom scene. It is the perfect blend of movement and activism, designed to get you thinking while keeping the rhythm.
From May 27 to May 29, 2027, the MAIF Social Club presents Décoloniser le dancefloor, a hybrid performance by artist Habibitch. Blending dance and lecture, this piece explores power dynamics and social structures through the lens of intersectional and decolonial feminism. Drawing from the artist's personal background, from activist circles to global stages, the event invites audiences to reflect on contemporary societal narratives in an accessible and engaging way. This event is free to attend, but please note that it is strictly reserved for individuals aged 18 and over. It offers a unique space for collective thought and physical movement.
Habibitch brings her lecture-performance, Décoloniser le dancefloor, to the MAIF Social Club between May 27 and May 29, 2027. Drawing upon fifteen years of activism, clubbing, and professional dance experience—including international tours—the artist creates a performance that bridges the gap between academic theory and physical expression.
By utilizing her own life story as a starting point, Habibitch constructs a situated body of knowledge that addresses power relations and dominant societal narratives. The performance adopts an intersectional and decolonial feminist approach, ensuring that complex political analyses remain accessible, humorous, and educational.
This event is free of charge and open to attendees aged 18 and up. Rather than a traditional lecture, Décoloniser le dancefloor serves as a space for collective questioning, encouraging the audience to examine their own roles within contemporary structures. By weaving together ballroom culture, personal history, and theory, the artist challenges standard discourses and invites participants to engage with social issues in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
