Bella Diva World Dance is a Denver based dance studio dedicated to bringing diversity and empowerment to local women and children through the expression of dance. In the past two years we have personally suffered the effects of violence against women, with one of our company members being shot by an ex-fiance (she lived and is the reason we joined 1 Billion Rising at its inception), and another of our students being jumped on the street by 2 men while she was walking home and attempted to kidnap her. She fought for her life and escaped. This cause hits close to home and we are rallying our troops for the third year as we blend world styles of belly dance, Brazilian Samba, and Bollywood to Debbie Allen’s “Break the Chain” choreography. We co-coordinating the city-wide Denver upRISING February 14th on the steps of the capitol this year. This year we will be doing a full production show March 18th, donating all proceeds to local non-profit, Verifika, that travels to South America to empower marginalized communities and educate them on how to recognize and fight sex trafficking in their towns. Please share our story with others, letting them know they are not alone in their fight!