Physical Jerks

Lil' Lar

I am Lauren Filer a.k.a b-girl Lil’ Lar. I have always loved and taken part in dance and used to train in ballet, modern and tap, however I always felt that I could not fully express myself through these styles of dance and loved the excitement of freestyle. I have a passion for dance and cannot help but start moving as soon as I hear music. I feel that bboying combines so many different elements of dance and skills which I am continually trying to improve upon.

I became very enthusiastic about bboying after witnessing incredible street dancers in Manhattan, New York. This is where I first learnt the foundation of this form and is what made me want to take it up. I feel that there is so much room for individuality and creativity in bboying, which is very appealing.

I also have experience in trampoline and other team sports at county level as well as Lau Gar Kung Fu. I feel the flexibility and fitness I have gained through these disciplines has helped me a great deal.

I have been performing for many years in many different shows from charity, fashion and club work, through to commercial, festivals and theatre productions. I have been teaching for a few years after starting clubs at secondary schools. I then moved my focus towards teaching young children who are socially disadvantaged and have lead young children to perform in stage productions in a major theatre in Bristol. I also teach at my university club and a part of my course involves working with mentally or physically disabled people. Through my experience of teaching I have been able to work with all ages, from 4 years up to 40, and as part of enrichment for many schools. A lot of my teaching involves working with the council to help young children work towards performances. Teaching is very rewarding and I feel that dance is a brilliant way for children to take part in a physical activity and will continue to encourage this. My mum has inspired me and worked with children and movement all her life so much of my passion has come from her.

I have been lucky to be spotted by Afrika Bambaataa (Godfather Of Hip Hop) whilst on a UK tour. He asked me to join and dance for his UK tour and later asked me to become part of Zulu Nation which was a great honour. I then went to America to train with some of their dancers, which was a great experience.

In 2004 I put on an event alongside Zulu Nation that included all 5 elements of Hip Hop. It went very well and was a great way to pay my respect to all the other art forms involved with Hip Hop.

I have also been lucky to be able to record a documentary, which was filmed and screened on the BBC, I feel that dedication and perseverance has helped me to have such luck in bboying.

I am currently based in Cardiff, studying a degree at Luvic in BSA Sport and Physical Education. This is giving me a great insight into the health involved with dance and how the body works.

I love performing and competing with the Physical Jerks, we have done very well and every member has helped me to improve and given me true inspiration as they are all so original. They have helped me to hold my own against both male and female opponent, which I think, has been a great achievement.

I have an energetic and fun character, and my physical strength has helped me a lot. Luckily I haven’t seemed to grow out of the ‘no fear’ attitude, which helps me to try anything in bboying.

I hope to keep being dedicated and dancing with the Physical Jerks for a long time to come, they are all amazing. Put your soul into dancing and don’t hold back.

Lil’ Lar xx