Two Workshops with Irina Akulenko of the Bellyqueen School in New York
July 12, 2025
This year’s show for Tribal Bellies studio is on the horizon, and we are excited to be having Irina Akulenko as our headliner for 2025. As part of her time with us that day, Irina will also be teaching two classes that are immediately open for registration.
First we will have “Evocative Sword Technique” 1 and a half hours
In this fusion sword workshop, we will focus on unusual and dynamic techniques, meant to unite you with your prop as one, through a series of elegant drills and combinations. We are going to focus on the creative movement possibilities that can be done before balancing the sword on the head, taking the upper body off the central axis and pay extra attention to the visual design of our movement for the audience. This workshop will have very little floorwork (standing options will be provided as well). With lots of gentle drills and optional layers, we will work on deepening and strengthening our technique, creating clean lines in space and within our bodies. If you don't have a sword, most of the combinations can be learned with a cane - only a few moments are sword-specific. This is a single sword focused workshop.
Following a break between classes, we will then have “Language of the Fan: Don't" 2 and a half hours
Fans with short veils (or without veils) are a beautiful and dynamic prop. Unlike its long-veiled cousin which restricts the dancers’ movement due to the length of the fabric, this fan has truly endless possibilities. This prop can be lyrical and gentle, as well as sharp and demanding. In this workshop, you will learn fun and dynamic techniques, combinations and dynamic throws, which will be threaded together into a choreography. We will borrow techniques from the Japanese, Chinese as well as Spanish fans, in order to find a variety of lyrical possibilities. Additionally we will also explore breaking rules of traditional fan-handling and enrich our vocabulary. Learn how to frame yourself and your dance, communicate through and become truly one with the fan, as well as expertly guide the eye of the audience. The combinations will be threaded together into a choreography. *This class requires one Right-handed fan. Irina also recommends not bringing your top quality fans for this class, as the routine may involve throws. Bring a fan you are comfortable potentially getting worn with practice that you can easily replace. She provided some examples of the fan types we will be using in the links below:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/689620661/chinese-dance-fan-right-handed-oriental?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=fans+for+dance+with+fabric&ref=sr_gallery-1-7&sts=1&content_source=64f4d31f20db06577cdfda042264ca3cc8f8122e%253A689620661&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=64f4d31f20db06577cdfda042264ca3cc8f8122e%3A689620661
https://www.amazon.com/Winged-Sirenny-Chinese-Bamboo-White-Purple/dp/B07QJBDNQK/142-3595447-6663704?pd_rd_w=3A8TH&content-id=amzn1.sym.3a852a98-d65f-4301-9bd0-9b589b14d1ef&pf_rd_p=3a852a98-d65f-4301-9bd0-9b589b14d1ef&pf_rd_r=5FP0ATFH99KEEX1Z5BEW&pd_rd_wg=cMG9n&pd_rd_r=75cb5e2e-f6fd-443b-b122-fceb6b16ec12&pd_rd_i=B07QJBDNQK&th=1
First we will have “Evocative Sword Technique” 1 and a half hours
In this fusion sword workshop, we will focus on unusual and dynamic techniques, meant to unite you with your prop as one, through a series of elegant drills and combinations. We are going to focus on the creative movement possibilities that can be done before balancing the sword on the head, taking the upper body off the central axis and pay extra attention to the visual design of our movement for the audience. This workshop will have very little floorwork (standing options will be provided as well). With lots of gentle drills and optional layers, we will work on deepening and strengthening our technique, creating clean lines in space and within our bodies. If you don't have a sword, most of the combinations can be learned with a cane - only a few moments are sword-specific. This is a single sword focused workshop.
Following a break between classes, we will then have “Language of the Fan: Don't" 2 and a half hours
Fans with short veils (or without veils) are a beautiful and dynamic prop. Unlike its long-veiled cousin which restricts the dancers’ movement due to the length of the fabric, this fan has truly endless possibilities. This prop can be lyrical and gentle, as well as sharp and demanding. In this workshop, you will learn fun and dynamic techniques, combinations and dynamic throws, which will be threaded together into a choreography. We will borrow techniques from the Japanese, Chinese as well as Spanish fans, in order to find a variety of lyrical possibilities. Additionally we will also explore breaking rules of traditional fan-handling and enrich our vocabulary. Learn how to frame yourself and your dance, communicate through and become truly one with the fan, as well as expertly guide the eye of the audience. The combinations will be threaded together into a choreography. *This class requires one Right-handed fan. Irina also recommends not bringing your top quality fans for this class, as the routine may involve throws. Bring a fan you are comfortable potentially getting worn with practice that you can easily replace. She provided some examples of the fan types we will be using in the links below:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/689620661/chinese-dance-fan-right-handed-oriental?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=fans+for+dance+with+fabric&ref=sr_gallery-1-7&sts=1&content_source=64f4d31f20db06577cdfda042264ca3cc8f8122e%253A689620661&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=64f4d31f20db06577cdfda042264ca3cc8f8122e%3A689620661
https://www.amazon.com/Winged-Sirenny-Chinese-Bamboo-White-Purple/dp/B07QJBDNQK/142-3595447-6663704?pd_rd_w=3A8TH&content-id=amzn1.sym.3a852a98-d65f-4301-9bd0-9b589b14d1ef&pf_rd_p=3a852a98-d65f-4301-9bd0-9b589b14d1ef&pf_rd_r=5FP0ATFH99KEEX1Z5BEW&pd_rd_wg=cMG9n&pd_rd_r=75cb5e2e-f6fd-443b-b122-fceb6b16ec12&pd_rd_i=B07QJBDNQK&th=1
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WHEN: July 12, 2025
“Evocative Sword Technique” from 10am-11:30am Break between classes. “Language of the Fan: Don't" 12:30pm-3:00pm WHERE: IMPULSE Dance Studio (111 Buck Rd Suite 200, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006) COST: Get the classes at a discount through the end of May! Early rates- $35 for the sword workshop, $70 for the fan choreography, or both for a bundled rate of $95. After May- $40 for the sword workshop, $77 for the fan choreography, or both for a bundled rate of $110 And if you are planning to attend the show as an audience member that evening, you can save on a ticket by getting both classes and your ticket for $110 until the end of May, or $125 after May. Follow the link to Tixtree to register: https://www.tixtree.com/e/two-belly-dance-workshops-with-new-yorks-irina-akulenko-2090eb9a19af Registrations are non-refundable unless the classes are cancelled. |
Irina first began channeling her interest in the arts early on with ballet training, in addition to piano and voice lessons as well as drawing. However, belly dance became her main addiction which she sustained by seeking instruction with numerous local teachers as well as visiting master performers. Since 2001, Irina explored both Egyptian Cabaret and American Tribal style belly dance, Odissi and Flamenco.
Today, Irina performs on various New York stages and tours nationally and internationally as a soloist and as a member of various stellar projects. She completed successful tours around the world, teaching and performing in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea, Taiwan, Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, France, Iceland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
She is one of the principal dancers, instructors and choreographers with the Bellyqueen School.
Today, Irina performs on various New York stages and tours nationally and internationally as a soloist and as a member of various stellar projects. She completed successful tours around the world, teaching and performing in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea, Taiwan, Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, France, Iceland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
She is one of the principal dancers, instructors and choreographers with the Bellyqueen School.