Russian Fan Tech with Erika Bansen

--------THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT------------------------

Learn the ins and outs of Russian fan spinning!  Russian fans, also known as ‘big ring’ fans describes ring grip on the fan.  This design allows for for fluid flow and smooth grip changes.  Learn movement that is unique to Russian fans and inspired by Russian style spinning.  

Poi and mini double hoops are strong foundations for Russian fans, so this class is ideal for spinners already familiar with double hoops or poi. However, this is a beginner friendly class and it will be informative and fun even if this is the first spinning class you've ever been to. If you have mini hoops or poi, please bring them to class.

Note: Russian fans are heavy, usually heavier than US style fans.  As such, having lots of arm muscle endurance built up before the class will really help combat muscle fatigue.

Tricks Covered

• Weaves: 2 beat, 3 beat, 1.5 beat, reverse of each
• ‎Crossers: fountain, hug weave, Traced fountain  split opposite windmill (Mexican weave)
• ‎Flowers: 4 petal in spin flower (head iso/waist iso/smooth transition), 4 petal in spin flower segments (quarters, eighths).
• ‎Transitions
• Combos

Do I need my own fans?

There will be extra fans to practice with at the workshop.  There will also be fans for sale, details coming soon...

About the venue - 954 Dance Movement Collective

954 DMC is a local non profit aimed at getting people of all ages and backgrounds dancing. They offer low-cost workshops and classes for a variety of dance forms.

The mission of 954 DMC is to get you dancing.  They strive to feed a thriving environment that supports artists who dance, who make dances and teach dance.  To explore opportunities for healing dance practices.  To build community through dance. To get people of all ages dancing - from kids to kids at heart. To support the creation & enjoyment of the moving arts & theater in the Greater Philadelphia community. Home of professional dance company, keila cordova dances, the 954DMC is a beautiful, windowed, column-free 1140 sq ft (19’ x 52’) studio with kitchen area and private bathroom.

When to Arrive

Please arrive 5 minutes before class time in order to get acquainted with the space and ready for class to begin on time.

How to Get There/Parking

½ block from the historic Girard Street trolley - that accesses both the Broad St. & the Market Frankford subway lines - and the 47 bus. On street parking is also available.

What to Bring?

• A water bottle
• Fans
• (optional) mini hoops or poi

About the instructor

Erika Bansen has been a performance artist for 9 years, starting with poi in 2009. She started spinning mini hoops in 2012, and transitioned to Russian fans (along with ball and club juggling) in 2013.  In 2016 Erika became interested in LED Russian fans, however many of the manufacturers only spoke Russian at the time. Erika also wanted to follow Russian poi and fan training videos, many of which were in Russian language on YouTube. To overcome this, Erika has been learning to read and speak Russian and now has a good foundation of the language and good insight into the Russian style. In addition to performance art, Erika is also a dreadlock artist and is the owner of Make Me Dreadful.  Learn more about her business at http://www.makemedreadful.biz or in Instgram at @makemedreadful