Intermediate Russian Fan Tech with Erika Bansen

Learn movement that is unique to Russian fans and inspired by Russian style spinning in this intermediate-level workshop.

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. Knowing the 3-beat weave is a pre-requisite for this class.

Please bring your russian or wide handle ring fans if you have them to this workshop. If you do not own fans, please bring mini hoops and/or poi. There will be a few fans to share.

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

• ‎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)
• Isolations
• ‎Transitions
• Combos

About the venue - Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers (KYL/D) celebrates the ability of dance to integrate body, spirit and mind, inviting audiences worldwide to engage in their own journeys of self-discovery. Proceeding from a rich frame informed by diverse philosophies, living traditions and contemplative practices of Asian origin, the company performs original works by its founding Artistic Director, Kun-Yang Lin.

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

Street parking is available - get there early if you plan on driving to allow yourself time to find a spot! The studio is located near the Italian Market, so parking away from the 9th Street area is probably your best bet.

You can also get off at the Ellsworth Federal BSL stop and walk east on Federal Street to 9th Street.

What to Bring?

• A water bottle
• Fans or mini hoops or poi

Do I need my own fans?

Please bring your fans if you have them to this workshop. If you do not own fans, please bring mini hoops and/or poi. There will be a few fans to share as well as purchase from Uncle Druulian's Shop. Please note that fans with non-ring grips (i.e., doodle grip fans) will not work as well in learning the concepts covered in this workshop.

About the Instructor

Erika Bansen has been a performance artist for over 10 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 Instagram at @makemedreadful