Afro Burlesque
Instructor: MF Akynos
Rev up your bump, grind and shimmy with this invigorating movement class. Taught by award winning international performer MF Akynos, routine incorporates West African dance with a seductive strip to help participants embrace their inner slut and reclaim their wild nature. Wear flexible clothing. No shoes. Open to all.
Saturday, June 23, 4-530 pm $25
440 Lafayette Street, NYC Studio 4D (Fourth Floor) *Please come directly to the studio; there is no receptionist.*
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Afro Burlesque!
An Introduction to Burlesque Movement with an Emphasis on African Dance
Accompanied by live drumming*, this movement class incorporates striptease with West African movement. Incorporated with historical context this class will leave students feeling invigorated and understanding the diverse history of striptease. Students should dress in comfortable clothes and be prepared to move. Open to all abilities/levels.
This is a strip class with an emphasis on Black dance, aiming to build an understanding of how it has shaped and influenced culture. Embracing the influence of Black womyn and sex workers in the world of burlesk, we will use the beat of African drums to come together in harmonious rhythms, building a wider burlesque vocabulary and pushing the limits of our body with African & Caribbean inspired movements. Open to every dance level, gender, & race. Wear comfortable clothing allowing for free range of motion.
Akynos Performing at Coney Island's Burlesque At The Beach
Meet Akynos:
My official stage names are The Incredible, Edible, Akynos, Or MFA (MothaFuckin' Akynos) It's pronounced (Ah-Key-Nos). My tagline: "The Beast Of Burlesque" was given to me by performer friend Voodoo Onyx. I'm a New York raised stripper. Featured in nude magazines, music videos and adult websites since I was 17. I'm a MILF supreme, nappy hair having, 45” of ass, performance artist. You can find me taking it off in burlesque showcases across the globe but primarily on NYC stages. I've featured/headlined in showcases both locally and internationally. In 2009 I was the winner of the best soloist and judge's choice award at the Boston Burlesque Expo. In the same year I was runner up for the Miss International Showgirl competition in Jamaica; (one day I will compete again). I've curated shows in my homeland of Jamaica at the infamous Hedonism II resort, NYC, Vegas, and DC. My last projects were Darkie, THICK and Dark. Nude. Storytellers. which makes a reappearance this October 2017. My upcoming projects are my new one-woman show "Black Pussy", the scripted web series "Chronicles Of A Black Heaux", and the social/whore commentary web-series "Whore Logic", (currently on YouTube) all need your support and attention.
A leadership and program developer/organizer I am also a member of several different sex-worker-operated organizations where I've lobbied in New York State against Condoms As Evidence and helped make recommendations on human rights policies at The UN. Some of these wonderful organizations which I hope you will support are: The Desiree Alliance, The Sex Worker Film & Arts Festival, Best Practices Policy Project, SWOP-NYC, We Are Dancers and The NJ Red Umbrella Alliance; because being a ho should be every woman's [person's] fundamental right. And sex work is work. Don't debate me on that. I'll tear you down.
I was a dance major in high-school and had a short theater acting stint until I decided to take a long break to raise my children and deal with patriachy. I've performed in, competed and won many talent competitions since I was 12. These days I'm a borough famous emerging artist who holds two college degrees, working as a massage therapist and maid because something has to support my artistic habit. All the while I'm wagging my duster at you, screaming for the rights of every human to use their body and energy how they choose. Walk with me. -A
Autobio via akynos.com
The calendar below is constantly being updated.
