Artist Spotlight: Irlanda Jay

We are proud to present this week’s spotlighted artist, Irlanda!

ABQ Dance Connect started an Artist Spotlight Series to feature dancers, movers, and creators in Albuquerque. This series is aimed to introduce and connect artists to their ABQ community. If you are interested in being a part of this series, please email info@abqdanceconnect.org or DM ABQ Dance Connect for more information.

Irlanda had always been captivated by dance. It was not until the age of 19 that she began to study ballet when she enrolled in a class as a college elective. She was immediately hooked. However, she knew that a career as a ballet dancer was not going to be possible due to the fact that she was 19. Thus she embarked in studying modern dance including Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Lester Horton technique as well as flamenco and yoga.  Ten years later, she found herself having panic attacks and sought help from a therapist who diagnosed her with PTSD. Rooted in domestic and sexual trauma healing, her PTSD treatment required her to move and became aware of her existence as a sexual creature. 

It was this that led her to decide to enroll in a pole dancing class in 2015 in order to connect with her femininity.  In pole dancing she has found a safe haven that connects all types of movements, and which allows for her to connect with her sexuality while also grounding her body and mind. Pole dancing has also given her the ability to be a full-time dancer, a dream that seemed impossible because of her late start in ballet. Since 2017, she has devoted herself to pole dancing competing at Pole Sport Organization and United State Pole Federation Events. She has performed at Shotgun Willies in Denver, Colorado, and the Crazy Horse Three in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

In 2020, she and Johanna Chong opened up @blackwidowabq with the intent of giving femmes a space to explore their sexual identities and become in tune with themselves through movement.   

Photographer: @kellijohansenart