SOC!ETY DANCE ACADEMY

IRIENA HERRERA WAS INSPIRED TO DANCE AS A YOUNG CHILD BY HER MOTHER AND AUNT, BOTH OF WHOM WERE GREAT SALSA DANCERS.  A NATIVE OF NYC’S LOWER EAST SIDE SHE GREW UP IN THE HOTBED OF DANCE ACTIVITY IN THE ALFRED SMITH HOUSING PROJECTS. HERRERA STARTED CLUBBING WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT 13-YEARS OLD.

"DANCING WAS THE ONE AREA OF MY LIFE I WAS ALWAYS PROUD OF, THE ONLY THING IN MY LIFE I COULD ALWAYS DO RIGHT” SHE REMARKS. “YOU CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME.” DURING THE FILMING OF CHECK YOUR BODY AT THE DOOR HERRERA WAS IN FULL CONTROL OF HER LIFE AND HER DANCING DURING A LONG PERIOD OF REMISSION FROM HER DRUG ADDICTION, AS SHE OPENLY TALKS ABOUT IN THE FILM.

AS AN ACTIVIST AND SOCIAL WORKER IN THE EARLY 1990S, SHE WORKED IN A DRUG OUTREACH PROGRAM OF THE HISPANIC AIDS FORUM IN THE BRONX. HER GOAL WAS TO REACH OUT TO WOMEN-AT-RISK IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THEIR SPECIFIC HEALTH NEEDS. CURRENTLY “MISSING IN ACTION” THE CHECK YOUR BODY AT THE DOOR FAMILY SENDS OUT LOVE AND SUPPORT WHEREVER SHE MIGHT BE.