I think I’ve mentioned many times that I am a student at Zohar School of Dance.  I’ve been there for nearly a year now and I cannot tell you how much I enjoy it.

Since I’ve been attending classes here, I’ve heard about this lengthy ongoing process that’s kept the companies renting space at the Cubberley Community Center unsure if they would continue to have a “home.”  A few times we, the students, have been asked to come to hearings to support the studio maintaining its place.  As I understand it, it was announced a few weeks ago that Zohar will keep its space for at least another 3-5 years!  That’s definitely a cause for celebration.

While all this is fantastic news, the decision has been made that the facility could use some repairs.  As I am sure you all know, funds for non-profit companies have been tougher and tougher to come by.  And Artistic non-profits take the hardest hit of all.  So I have decided to turn to you, my dear, dear friends of Dance and fellow Dancers to ask for your help.

On Labor Day weekend, Zohar would love to kick off its “Facility Facelift” campaign.  There are a few ways to help.

1.  Time – If you happen to be free on either Saturday or Sunday, September 1st or 2nd, we would love to have some extra hands on deck to help with a number of tasks.  It could be anything from framing pictures to clearing chairs to assembling furniture or helping to repair our dance floor.  The fun begins at 1:00 pm on Saturday.  If you are handy with power tools and have some, we would REALLY love to have you come out and help.

2.  Wish List  – In the studios there is a message board that has our instructors on it.  Under their pictures, there is a “wish list” of items that each teach would love to have at the studio.  It ranges from things like CD racks or fans for cooling down the studio.  Simply pull off the tab of the item you would like to “purchase” for the studio (by donating that dollar amount)  place your name and contact information on it and place it in the little black and white box on the check-in window’s counter.  If you’d like to come into the studios to check out the board you can find directions here:  zohardancecompany.org/directions Maybe you can squeeze in a class while you are here!

3. Individual Donation –  Zohar accepts donations 24-7 via their website zohardancecompany.org/donors.  If you can’t help out with your time or by buying a wish list item, any amount that you can donate will go toward the improvements and will be GREATLY appreciated.

4. Sharing – We know that there must be people out there that are able and maybe if you simply share this page with your friends and families, maybe we can reach enough people that are willing to help.  Zohar offers a number of community programs that are focused on youth and people who may not have the chance to be exposed to dance.  The earned income of the dance studio mainly pays for those programs and leaves just a very very small portion to help with this project.  If  you would like to learn more about the outreach programs Zohar offers you can find that here: zohardancecompany.org/outreach

A number of us students are happily rolling up our sleeves to help with this project but it would be such a quick project if we had the help of the community.

Please consider donating or sharing to help us make these improvements.  You will be celebrated as a staunch supporter of Dance by the faculty, students, and Board of Directors on the message boards!  Not only that, your donations are tax deductible!

I truly thank you for your time and leave you with these last few words:

“The next time you look into the mirror,

just look at the way the ears rest next to the head;

look at the way the hairline grows;

think of all the little bones in your wrist.

It is a miracle. And the dance is a 

celebration of that miracle.”

– Martha Graham

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”Dancing is a very living art.

It is essentially of the moment, although a very old art.

A dancer’s art is lived while he is dancing.

Nothing is left of his art except the pictures and the memories

-when his dancing days are over.”

– Martha Graham