Dear Neighbors and Friends of CKDS,
This has been an incredibly challenging time for all of us. We have endured a pandemic shutdown, the tragic loss of loved ones, the omicron wave, and ever-changing rules and guidelines. Like so many other small businesses and arts organizations we are also suffering the actions of a landlord desperate for higher rent who has been applying pressures we can no longer endure.
In the interest of maintaining a positive atmosphere at the studio I have kept this struggle quiet. I have hoped with all my heart that we’d find a solution and not have to move (and certainly not have to disband!). Unfortunately, we will have to leave the studio we have called home for the past 9 years.
BUT…HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS! I’m excited to announce that we have found a beautiful, storybook community partnership which is providing us with a safety net and helping prevent any interruption in our training and artistic mission. It’s just blocks away at the corner of Church Ave and East 5th Street!
We will be able to begin our residency in July at the Flatbush Jewish Center: 327 East 5th Street!
This local synagogue:
Is a progressive and welcoming place...the president of their board is a black woman, a mother, a school principal, and a former CKDS dancer!!!!
- Their mission includes building a safe community for intersected identities, ages, and abilities and “to be the change and effect the change that we want to see in the world.”
FJC is committed to being active in the greater community in which they are located.
While it’s difficult (even heartbreaking) to have to leave the home we designed, built, and filled with memories, securing a space to continue dancing is most important. June 1st marks the 20th year of CKDS! We will continue to look for a more permanent home but are thrilled that we can KEEP DANCING together - uninterrupted! We won’t stop training, creating, expressing, laughing, and performing.
Your continued support means so much to us and there are many ways you can help us through this transition:
Donate to our upcoming GoFundMe (or donate directly to the studio now: https://cynthiakingdance.com/donate)
- Join us for our Spring Cleaning Yard Sale at 21 Snyder Ave. (June 11 & 12)
- Lend a hand as we walk our costume racks, props, and thousands of tutus over to the new space :)
Continue dancing with us for years to come!
Thank you all for your commitment to dance, arts, and culture. Now more than ever…we need to stay immersed in the things that make us happy and healthy.
With love and gratitude,
Cynthia King
