Help Jawaahir Dance Survive in Minneapolis

As Alice Walker put it, “Hard times require furious dancing.” Cassandra Shore and the dancers of Jawaahir Dance Company know this well. They are trying to continue their  mission of bringing the joy of Middle Eastern dance and music to the Minneapolis community and beyond.

Now, more than ever, they need your help to do this.

After the heartbreaking events that recently unfolded in Minneapolis, stemming from the horrifying killing of George Floyd and continuing with the riots and violence that followed, the Jawaahir/Cassandra School dance studio is in trouble. Located right next door to the embattled MPD 3rd precinct, just off the corner of Minnehaha and Lake in south Minneapolis, the building housing the dance studio was besieged for several days and nights. While the building and the  studio itself were, thankfully, not a total loss, there is smoke, water, fire, and property damage inside.

Sadly, this comes at a time when the dance company and school were already struggling to stay viable in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. After several months of closed doors and cancelled shows, and with the unavoidable cancellation of the studio’s annual fundraiser gala this May, and Jawaahir and The Cassandra School are far behind on both fundraising and earned revenue to meet basic expenses.

This treasured Minneapolis dance company has been active since 1989, offering dance classes, workshops, special guest artists from around the globe, school and community performances, theater shows with live Middle Eastern music, and so much more for decades. Founder and director Cassandra Shore has kept the studio up through thick and thin. But now, without immediate financial help, we risk losing this artistic voice in our community.

Donations will go directly to Jawaahir Dance Company and The Cassandra School. The funds will be used to offset costs beyond what is covered under insurance. This includes repairing the studio floor, cleaning and repairing damage from smoke and water in both the studio and the upstairs office, cleaning costumes, paying rent and utilities, investing in future programming, and paying teachers who will soon be able to offer online classes.

We all know that getting back to a place where dance classes and performances can be held safely depends on many factors. With your generous help, in time Jawaahir and The Cassandra School will be able to forge a path to a “new normal,” where the unique power of Middle Eastern dance and music can continue to be a force for good in our community, our city, and our world.

Thank you so much for your support!