Canberra’s dance community has rallied to support the Subsdance Dance Studio which was listed as a COVID-19 exposure site for a 10 August 6-8pm timeslot.
Running for over 11 years, Kingston’s Subsdance prides itself for building an inclusive and diverse community of dancers from all different age groups, ethnicities, and skill sets.
Over 70 members have been affected and ordered to be in quarantine. Despite the news, the Subsdance community have outpoured their love and support to one another during this uncertain time.
Studio Director, Charlie Chapstik says, “The response of the Subsdance family has been overwhelming. From the close contacts all rallying and getting tested despite ridiculous wait times, outpourings of love, offerings of help and support for everyone affected. A scary and worrying time suddenly had a glittering purple lining; as always, the Subsdance community showed up for each other through the toughest of times.”
Charlie had planned to create Quarantine Care Packages out of her own pocket but due to the high volume of support from the other members, decided to work together.
“After seeing the countless messages pledging support, asking how they can help and offering financial aid to each other, it felt almost like a dishonour to your kindness to try and cut people out of helping each other. In these times where we feel so helpless, it does feel good to do something for someone else.”
The Subsdance community turned to crowdfunding by creating a mycause fundraising page.
Within the first two days, the campaign was flooded with messages of support and quickly exceeded its goal by raising $1,675 – www.mycause.com.au/subsdancestudio
One donor comments, “Love to everyone, especially the COVID case! Hang in there, we’ll get through it.”
Charlie says, “We want to show our members that we are far from blaming them, or being against them; we are with them through this unconditionally.”
All funds raised go towards creating Quarantine Care Packages and help aid the financial stress of buying groceries, petrol and medication while the affected people are unable to work.
“The person who did test positive is slowly healing, but will be unable to work for a while and it is so important to us that they know their Subsdance family has got their back.
“This could have happened to anyone. They weren’t doing anything wrong, not breaking rules or putting anyone else at risk. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time,” says Charlie.
The dance studio pledges that any leftover funds raised will be donated to the Subdance positive case and donated to an appropriate cause helping with the COVID-19 crisis in Canberra.
