Emily Mire bought Studio S in Destrehan five years ago. Since then, she said the dance studio has become a second home to many of her dancers.
“Sometimes I say the ‘S’ in Studio S stands for sanctuary,” she said. “If there is a child out there who wants to dance … who wants to try it … just come here. I’m opening my doors … come dance with me. It’s a place for self-expression. It’s a place to be yourself.”
The past couple of years, Mire said, have hit some of her dancers and their families particularly hard. The pandemic, coupled with Hurricane Ida, has left many parents and caretakers without the extra money needed to fund dance classes.
“We have a few families in the studio who have come across some hard times,” she said. “I’ve been able to cover the cost of things they need, but I’m running out of my own funds to do it and I was brainstorming ways to help them. The prices of everything have gone through the roof … I just reached my ceiling.”
Mire has organized a studio-wide garage sale that will be held on August 13 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1 Storehouse Lane in Destrehan. The plan is to have it in the studio’s parking lot, but the sale will be moved inside in the event of bad weather.
Proceeds will benefit dancers affected by COVID and Hurricane Ida. Items for sale will include bedding, home décor, baby gear and more. Drinks and snacks will also be sold, and there will be a 50/50 raffle.
“A lot of these families who I’m hoping to help support – they were already dancing and it was at risk of being taken away. I can’t let that happen,” Mire said. “I’m hoping the garage sale gives me enough to fund a few years for these families. If I need to I’ll make it an annual thing.”
Mire said it means “absolutely everything” to her to be able to help these families. She has made a habit of helping others – after Hurricane Ida destroyed River Region Ballet in Norco, she offered for those dancers to attend her studio at half of the normal cost.
“Dancers need to dance,” she said. “Not just physically – but mentally and everything else. I can’t not let them dance.”
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