Studio Expansion Fundraiser

6 & 1/2 yrs ago, our Creative Director, Sheena Barnes took the plunge on a commercial lease to open up her dream dance studio. 

A space where EVERYBODY gets the opportunity to learn dance, no matter their age, experience, cultural background or sexual orientation. 

Sydney Vintage Dance Studio (SVDS) is more than just Sheena's studio, it has become a community hub for like minded individuals to express themselves in ways they never dreamed they could, whether it be experiencing a dance style they never thought they were worthy of, or performing on stage to a live audience, living out their once lost performance dreams or just literally having fun whilst getting fit and enjoying the gift of dance in a collective space.

The studio is a place of connection, creative ideas and a sharing of knowledge on how we can help each other in life, not just as friends, but more like family.

SVDS was birthed in October 2018 and things were full steam ahead to get on with the job, then in January of 2019 , our Director received the devastating news that they had 2 types of aggressive breast cancers.  

What followed was the hardest year of her life, pushing through and running a new business all while going through 12 months of treatment.  They maintained a presence in the studio throughout that time, however the support of all instructors  and people from the burlesque community at large all pitched in to help when chips were down.

Fast forward to March 2020 where by the majority of medical treatments were over - Uncle COVID came along - and as Sheena got better, the world got sick and then we had to kick in to another gear to figure out how to not lose the business and community all together to survive the covid storm.  1.5 years in total of teaching classes online (this is in between 3 lockdowns) in a space she had went above and beyond to put love and energy into, that was only seen by herself and her dedicated instructors was hard - but we got through.

Today on the 16th May, 2025, Sheena Barnes signed the lease for Level 2 of the building - a massive financial and exciting commitment that we are all pumped to start working on.

The plan?  To have 3 rooms offering classes each night of the week!  This means up to 10-12 classes to choose from per night!  

As the year progresses, the front of the premises will be turned into a cabaret entertainment venue - there is a lot to do there - however in the first instance we will be running events in the space under a BYO model while we work towards a licensed venue.

The name of the venue will be called GODDESS LOUNGE - in honour of our late Goddess, the inimitable Elizabeth Burton - Sydney’s most iconic burlesque performer of the 1970s!  The extra dance studio will be named the GODDESS room - to compliment our already functional Tivoli and Trocadero rooms.

2025 is a number 9 year - IYKYK!!!

To assist with getting the space of the ground in its infancy, the studio is running a fundraiser to assist with start up costs.   

We hope you can join the studio in raising funds for this community space that so many people love!

Some fabulous prizes are on offer so snap them up! 

Our goal is $15,000 and any additional dollars raised will go to BREAST CANCER CANCER TRIALS NSW - a charity that our Director believes is an integral organisation in saving women's lives.

You can check out their work here: www.breastcancertrials.org.au