Cherished VAMPS Dance community,
It is with a heavy heart to share that we have vacated our 5th street location as of May 1, 2020. Moreover, in the spirit of transparency, resolution, and love, VAMPS Dance today announces its permanent business closure.
The impacts of coronavirus have been detrimental to small businesses, including VAMPS. Although we have worked hard to pivot our offerings, the loss of income from traveling parties makes our business unfeasible, as they bring in 70% of our revenue. Without being able to host them, and without timely funding or assistance from either state or federal entities, we have no other option but to close.
VAMPS Dance launched in 2010 as a way to bring pole dance, exotic fitness, and a holistic approach to wellness to the Austin community. We are proud to have been a pole fitness pioneer in central Texas, changing lives with exceptional instruction and an empowering mission. Our aim was to cultivate each individual’s potential to love themselves fully, appreciate their body, and love their sexy. As a result, our students have been nothing short of inspirational. Many have gone on to win pole competitions or receive pole teacher certifications themselves; many more have discovered that they are stronger than they ever thought possible, both physically and emotionally. The positive energy generated inside our walls has rippled out into the community, leaving Austin a more creative, joyful place.
We never could have prepared for this crisis, as so much has been out of our control. Our staff of part-time instructors are finding themselves without this partial but vital income. Shelbi and I have lost all income. We share these details not because we are disempowered, but for additional context for our closure. In addition, we know many of you have account credits and deposits you were hoping to be able to use in the future. At this time, we deeply regret that we are not able to honor credits or issue refunds. We have always bent over backwards and done everything we could to work with folks financially, but with a unique tragedy on our hands, we are most likely filing for bankruptcy.
Every single student, instructor, private party, and special event that has taken place in our studio over the past decade has given us a personal resolve to pick up the pieces. Our loss is profound, but we are connected to a vast network of individuals who are suddenly unemployed and seeking help. We can only trust that we will all end up in a better place when this is over, and if there is a silver lining for VAMPS personally, it is that we had the beautiful blessing of our last 10-Year Anniversary Showcase right before lockdown hit. The passion shared that night on-stage, from our incredible community of artists, was the best parting gift we could have asked for.
With tears in our eyes, it’s time to express a round of heartfelt gratitude.
We are so grateful to our landlord who took the chance on a pole studio back in 2011, when no one else wanted to rent to us. We have created such a special home there, imbuing those four walls with laughter and beauty. He has been more than kind and understanding with us as we make this transition.
And finally, thank you to our regular, longstanding students, our new students, our team of past and current staff, our private party clients, our enthusiastic event attendees, and those who have supported us every step of the way. Collectively, you all left us with 10 years of amazing memories.
Each of you embody love. You are the fabric of VAMPS Dance. We can’t thank you enough, and from the very bottom of our hearts and souls, we will miss you deeply. Keep loving your sexy!
Sincerely,
Amber Tarcha, Shelbi Aiona and The Vamps Team
It is with a heavy heart to share that we have vacated our 5th street location as of May 1, 2020. Moreover, in the spirit of transparency, resolution, and love, VAMPS Dance today announces its permanent business closure.
The impacts of coronavirus have been detrimental to small businesses, including VAMPS. Although we have worked hard to pivot our offerings, the loss of income from traveling parties makes our business unfeasible, as they bring in 70% of our revenue. Without being able to host them, and without timely funding or assistance from either state or federal entities, we have no other option but to close.
VAMPS Dance launched in 2010 as a way to bring pole dance, exotic fitness, and a holistic approach to wellness to the Austin community. We are proud to have been a pole fitness pioneer in central Texas, changing lives with exceptional instruction and an empowering mission. Our aim was to cultivate each individual’s potential to love themselves fully, appreciate their body, and love their sexy. As a result, our students have been nothing short of inspirational. Many have gone on to win pole competitions or receive pole teacher certifications themselves; many more have discovered that they are stronger than they ever thought possible, both physically and emotionally. The positive energy generated inside our walls has rippled out into the community, leaving Austin a more creative, joyful place.
We never could have prepared for this crisis, as so much has been out of our control. Our staff of part-time instructors are finding themselves without this partial but vital income. Shelbi and I have lost all income. We share these details not because we are disempowered, but for additional context for our closure. In addition, we know many of you have account credits and deposits you were hoping to be able to use in the future. At this time, we deeply regret that we are not able to honor credits or issue refunds. We have always bent over backwards and done everything we could to work with folks financially, but with a unique tragedy on our hands, we are most likely filing for bankruptcy.
Every single student, instructor, private party, and special event that has taken place in our studio over the past decade has given us a personal resolve to pick up the pieces. Our loss is profound, but we are connected to a vast network of individuals who are suddenly unemployed and seeking help. We can only trust that we will all end up in a better place when this is over, and if there is a silver lining for VAMPS personally, it is that we had the beautiful blessing of our last 10-Year Anniversary Showcase right before lockdown hit. The passion shared that night on-stage, from our incredible community of artists, was the best parting gift we could have asked for.
With tears in our eyes, it’s time to express a round of heartfelt gratitude.
We are so grateful to our landlord who took the chance on a pole studio back in 2011, when no one else wanted to rent to us. We have created such a special home there, imbuing those four walls with laughter and beauty. He has been more than kind and understanding with us as we make this transition.
And finally, thank you to our regular, longstanding students, our new students, our team of past and current staff, our private party clients, our enthusiastic event attendees, and those who have supported us every step of the way. Collectively, you all left us with 10 years of amazing memories.
Each of you embody love. You are the fabric of VAMPS Dance. We can’t thank you enough, and from the very bottom of our hearts and souls, we will miss you deeply. Keep loving your sexy!
Sincerely,
Amber Tarcha, Shelbi Aiona and The Vamps Team
FAQ's
So, VAMPS Dance is permanently closed?
Yes, VAMPS Dance has permanently closed down. This means that we will not be offering virtual classes, privates, or bachelorette parties now or in the future.
Will virtual class options continue to be available?
Unfortunately, virtual classes will no longer be scheduled.
Will you be issuing refunds on class passes, gift cards, or
bachelorette parties?
No. Unfortunately, due to the business shutting down permanently, we cannot offer refunds for class passes, gift cards, or bachelorette parties. The studio is facing bankruptcy so we are seeking legal and financial assistance to address the debts we are now left with.
What are some other pole fitness options?
We recommend following your instructors:
Shelbi Aiona (@shelbiaiona)
Zoja Ulesoo (@zojaulesoo)
Raven Wilkins (@raventhegreatwilkins)
Villanelle (@v_for_villanelle)
Melissa (@melississipi.pole)
Erykca (@boobiesmagoobies)
for future online courses, privates, and events that they will be hosting or participating in.
For online non-pole exotic movement classes, check out our favorite, StripXpertease, behind closed doors!
Once local studios are able to re-open, we also recommend classes at ATX Pole Fitness, Brass Ovaries Pole, Inner Diva Studios, Lache Movement, Minx + Muse, Sky Candy, and soFly Social.
Will you keep your Facebook Group, IG, and Web-site up?
We will be keeping our social media and web-site up through the end of May, however, after that, we plan to go through the process of closing studio social media accounts down.
I need to contact you, how can I do that?
After June 1, 2020 we will be permanently shutting down our email and social media accounts and will be no longer able to be contacted as our office officially closes down. Our phone number has been disconnected as well.
Yes, VAMPS Dance has permanently closed down. This means that we will not be offering virtual classes, privates, or bachelorette parties now or in the future.
Will virtual class options continue to be available?
Unfortunately, virtual classes will no longer be scheduled.
Will you be issuing refunds on class passes, gift cards, or
bachelorette parties?
No. Unfortunately, due to the business shutting down permanently, we cannot offer refunds for class passes, gift cards, or bachelorette parties. The studio is facing bankruptcy so we are seeking legal and financial assistance to address the debts we are now left with.
What are some other pole fitness options?
We recommend following your instructors:
Shelbi Aiona (@shelbiaiona)
Zoja Ulesoo (@zojaulesoo)
Raven Wilkins (@raventhegreatwilkins)
Villanelle (@v_for_villanelle)
Melissa (@melississipi.pole)
Erykca (@boobiesmagoobies)
for future online courses, privates, and events that they will be hosting or participating in.
For online non-pole exotic movement classes, check out our favorite, StripXpertease, behind closed doors!
Once local studios are able to re-open, we also recommend classes at ATX Pole Fitness, Brass Ovaries Pole, Inner Diva Studios, Lache Movement, Minx + Muse, Sky Candy, and soFly Social.
Will you keep your Facebook Group, IG, and Web-site up?
We will be keeping our social media and web-site up through the end of May, however, after that, we plan to go through the process of closing studio social media accounts down.
I need to contact you, how can I do that?
After June 1, 2020 we will be permanently shutting down our email and social media accounts and will be no longer able to be contacted as our office officially closes down. Our phone number has been disconnected as well.