Thank you all for your incredible support!

You have overloaded the City Council with your calls, emails, and messages, and we appreciate it more than you know.

Update: Our zoning project will NOT be voted on at the upcoming council meeting on Tuesday, April 29.

More details to follow soon — stay tuned!

An Open Letter to Our Community: Seeking Your Support for DanceWorks Studio’s New Home

Dear Jerseyville Friends, Families, and Neighbors,

For the past 26 years, DanceWorks Studio has proudly served thousands of children and families in our community. From tiny ballerinas taking their first steps to teenagers building confidence through movement, our studio has always been more than just a place to dance.

Our mission is to provide space to explore, to create, to dream, and to belong.

We are writing to ask for your support.

Our current location on Highway 16 is no longer meeting the needs of our growing student body. Parking is extremely limited, traffic congestion creates ongoing safety issues, and our schedule is completely maxed out. We’ve explored every option to expand or remodel, but the layout and footprint of our building simply won’t allow it. We already have waitlists for several classes because we simply don’t have the space.

We are ready to grow — and we’ve found the perfect spot to do it. On the corner of Franklin and June Street, on land we already own, we envision a fresh start in a space with ample parking, better accessibility, and room to expand. The property is in a TIF district, which indicates a plan for eventual development, and is located near the city park, city pool, baseball, soccer, and football fields, surrounded by public and recreational facilities — making it an ideal location for the family oriented business that we envision.

Unfortunately, in a narrow 4–3 vote, tonight the Planning and Zoning Board chose not to recommend our rezoning request to the city council. The city council will have the final say on Tuesday, April 29.

If this decision stands, we will be forced to permanently close our NinjaZone program — our newest and fastest growing class for kids who love movement, obstacle training, and building strength. There is simply no room left in our schedule at our current location to continue offering it. (The nearest alternative option for similar ninja training is in Collinsville, IL or Chesterfield, MO.)

We hear it all the time: "Our kids need more to do."
We agree — and we’re trying to be part of the solution.

DanceWorks has always strived to create a place where children and teens can stay active, make friends, express themselves, and grow into confident young people. This new facility would allow us to continue doing just that — and more — for families in Jerseyville and the surrounding towns. It would also bring people into our area, support local businesses, and help our community thrive.

If DanceWorks has made a difference in your child’s life — if you believe in the power of the arts, in inclusive spaces for kids, or in supporting small businesses that give back — we ask you to speak up.

Please contact your city council representatives and tell them you support our rezoning request. Here is their info: https://jerseyville-il.us/government/staff_directory.php

Tell them why DanceWorks matters. Why having something to do matters. Why keeping programs like NinjaZone alive matters.

Your voice can help turn this around.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Shannon Blackorby
Owner/Director, DanceWorks Studio
shannon@danceworksstudio.net