Hi dear friends, family, and fellow artists.

I’m reaching out for support at this time as I’ve had to take a 6 week hiatus from my livelihood and only income source to recover from a valenti cheilectomy toe surgery I underwent on 2/26.

What is my livelihood?

I’ve been so lucky to have been able to build a life in the performing arts and a long term, successful business as a professional bellydancer. I have supported myself entirely this way since…forever! It’s an amazing job I still love so much, despite the continued challenges. The necessity of prioritizing gigs over anything else to afford the cost of living in NYC… you can end up missing out on a lot. And you can spend years hacking it alone without help, as I currently do.

Why did I need this surgery?

To continue working as a gigging dancer for as long as I can (need to) until a full career transition is possible - which is still several years away. I’ve slowed down my pace, prioritizing quality over quantity. However, for many years, I performed up to 10 gigs a week, which resulted in overuse injuries and advanced arthritis at an early age. This has led to chronic and often severe pain.

Over the last 2 years I’ve gotten several steroid shots in my toe joints (0/10 do not recommend ) to try and manage the worsening pain all while never taking a break from gigging. Stresssssssful. I put off doing the recommended surgery to improve my pain and mobility as long as possible until the doctors said no more shots and here we are.

Where am I now and what do I need?

If all goes according to plan, I’ll be back on my feet and dancing pain free by early April if not sooner! I had intended to set myself up with some temporary remote work, or convert my apartment back into a 2 br to sublet a room, and other ideas to financially survive this time off- but none of that came together. It’s been a lot just making the surgery happen.

I have set my goal to cover just 1 month of rent/utilities. If I'm able to raise the funds to make up half of my monthly cost of living (around 5K) - it'll be a huge help in preventing me from getting so far behind that it will be a real struggle to get caught up and also to prioritize my recovery. Any small amount, even $10 makes a difference.

How else can you support besides donating to this campaign?

Another way you can support is to book a private lesson with me this month or next. Virtual or in person at my home studio in Greenpoint. Currently I’m offering:

-Performance coaching and staging

-Business development sessions

-Help with tailoring a full classic show for any event

-Zills Skillz

You can also book me for your late spring/summer event! I will be well rested with a spring in my step :)

I'm also offering astrology readings! This is a longtime love of mine, having learned how to read charts at a young age from my esoteric father. Natal charts, solar returns, full/new moon/eclipse forecasts tailored for you - hit me up!

And dancers I have 6 gorgeous costumes for sale! An album will go up this week.

Send a dm on my IG @laylaisis to inquire about any of these other offerings.

Thank you so much everyone.

❤️,

Layla