Fantastic Cultural October Events Presented by COCA in St. Louis, MO

The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) celebrates the month of October in 2007 in style as it hosts an array of events for people of all ages.

On October 12, 13 and 14, don't miss the San Jose Taiko Performance - a musical and dance performance incorporating styles from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The centerpiece of the performance is the Japanese drum; it blends with African, Ballinese, and Latin American rock and jazz to create an innovative contemporary sound that bridges diverse styles. In addition, the performance includes unique choreography and eye-catching costumes, achieving musical unity and clarity. The performance will be held 7 p.m. on Friday, and 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m on Saturday and Sunday.Tickets are available for $17 and are available from the COCA box office. For more information call (314) 725-6555.

October 12 - 28, be sure to check out COCA's Playhouse Creatures, a darkly comic account of the precarious lives of Restoration actresses depicting the transformation of the company's namesake, Neil Gywn, from "orange girl" to professional player. This theatre production will be showing on every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. throughout the month of October at COCA located at 524 Trinity Ave in St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling (314) 520-9557.

On October 19, COCA will be hosting its Social Dance night to celebrate Swing Dancing and help raise money for the organization. The night will start off with beginner classes at 7 p.m., followed by an open dance night from 8 p.m. - Midnight. The Social Dance will be held at COCA's home location at 524 Trinity Ave, in St. Louis, MO. Tickets are available $10 per person or $17 per couple. Call (314) 725-6555 for more information.

The COCA's Dreamgirls Workshop can make a few starlet's dreams come true as they are taught the popular songs from the stage and screen versions of the popular play and movie, Dreamgirls. The workshop is offered to girls in grades 3-6 and will end with a final "share-time" performance to showcase their hard work. The workshop will be held on October 20, from 1 - 4 p.m. at COCA's home location at 524 Trinity Ave in St. Louis, MO. The cost is $40 per girl. For more information, contact Tom Wickersham at (314) 725-1834, ext. 102.

On October 28, get your little ones out the house for some fun with books at the Leo Lionni Workshop for children ages 3-6. This workshop celebrates the books and art of Leo Lionni, an author and illustrator of more than thirty books, including Swimmy, Frederick and Inch by Inch. He will share stories, help the children create colorful collages, and explore the wonderful ways bodies can move just like some of the creatures in his books. Don't miss the fun! The Leo Lionni Workshop costs $20 and will be held from 2 - 3:30 p.m. at COCA. For more information, contact Tom Wickersham at (314) 725-1834, ext. 102.

The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) serves approximately 50,000 adults and children from over 150 different zip codes each year. COCA's multidisciplinary and multicultural arts programs include performances in our 400-seat theatre; educational classes, camps, and workshops serving individuals ages six months through adult; artists' residencies, exhibits of contemporary art in the Millstone Gallery at COCA; and an extensive outreach program offered to low-income youth through its nationally recognized Urban Arts Program.