COCAcabana 2013: More Than $800,000 Raised

The fundraiser, hosted by Billy Bush of Access Hollywood, exceeded expectations.

COCA’s spring fundraiser, COCAcabana: After Dark on Friday, raised more than $800,000, exceeding organizers goals by $100,000. All proceeds from the April 26 event benefit COCA’s education and outreach programs. “I continue to be amazed by and grateful for the generosity of our donors,” said Kelly Pollock, COCA Executive Director, said in a press release. “It was a wonderful evening, enjoyed by all, and the positive effects will be felt long after Friday night. Thanks to the evening’s success, there are students that can now attend COCA classes or have COCA outreach programs brought to their schools that would otherwise not have had those opportunities.” COCA annually provides more than $800,000 in arts programs at no cost in low- income …

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Get Out

Get Out: Green Ball, COCAcabana, U City in Bloom Plant Sale

Lots of activities this weekend in University City and the Delmar Loop in particular.

It's a busy weekend in University City, full of fun activities.  Here are some ideas for the weekend of April 26-28. Friday, April 26 Saturday, April 27 Sunday, April 28 What are you doing this weekend?

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Cartooning, Cookie Monster at COCA Summer Camps

Registration for summer camp sessions begins Feb. 26.

Those wishing to enroll their children in the Center of Creative Arts (COCA)'s 2013 Summer Arts Camps can start Feb. 26, according to a news release.  Camps, held at COCA in University City and Whitfield School in Creve Coeur, are geared toward students ages 3-18. Camps focus in theater, dance, music, visual arts and culinary arts, and many are multidisciplinary. Advanced programs like Commercial Dance and Digital Video are geared toward teens who have some experience in the field. Try camps like Cookie Monster, Cartooning, Claymation, iPad Illustration, Green Cuisine, Hip-Hop, and Theatre Design Intensive. Morning, afternoon and full-day options are available for one- to two-week sessions. Prices vary by camp, with discounts available to …

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One Day Engagement: The Mark of Zorro at COCA

The COCA Family Theatre Series presents a special one day engagement on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The 2012-2013 COCA Family Theatre Series presents two performances of Visible Fictions’ The Mark of Zorro, a timeless tale about a mysterious masked avenger that conjures up all the fast-paced drama, wit and nail-biting suspense of an action film on Jan. 26, 2013. Zorro ricochets from one sticky situation to another in a world where adventure is the name and justice is the game. A trio of actors performs every role. This swashbuckling adventure from Scotland’s Visible Fictions (Jason and the Argonauts, COCA 2009) is suited for intrepid adventurers of all ages. The Mark of Zorro is the fifth installment of the 2012-2013 COCA Family Theatre Series.

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COCA's Annual 'The Little Dancer' Set for Dec. 7-9

The annual holiday show tells the tale of Degas' famous statuette.

The 2012-2013 COCA Family Theatre Series presents three performances of its holiday tradition, The Little Dancer, December 7-9. The Little Dancer tells the tale of Degas’ famous statuette, who comes to life and finds herself in various scenes depicted in works of art. This year, the title character discovers three-dimensional art and explores this form by dancing among the pieces with choreography inspired by the artwork itself. Hundreds of colorful costumes and a clear storyline make this production a wonderful introduction to dance and visual art for children and their families. This hour-long story ballet features students from the greater St. Louis area. This year’s lead role of the Little Dancer will be performed Mariana Jurado of …

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Holidays Happenings 2012

Holiday Happenings: Gifts for Artists

Places to shop for the creative people in your life.

Welcome to Holiday Happenings, a daily column that will give you five ideas of ways to shop in University City for those you love this holiday season. Each weekday Patch will have ideas for gifts based on a theme—sports lover, outdoorsman, the reader or last-minute gifts. The Delmar Loop is full of great places to supply your favorite creative type with everything they need. 

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U City Hosting Missouri Statewide Preservation Conference

The conference begins today and runs through Oct. 26.

Preservationists from around the state will gather in University City for the 26th Annual Statewide Missouri Preservation Conference Oct. 24-26, at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA).  This year’s conference theme “Preservation = Character” features advanced level educational sessions and workshops as well as courses for beginning preservationists. The three-day event also includes tours of local historic points of interest, a trade show component, and local preservation awards. Residents and officials of University City are very excited about the opportunity to host this major conference. The city has seen a revitalization of the Delmar Loop with many successful adaptive reuses of historic buildings.   The iconic City Hall, originally the…

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Loop Media Hub Planners Meet with Taiwan Delegation

The group, which wants to create a smart city in University City, will discuss its plans.

The International Biotechnology Enhanced by Cloud Computing Workshop was held at the 2012 Midwest Chinese American Science and Technology Association (MCASTA) Annual Symposium Sept. 8. During the Symposium David Sandel, president of Sandel & Associates, and director of The Loop Media Hub Feasibility Study gave a keynote presentation “Smart City - Where Community Evolution and Technical Opportunity Meet.” After the Symposium Sandel, the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission, the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) and Washington University Skandalaris Institute participated in a meeting with Taipei Taiwan Education and Culture representative Director Wu to discuss a concept for a University City Loop based Smart City Innovation and Entrepreneurial …

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Get Fit with Circus Stunts and Hula Hoops

The fitness series at COCA in University City offers a wide variety of options for fun fitness classes.

We all know that COCA (Center of Creative Arts) has fantastic art programs for children and adults alike. But did you know they have fitness classes as well? Check out the Fox 2 video of circus performer Josh Routh. COCA has several classes in its call "Off the Couch" series for fun, outside-the-box fitness classes. Fall class schedules begin Sept. 4 and run through December.  Here's a few fun fitness ideas for fall.  September October November To register for any of the classes, visit www.cocastl.org or call 314.725.6555.

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Two Former COCA Employees Killed in Crash

Men were fatally injured in a vehicle accident in Mississippi.

Two former employees of the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) were killed in an automobile accident in Mississippi. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the accident occurred Monday on Interstate 55, about 85 miles north of Jackson, MS. The men ran Barnyard M Kitcjen, a local food truck.  Clifton "Cliff" Collins, 57, of Cool Valley, and Elmo "Mo" Davis, 55, of St. John, died in the crash when the SUV they were in flipped over. Two other passengers were injured in the accident.  For a full report on the accident, click here. COCA tweeted the organization's sympathies Thursday.  The Post-Dispatch reports that a joint visitation for the men will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 5515 Martin Luther…

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