JOIN IN CREATIVE ACTIVITIES, SEE UNIQUE PERFORMANCES, AND TOUR THE NEW 11,000 SQUARE FOOT ADDITION AND
36,000 SQUARE FOOT RENOVATION

WHO: COCA

524 Trinity Avenue in the University City Loop, St. Louis

WHAT: Community Open House to Celebrate COCA's New 11,000 Square Foot Addition

COCA invites the community to attend an Open House to celebrate the official unveiling of its new 11,000 square foot addition and 36,000 square foot renovation. Visitors of all ages can explore the new building -- which features a new lobby, a black box theatre, and a dance studio -- catch some unique performances and participate in a variety of creative activities.

WHEN: Sunday, November 6. 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Sunday's events are free and open to the public. Enjoy Free snacks and drinks.

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY

Founders' Theatre performances
1:00-1:20 p.m. - Gutbucket
1:30-2:20 p.m. - Clare Burson
3:00-3:20 p.m. - Gutbucket
3:30-3:50 p.m. - Phoebe Claggett
In between the performances - Andrew Goldenhersh, Magician
Black Box Performances
1:00-1:30 p.m. - Abigail Rose Solomon, actor and writer, performs
3:30-4:00 p.m. - Eleanor Dubinsky

Educational Opportunities, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Circus Join Alexandre Sacha Pavlata and Melinda Marsh Heywood and get off the ground and into the air in our new dynamic circus studio!
Theatre Join Ed Reggi, the Saint Louis King of Improv, in interactive improv activities for both children and adults!
Music Listen to COCA's new Vocal Ensemble, led by COCA's Phil Woodmore, as they perform works they have been developing this semester.
Visual Arts See the work of COCA's Urban Arts program in visual arts and computer animation.
Dance See COCA's resident teenage dance company, COCAdance, perform. Also see COCA's newest dance company, the Ballet Ensemble. And don't miss Yele, COCA's West African dance company!
Early Childhood Participate in a variety of early childhood activities with COCA's master instructors!

Construction on the 11,000 square foot addition began in August 2004. The added facility features a new lobby and main entrance, the largest dance studio in the building, a backstage and costume/prop shop and a black box theatre. The interior renovations include a new gallery space, key upgrades throughout the existing studios, and a centralized administrative suite. Trivers and Associates is the project architect, SM Wilson is the contractor, National City Bank financed the construction, Thompson Coburn is serving as borrower's counsel, and Stifel Nicolaus & Company is serving as the project underwriter.

Founded in 1986, COCA is a community-based arts center committed to the creation, presentation, and display of the visual and performing arts. COCA's programs include The COCA Family Theatre Series, presenting nationally recognized artists in its 400-seat theatre; educational classes, camps, and workshops in dance, music, drama, and visual arts, serving individuals aged six months through adult; artists' residencies; and exhibits of contemporary art in the Millstone Gallery. COCA's award-winning outreach program, Urban Arts, provides free arts education to low-income students throughout St. Louis. For more information about COCA, please visit its website at www.cocastl.org.