THE SPARROW, THE LITTLE DANCER, TALES, RAGTIME and More Set for COCA's 2013-14 Season

COCA announces its upcoming events, performances and exhibitions for 2013-14. Details below!

September 3-December 18

COCA 2013-2014 Fall and Winter/Spring Arts Classes
COCA provides child, teen and adult classes in Art and Design, Early Childhood, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Social and Cultural Dance, Fitness, Theatre, and Voice and Music. Registration for Fall 2013 begins July 1 and ends September 23. Multi-class discounts and payment plans available. Classes are held at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information.

September 13

COCA Gallery Exhibition: Hybrid Terrain - Dickson Beall and Barb Flunker
COCA presents a collaborative exhibition between Dickson Beall, painter and contemporary videographer, and Barb Flunker, expressionist action painter. Flunker will exhibit a powerful body of work created from extremely personal materials originating from a difficult personal loss. Beall will interpret Flunker's work through a lens of metaphor and modernity. This multimedia exhibition will examine the overwhelming journey from mourning a loss, to self-directed consolation, and eventually to the renewal that we all experience. This emotional progression parallels the artistic process, cycles in the natural world and many relevant social issues. Opening reception is Friday, September 13, from 6:00-8:00pm in the Millstone Gallery at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Free and open to the public through Sunday, November 17. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information.

October 4-6

COCA Theatre Company: The Sparrow
COCA Theatre Company (CTC) presents The Sparrow, an innovative play intertwined with music, video and movement, telling the story of Emily Book, a small-town girl returning home 10 years after a tragic accident that claimed the lives of her entire class. Emily's return grows stranger as her unusual powers are revealed. The Sparrow is directed by Josh Routh, with video production by Ginger Routh. 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. Performances are Friday, October 4, at 7:00pm; Saturday, October 5, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm; Sunday, October 6, at 1:00pm, at COCA. Tickets are $9.

October 19-20

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Purveyor of family hip-hop at its finest, recording artist 23 Skidoo has captivated crowds internationally with his own funky brand of half-pint party music. Combining deft wordplay, great storytelling and pure positivity on top of thumping drums and sophisticated multi-instrumental pieces, 23 Skidoo speaks to kids and parents alike, without ever condescending. Recommended for ages 3 to 10. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is presented as part of the American Arts Experience St. Louis, October 4-20. Performances are Saturday, October 19, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm and Sunday, October 20, at 1:00pm and 4:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $10-14. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

October 25-26

COCA Presents 2013-2014: The Turn of the Screw - A COCA Production
Henry James' provocative psychological thriller The Turn of the Screw has a contemporary re-telling by Jeffrey Hatcher. A governess alone in the English countryside suspects the orphans in her care are connected to spirits she sees roaming the estate. Does something sinister lurk behind the children's innocent faces, or are the ghosts just a product of her own fevered imagination? This COCA production is directed by Shawn Flanigan. Recommended for teens and adults. Performances are Friday, October 25, at 7:00pm and 9:00pm and Saturday, October 26, at 7:00pm and 9:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $20. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

November 2

COCA Presents 2013-2014: John Cabrera: H+
More than 10 million viewers have tuned in to the wildly popular H+ The Digital Series, about an apocalyptic future where technology has spiraled out of control. This event includes a screening of select episodes, followed by a Q&A with creator John Cabrera on how lines have blurred among television,
film and the Internet, creating a new art form in the digital series and changing the face of narrative storytelling. H+ The Digital Series is produced by Bryan Singer and Warner Brothers. Recommended for teens and adults. Speaker and screening is Saturday, November 2, at 7:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $10-14. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

November 16-17

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Pinocchio - Thèâtre Tout à Trac
Théâtre Tout à Trac revisits the story of a boy born out of a talking piece of wood who discovers the meaning of growing up through a thousand trials with its English language premiere of Pinocchio. To become a "real" boy, he will have to face the terrible Puppet Theatre Director, suffer the malice of Mr. Fox and the Cat, escape from Toyland and save his father from the belly of a giant fish! Recommended for ages 5 to 12. Performances are Saturday, November 16, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm and Sunday, November 17, at 1:00pm and 4:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $16-20. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

December 6

COCA Gallery Exhibition: Tradition - Stewart Halperin
St. Louis-based travel photographer Stewart Halperin, renowned for his iconic images of Venice's Carnival, shares a selection of photographs from his 40-year career that highlight striking cultural customs and rituals from around the globe. This exhibition will coincide with COCA's annual holiday story ballet The Little Dancer: Through a New Lens, which will feature Halperin's photographs in its artistic backdrop. Opening reception is Friday, December 6, from 6:00-8:00pm in the Millstone Gallery at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Free and open to the public through Sunday, February 9. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information.

December 14-15

COCA Presents 2013-2014: The Little Dancer: Through a New Lens - COCA's Ballet Eclectica
The COCA holiday tradition returns! Internationally-known St. Louis photographer Stewart Halperin provides the artistic backdrop for this story ballet, which magically brings Degas' famous statuette to life. Halperin's work has taken him to more than 80 countries spanning six continents, from some of the most remote corners of the globe to many of the world's major cities. For all ages. Performances are Saturday, December 14, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm and Sunday, December 15, at 1:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $14-18. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

2014

January 11-12

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
COCAdance and the Hip-Hop Crew
This collaborative, 75-minute dance concert features the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, plus choreography they set on COCAdance and the Hip-Hop Crew - providing the dynamic energy audiences have come to love about these companies! Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble uplifts and excites audiences through an explosive body of works inspired by the African-American experience and rooted in Black dance traditions. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Performances are Saturday, January 11, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm and Sunday, January 12, at 1:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $14-18. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

January 25-26

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Swallows and Amazons - COCA Theatre Company
COCA Theatre Company (CTC) presents Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons, adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson, with songs by Neil Hannon. A musical adventure for the whole family, Swallows and Amazons recalls an idyllic era of endless summer evenings, as a group of imaginative children sets sail on an exotic adventure to encounter savages, capture dastardly pirates and defeat mortal enemies - all before their summer vacation ends. This CTC production is directed by Shanara Gabrielle and Alec Wild, with music direction by Joe Schoen. The cast includes teen members of CTC as well as adult St. Louis actors. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Performances are Saturday, January 25, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm and Sunday, January 26, at 1:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $10-14. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

February 8

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Samba - Afriky Lolo
Like children of every generation, Samba is a young African boy who struggles to respect his ancestral history, but soon learns how important the past can be to the future. Samba's story is brought to life by the extraordinary Diadie Bathily and his troupe of talented dancers, Afriky Lolo. This unique theatre experience draws on traditional West African themes and physical storytelling and incorporates lively dance and drumming, puppets, ornate headdresses and masks. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Performances are Saturday, February 8, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm, at 1:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $14-18. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

February 22

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Nearly Lear - Susanna Hamnett
Welcome to a King Lear that is profoundly accessible and really funny, all the while serving the spirit, language and emotional core of the play. Nearly Lear is a roller-coaster ride that has entranced both lovers of Shakespeare as well as newcomers to the Bard. Actress Susanna Hamnett braves the most savage storm in English literature with breathtaking hilarity and heartache, honoring the beautiful language of Lear while taking a bit of poetic license. Recommended for teens and adults. The performance is Saturday, February 22, at 7:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $16-20. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

February 28

COCA Gallery Exhibition: Habitat - Carol Fleming Marks
St. Louis sculptor Carol Fleming Marks specializes in designing site-specific and one-of-a-kind artwork in clay. Each piece articulates its environment through the evolution of familiar forms, colors, and functions. Marks constantly explores sources of personal inspiration; her work, both monumental and minuscule, embodies a refined aesthetic. This indoor/outdoor exhibition in the Millstone Gallery and a new adjacent sculpture garden will celebrate COCA's new courtyard space. Opening reception is Friday, February 28, from 6:00-8:00pm in the Millstone Gallery at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Free and open to the public through Sunday, April 27. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information.

February 28

Continuing the Legacy
Written and directed by COCA alumnus Christopher Page, Continuing the Legacy uses dance as a vehicle to take audience members through black history - from slavery to the jazz era, through the civil rights movement, to modern times. Large photographs are projected behind the dancers, creating a vivid accompaniment to the modern dance choreography and helping audience members see, hear and feel the journey of African Americans in America. Performers include members of COCAdance. Continuing the Legacy includes imagery that may be disturbing to young children. Recommended for students in grades 4+ and their parents. The performance is Friday, February 28, at 7:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $6-$10. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information.

March 22-23

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Snail and the Whale - Tall Stories
A tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale. But when the whale gets beached, how will the snail save him? Follow the tiny snail's amazing journey, as seen through the eyes of an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father. Based on the beloved children's book and performed by Tall Stories, in collaboration with Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Recommended for ages 3 to 10. Performances are Saturday, March 22, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm and Sunday, March 23, at 1:00pm and 4:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $16- 20. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

April 4-6

COCA Theatre Company: Tales
COCA Theatre Company (CTC) presents Tales, an original devised play told through physical theatre and circus. Tales is directed by Josh Routh. 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information.

May 3-4

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Love - Terrapin Puppet Theatre
With a big storm brewing, Oslo's mum says he can only take a few things, or "love luggage," to safety. So, Oslo sets out to help his neighbors find their "love luggage," too! This heartfelt and entertaining story is brought to life by Australia's Terrapin Puppet Theatre with traditional and digital puppets, live action and stunning music. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Performances are Saturday, May 3, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm and Sunday, May 4, at 1:00pm and 4:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $16-20. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

June 7 and 14

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Trick Boxing - Sossy Mechanics
This smash-hit physical comedy is told through rapid-fire dialogue, high-energy dance numbers, ridiculous puppetry, true love and...boxing! Caught between a rock and a hard place, Danny becomes a boxer to pay a debt and, while training for his matches, meets a dancer who teaches him some
moves of her own. Brian Sostek and Megan McClellan make up the critically-acclaimed duo known as Sossy Mechanics. Recommended for teens and adults. Performances are Saturday, June 7, at 7:00pm and Saturday, June 14, at 7:00pm at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $14-18. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors. Performances are Friday, April 4, at 7:00pm; Saturday, April 5, at 2:00pm and 5:00pm; Sunday, April 6, at 1:00pm, at COCA. Tickets are $9.

July 25-26

COCA Presents 2013-2014: Ragtime - COCA Summer Musical
COCA Theatre Company (CTC) presents Ragtime, with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow. The COCA Summer Musical marks its 10th anniversary with this powerful portrait of life in turn-of-the-century America. Ragtime draws upon the era's rich and varied music to tell the story of three extraordinary families struggling to make sense of life in America. In honor of the anniversary, the cast includes students chosen by area-wide audition as well as CTC alumni from the last 10 years of COCA Summer Musicals. This CTC production is directed by Grace Austin, with musical direction by Phil Woodmore and choreography by Lee Nolting and Chris Page. Recommended for teens and adults. Ragtime is supported in part by Mary Strauss and the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation. Performances are Friday, July 25, at 7:00pm and Saturday, July 26, at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, at Edison Theatre at Washington University, 6445 Forsyth Boulevard, St. Louis, MO. Tickets are $18. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information. COCA Presents 2013-2014 is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors.

Ragtime is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212.541.4684 Fax: 212.397.4684 www.MTIShows.com.

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