Antonio Douthit-Boyd was born with a God-given talent for dancing, but there wasn’t much enthusiasm for his gift in the North City neighborhood where he grew up. Luckily, he found the support he needed at Center of Creative Arts (COCA), which offered him a dance scholarship when he was 16. Today, he travels the world as a principal dancer with the acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, thrilling international audiences with his dazzling leaps. “COCA was always where I felt most at home,” he says. “Everyone there was my family. They taught me how to respect the gift I was entrusted with, and opened doors for me I never thought I would approach.”
Douthit-Boyd will have a chance to say thanks in person April 25 when he and partner Kirven Douthit-Boyd, also a member of the Ailey troupe, serve as honorary chairs of COCAcabana 2014. “They come to COCA every year to work with our students as teachers, mentors and role models,” says executive director Kelly Pollock. “We wanted to celebrate their commitment by inviting them to play a special role at COCAcabana. Plus, they’re a whole lot of fun on the dance floor!”
COCAcabana, COCA’s only fundraiser, is for a good cause—but it’s never stuffy or formal. “The night is always full of surprises,” Pollock says. “This year’s special guest, legendary former Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith, has a few dazzling moves of his own. And to underscore our theme, Spring Fling, we’re transforming our University City campus into a colorful paradise.” The theme also has a deeper meaning, she adds: “Nature flourishes during spring, and the arts flourish year-round at COCA. Whether kids come here with the desire to be professional performers or simply to explore an interest, we cultivate their seeds of talent, passion and potential until they blossom. The skills, discipline and confidence they gain here help them find success in whatever career path they choose.”
The event accounts for nearly 25 percent of COCA’s annual contributed revenue. “It’s crucial to continuing our community outreach,” Pollock says. This year’s chairs are Jennifer and Kevin Demoff, Linda and Jesse Hunter, Nancy Schnoebelen and Joseph F. Imbs III, and Ronald J. Kruszewski. Presenting sponsor for the fifth consecutive year is Anheuser-Busch; Town & Style is media sponsor.
“COCA’s goal is to make high-quality arts education accessible to St. Louisans of all ages, incomes and abilities,” Pollock says. Guided by expert instructors, thousands of individuals have explored dance, music, theater and the visual arts, she notes. “We serve 50,000 people from more than 200 Zip codes, annually providing more than $800,000 in arts programs at no cost to low-income schools and more than 400 scholarships for students.”
Students like Antonio Douthit-Boyd. “COCA was there for me when I was unsure which way to go,” he says. “I am so grateful to everyone there for giving me the opportunity to live out my dreams.”
By Tony Di Martino
Photo By Andrew Eccles
Pictured: Antonio Douthit-Boyd
COCAcabana 2014: Spring Fling, the arts organization’s signature fundraiser, takes place April 25 at COCA , 524 Trinity Ave. in University City. Guests are encouraged to wear bright colors and floral prints. For more information, contact Virginia Howell at vhowell@cocastl.org or 314.561.4870, or visit cocastl.org/cocacabana.
