Aug. 25, 2011

Webster University Co-Sponsors International Institute's Festival of Nations

Webster University is sponsoring Cobu, a female Japanese Dance Group and a major performer at the International Institute's Festival of Nations,' Aug. 27 and 28 in Tower Grove Park in St. Louis. For the past several years, Webster University has been a major sponsor of the free event that draws more than 100,000 people annually.

Cobu is performing both Saturday and Sunday. The female Japanese dance group, Cobu, means “perfect combustion.”  Based in New York City, Cobu was created as a live rhythm performing arts group in 2000. Yako Miyamoto, the founder of Cobu is a current member of the off Broadway-hit STOMP. Cobu combines elements of the Japanese traditional Taiko drumming with rhythmic Tap dancing. Cobu's motto is inspired by the combined sounds of New York and traditional Japanese culture. Their signature sound is created organically through acoustic instruments, rather than digital transcription. This juxtaposition of traditional modernity makes them one of the most unique and original mind-blowing groups of our time.

A video of a Cobu performance 

Information on the Festival of Nations

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses.  Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.

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