(La Junta, CO) - The Koshare Indian Dancers have been invited to the 4th International Children's Music Festival in Yamagata, Japan (June 12 - 19, 2007). This festival will unite the Koshares with the Japanese dance troupe, Dance Space, who visited the Koshare Indian Museum and performed jointly with the Koshare Indian Dancers during the Japan-American Grassroots Summit in September 2006. Also joining the Koshares at the Children's Music Festival in Japan will be other youth groups from the United States (including the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale and Youth Orchestra), Russia and Germany.

"This is an exciting opportunity for our dancers to further their knowledge about other countries and cultures," said Program Director Jeremy Manyik. "The young people attending this festival are the future leaders of our respective countires, what better setting would there be for them to make international friends who appreciate each other's cultures." Manyik also pointed out that the Koshares will use this trip and all future journeys to help promote the Arkansas Valley to tourists from many different countries.

The Koshares are seeking assistance from foundations around the country to help fund the 2007 Japan trip as well as future international ventures. However, it will also be conducting some local fundraising to help defray costs. In only one month, the dancers have made over $1,000 for the trip. Local residents are invited to participate in any and all the fundraisers. For more information, please contact the Koshare Indian Museum 719.384.4411