15th Annual 5X5 Dance Festival Set for University of Saint Joseph

The celebrated 5X5 Dance Festival brings together choreographers, performers, educators, and students to study and perform. Artists, students, and audiences share their experiences, talents, and inspirations through master classes, workshops, discussions, and performances.

The 15th Annual 5X5 Dance Festival performances and master classes will be held in the University of Saint Joseph's Bruyette Athenaeum in West Hartford, Conn., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, with showcase performances at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The 5X5 Dance Festival was named for its focus on five professional and five collegiate ensembles. Created in 2003 as a response to a need expressed by greater Hartford dancers for opportunities to perform more sustained works - as opposed to the brief marathon performances typical of dance festivals - the 5X5 Dance Festival provides performance opportunities for works from company repertoires, works in progress, or works prepared exclusively for this showcase. In its 15th year, the Festival continues to celebrate the many forms and types of dance, cultural and ethnic diversity in dance, dance that pushes traditional definitions and approaches, and dance that is inclusive in opportunities for artists and audiences.

This year's 5X5 Dance Festival will feature the talents of:

4 p.m. Showcase: University of Saint Joseph, Eastern Connecticut State University, Tessa Grunwald, Naugatuck Valley Community College, The Dance Collective

7:30 p.m. Showcase: ATTAK Dance Company, Central Connecticut State University, Vivid Ballet, Lindsay Hany, Dimensional Dance, Jane Krantz

Site-Specific: Sonia Plumb Dance Company, Civic Ballet, Haley Zdebski

"The 5x5 Dance Festival has become a tradition for Connecticut contemporary dance, inspiring the next generation of dancers with Connecticut's abundantly gifted dance artists," said 5x5 Founder and Artistic Director Susan Murphy.

Long-time participant Lorelei Chang, artistic director for dancEnlight Dance Company, said, "5x5 Dance Festival provides a wonderful opportunity for local choreographers, dancers, and community to showcase their work and share their experiences and passion for dance. dancEnlight has had the privilege to participate in such a wonderful program since 2010, and it's been truly rewarding for our dancers and myself. Most importantly, the festival brings us all together - professional companies and college students sharing experience and the stage together."

This year's festival has multiple performance opportunities including two site-specific dance pieces open to anyone in the community and two dance showcases that require the purchase of tickets. The 5X5 Dance Festival weekend also includes master classes, free forums, and a mentoring program in which professional companies guide collegiate ensembles.

In addition to the master classes held at the University of Saint Joseph this year, other master classes will be held prior to the event in the community to foster connections between dance companies. Also new this year is the 5X5 Dance Festival's first dance film series, which will include a panel discussion with the films' creators. Exhibits prepared by participating companies and professional dance photography exhibitions are also featured.

Tickets are FREE for USJ Students with ID | $20 for Adults | $15 for Seniors, Let's Go Arts Members and USJ Alumni| $10 for Non-USJ Students with valid ID and can be purchased at the Frances Driscoll Box Office: 860.231.5555 or online at tickets.usj.edu

Schedule for 2017 5x5 Dance Festival:

9-10 a.m. Registration and Welcome

10-11:15 a.m. Master Class I

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Master Class II

1-2 p.m. Dance Film Series (AV Room) - FREE

2:30-3 p.m. Site-Specific Performance #1 - Araby (outdoors, weather permitting) - FREE

3:15-3:45 p.m. Connecticut Nutcracker's Presentation (Reception Room) - FREE

4-5:15 p.m. Showcase Performance

5:30 p.m. Site-Specific Performance #2 (Art Museum)

6:30 p.m. Site-Specific Performance #3 (Art Museum) - FREE

7:30 p.m. Showcase Performance

Get a taste of the event with the video!

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) offers a wide range of coeducational undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that combine a professional and liberal arts education with a focus on service. Undergraduate programs for both traditional and adult students take place on our beautiful suburban campus and include more than 26 majors and seven pre-professional programs, taught by expert faculty in an engaging environment. Graduate master's and doctoral degree programs are taught on the University's two campuses in West Hartford and Hartford, Connecticut; at off-campus locations throughout the state; and online. Founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Mercy, the University of Saint Joseph welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and religious traditions. To learn more, view our website at www.usj.edu.