Saint Joseph College Presents the 9th Annual 5 x 5 Dance Festival

One of Connecticut’s most important dance events, the annual 5 x 5 Dance Festival, presented with grant support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, brings together professional and collegiate ensembles from across the state. After the performances, ticket-holders may participate in audience talkbacks with the dancers and choreographers. Shows will be held Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Bruyette Athenaeum’s Hoffman Auditorium on Saint Joseph College’s West Hartford campus. General Seating. Advanced tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $10 for students in grades K-12. After October 17, ticket prices are $35 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and $15 for students in grades K-12. For ticket information, please call the Francis Driscoll Box Office at 860.231.5555 or place orders online at www.sjc.edu/arts.

This year’s 5x5 will feature performances by many of Connecticut’s pre-eminent dance groups, including Dance Connect, dancEnlight, Exit 12 Dance Company, Elm City Dance Collective and Cristin Cawley. Ensembles from Connecticut College, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Naugatuck Valley Community College, and Saint Joseph College will perform as well.  

The CORDIS acoustical ensemble will provide musical entertainment - a new addition to this year’s Festival. The contemporary quartet is best known for transforming contemporary chamber music through the use of unique instruments. In addition to employing cello, concert cimbalom, piano and percussion, CORDIS incorporates the electric mbira, melodica, and world’s longest playing cylinder-driven music box into its dynamic shows. According to Time Out New York, “CORDIS makes a strong case for both sides of its musical personality – expanding the boundaries of chamber music.” CORDIS’ appearance is funded in part by a grant from the New England States Touring Programof the New England Foundation of the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies.

In conjunction with the performances, master teachers from the five professional presenting companies will host Master Classes for dance students and community members. Classes will be held on Saturday, October 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The price for each class is $15. For more information, please contact Susan Murphy at smurphy@sjc.edu or Dr. Robert Smith at rsmith@sjc.edu.