USJ To Host 25th Annual 5x5 Dance Festival In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The University of Saint Joseph will celebrate Connecticut's dance history while showcasing contemporary performances during its 25th annual 5x5 Dance Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7.

The festival will begin at 7 p.m. at the university's campus at 1678 Asylum Ave. in West Hartford, bringing together professional and collegiate dancers, choreographers, educators, and dance enthusiasts.

This year's theme, "History in Motion: Historical Narratives Through Contemporary Dance," will highlight the history of dance in Connecticut and its continuing influence on contemporary performances.

Established in 2003, the 5x5 Dance Festival provides a platform for choreographers to present contemporary dance works.

The festival takes its name from its traditional format, which brings together five professional and five collegiate dance ensembles to share their work with audiences.

Over the years, the festival has become a fixture in Greater Hartford's dance community, offering opportunities for established and emerging performers to collaborate.

In addition to public performances, the festival has featured master classes, workshops, panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions.

Its mentoring program pairs experienced professional choreographers with collegiate dance ensembles to help develop emerging performers.

Connecticut Dance History Exhibit

This year's festival will also recognize the work of the Connecticut Dance Alliance through an interactive exhibition titled "Connecticut Dances — A Visual History."

The exhibition features six freestanding panels containing more than 200 curated images and written descriptions documenting Connecticut's dance history.

A portion of the proceeds from each festival ticket will support the Connecticut Dance Alliance, which promotes and supports dance throughout the state.

The festival has welcomed numerous professional dance companies over the years, including Pilobolus, ATTACK Dance Company, dancEnlight, Full Force Dance Theatre, Adele Meyers Dance Company, Sonia Plumb Dance Company, Garet&Co, Immmix Dance Project, Ballet Hartford, Dimensional Dance and Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet.

Participating colleges and universities have included the University of Saint Joseph, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Trinity College, The Hartt School Dance Division, Connecticut College, Naugatuck Valley Community College and the University of New Haven.

Jacques d'Amboise, founder and director of the National Dance Institute, previously praised the festival's contributions to the arts community.

"The 5 X 5 Dance Festival graces the University of Saint Joseph, the community, and Connecticut!" d'Amboise said.

Event Details

• What: 25th Annual 5x5 Dance Festival
• When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at 7 p.m.
• Where: University of Saint Joseph, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford
• Theme: "History in Motion: Historical Narratives Through Contemporary Dance"
• Special exhibition: "Connecticut Dances — A Visual History"
• Tickets: Available through the university's Hoffman Auditorium website
• Information: www.usj.edu/arts
• Contact: Artistic Director Susan Murphy at smurphy@usj.edu

A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Connecticut Dance Alliance. Additional information about the organization is available at ctdancealliance.org.