History
The origin of the 4x4 format and the 4x4 TJ Night Choreography Contest
The 4x4 concept emerged in 2005, in a bar called Blue Foot, and was produced for several years by SUSHI Performing and Visual Art Center.
It was a space to present works from various disciplines specially designed for a 1.22 by 1.22 meter platform. (4 x 4 feet) and 30 cm high. The small stage was occupied with works of dance, theater,open mic, music and almost any performative act. The night was generally curated and hosted by Liam Clancy and was held on the first Tuesday of every month between 2005 and 2009.
This format was the result of a need for artists from the region to exhibit, given that the former headquarters of SUSHI, a forum-gallery that was located in the buildingCarnationof the old industrial center of San Diego, was closed for several years for redevelopment of the entire district and the construction of Petco Park. This need to keep the promotion of SUSHI events current prompted the term "SUSHI TO GO" where alternative spaces throughout the city of San Diego were temporarily occupied for the performance of functions, exhibitions and the events of their agenda in libraries, bars , museums, galleries, etc. One of these spaces was the Blue Foot bar with its 4x4 foot platform.
The members of Lux Boreal attended one night in 2006 and we fell in love with the concept, so we dedicated ourselves to creating a work that we would submit for curatorship in the following month, that's how "La última y nos Vamos" emerged for the first time.
The experience of creating and presenting "La Última y Nos Vamos" was very enriching, refreshing and fun, which is why immediately that same year we proposed to SUSHI that they allow us to organize and curate a night of purely Tijuana artists, the proposal it was pleasantly accepted and that's how it came about 4x4 Tijuana Night, soon becoming4x4 T.J. Night.
4x4 TJ Night was presented for the first time on December 9, 2008 at the Blue Foot Bar and Lounge with the presence of the BandJonah's Whale,Basement Theater Companyand dance groupsBeta Lab,SpyglassYzero pendulum, a night produced by Lux Boreal in co-production with Sushi Performance and Visual Arts and the Bound Dance Project.
The idea and concept crossed the border and found fertile ground in the city of Tijuana where it was possible to convene more artists and perform shows in galleries such as the case of District 10, the format had many benefits given the portability and interestingness of the proposals. . However, it was increasingly difficult to produce it due to financing issues.
It was in 2012 when the Tijuana Culture Center, through its extramural program, decided to promote a co-production project to launch theChoreography Contest 4x4 T.J. Night. This collaboration between Lux Boreal and CECUT have transformed this space into a great party to meet the language of the body in movement, preparing the ground for the traditional Tijuana International Dance Show Bodies in Transit, at the time to detonate the dance movement in the region and create new audiences for this art. The format has become a tradition in Tijuana and other cities in Mexico.
A point where art, innovation, research, healthy competition and coexistence converge.
TJ Night 4x4 Choreography Contest Award Record
2022 X Edition
Best Choreography: "Dados" (XALAPA)
Choreography: Luis Vallejo (Termy)
Collaboration: Chronic Arte Ludico, On-Danza Radio, Toy Collective
Performers: José Luis Gonzáles Vallejo (Termy), Braulio Escamilla and Jorge Francisco Cordoba (Jorgito Córdoba)
Scenic-technical support: Esther Landa, Visuals: Eduardo Carrera
Best Performer: María Alejandra Corona Pérez (CDMX)
Choreography: "Satori"
Direction: Guillermo Magallón Armenta - Paquidermo Danza
Performers: Guillermo Magallón and María Alejandra Corona
Audience Award: "Dice" (XALAPA)
Choreography: Luis Vallejo (Termy)
Collaboration: Chronic Arte Ludico, On-Danza Radio, Toy Collective
Performers: José Luis Gonzáles Vallejo (Termy), Braulio Escamilla and Jorge Francisco Cordoba (Jorgito Córdoba)
Scenic-technical support: Esther Landa, Visuals: Eduardo Carrera
Honorable Mention: "Jaras" (XALAPA)
Direction and interpretation: Marilyn Delfín, Paloma Pintle, Maritrini García and Karla Cabrera
Jacaranda Collective
Original music: Uriel Alejandro Ramírez Flores
Jury 2022: Michelle Guerra, Gregorio Coral and Marlene Solis
2020.21 (pandemic special edition)
Best Choreography: "And then???" (OAXACA)
Direction and Interpretation: Ángeles Fernández and Diana Gómez
Best Performer: Tlathui Maza (CDMX)
Choreography: "Exis"
Address: Tlathui Maza
Performers: Tlathui Maza and Eric Emmanuel Soto
Audience Award: "SinSentido" (CDMX)
Directed by: Tomás Sebastián
Creative performers: Tomás Sebastián Gómez Pereyra, Yumana Tannous, Emmanuelle Sanders - Visión Danza Contemporánea
Honorific mention:"Without sense" (CDMX)
Address:Thomas Sebastian
creator performers:Tomás Sebastián Gómez Pereyra, Yumana Tannous, Emmanuelle Sanders - Contemporary Dance Vision
Jury 2020.21: Miroslava Wilson, Jo Alter and Kariam Valenzuela
2019
Best Choreography: "Ozaru" (Culiacán)
Direction and Performers: Jorge Luis Salazar, Mario Cázares and Azarel Meza - Ground Zero
Best Performer: Daniela Zavaleta (Queréraro)
Choreography: "Closet"
Address: Daniela Zavaleta - Ruta45
Performers: Sara Ramírez and Gabriela Zavaleta
Audience Award: "CoinCidiere Squad" (Tijuana)
Address: Pita Zapot
Performers: Miroslava Wilson, Carlos González, Salvador Corona, Paulina Ibarra, Iliana Jiménez, Annel Ramírez - Péndulo Cero
Honorable Mention: "Closet" (Querétaro)
Address: Daniela Zavaleta - Ruta45
Performers: Sara Ramírez and Gabriela Zavaleta
Jury 2019: Justin Morrison, Mara Gutiérrez and Erika Méndez
2018
Best Choreography: “ECO´S Volar Diez mil” (CDMX)
Direction and Performers: Patricia Rivera and Zurisadai Gonzales
Best Performer: Patricia Rivera (CDMX)
Choreography: “ECO´S Volar Diez Mil”
Direction and Performers: Patricia Rivera and Zurisadai Gonzales
Audience Award: “Ultralight Beam” (Tijuana)
Direction: Gustavo Vazquez
Performers: Sebastián Valdez, Gustavo Vázquez and Maura Soriano
Honorable Mention: “Ultralight Beam” (Tijuana)
Direction: Gustavo VazquezPerformers: Sebastián Valdez, Gustavo Vázquez and Maura Soriano
Jury 2018: Terry Wilson, Esmeralda Ceballos and Carlos González
2017
Best Choreography: "Study on Coldness / Haiku 4 Winter" (Morelia)
Directed by: Isabel Nares
Performers: Paola Trujillo and Fernando Bermudez
Best Actor: Andrew Holmes (San Diego)
Choreography: “Dance My Mother Taught me Vol. 2”
Directed by: Angel Acuna
Performers: Ángel Acuña and Andrew Holmes
Audience Award: “Lost In Translation” (Riverside)
Direction and Performers: Rosa Rodríguez-Frazier and Joey Navarrete
Honorable Mention: "Lost In Translation" (Riverside)
Direction and Performers: Rosa Rodríguez-Frazier and Joey Navarrete
Jury 2017: Gisela Madrigal, Ramón Verdugo and Gregorio Coral
2016
Best Choreography: “Recipientes” (CDMX-Tijuana)
Direction: Sebastian Santamaria
Performers: Gizeh Muñiz and Sebastián Santamaria
Best Performer: Cinthia Pérez Navarro (Puebla)
Choreography: “Until the End of Life, Love and Lust”
Direction: Cristina Goletti
Performers: Sebastián Santamaria and Cinthia Pérez Navarro
Audience Award: "Will we be heroes?" (Tijuana)
Direction: Salvador Corona
Performers: Carlos A. González, Iliana Edith Jiménez, Rubén Valencia
Honorable Mention: “El Gif” (CDMX)
Direction and Performers: Romina Soriano and Luciana Matilda
Jury 2016: Minerva Tapia, Jessica Humphrey and Hugo Salcedo
2015
Best Choreography: “Minds” (Mexicali)
Direction: Zarina Mendoza – Tranze Productions
Performers: Mariel Rivas, Zarina Mendoza, Raymundo Martínez and Ramsés Carranco
Best Performer: Jaime Nixon (San Diego)
Choreography: “Do You Love Me More?”
Directed by: James Nixon
Performers: Jaime Nixon and Angelica Lee Bell
Audience Award: "Minds" (Mexicali)
Direction: Zarina Mendoza – Tranze Productions
Performers: Mariel Rivas, Zarina Mendoza, Raymundo Martínez and Ramsés Carranco
Honorable Mention: “Sufi” (Tijuana)
Direction: Daniel Delgadillo
Performers: Daniel Delgadillo, Sthephanie Carreño and Iván Juárez Bram
Jury 2015: Leslie Seiters, Jorge Folgeira and Gregorio Coral
2014
Best Choreography: “Hollki” (Tijuana)
Direction: Maribel Durazo - The Dance Chair
Performers: Dania Barragán, Mariana Paredes and Melissa Sánchez
Best Performer: Gabriela Aguilar (Guadalajara)
Choreography: “Mitote in the Mirror”
Direction: Gabriela Aguilar
Performers: Gabriela Aguilar and Gabriela Cuevas
Audience Award: "Dissonant Worlds" (Tijuana)
Direction and Performers: Stefanie Carreño and Iván Bram
Jury 2014: Jorge Domínguez, Liam Clancy and Jaime Ruiz Otis
2013
Best Choreography: “Jouer” (Tijuana)
Direction: Daniel Delgadillo
Performers: Daniel Delgadillo, Dania Barragán, Stephany Carreño
Best Performer: Alejandra Lugo (CDMX)
Choreography: “Montuno for a Myopic love”
Direction: Victor Siañez Vaca
Performers: Alejandra Lugo and Leonardo Villa
Audience Award: “With tension” (Tijuana)
Direction: Erik Utrilla and Marena de la Parra - Mina Company
Interpreters: Erik Maldonado Utrilla, Evelyn Marín Marrufo, Enrique Soto Rodríguez, Areli Arechiga De Sales, Eric Linares Benítez and Marena De La Parra
Jury 2013: Minerva Tapia, Mario Cantú and Hernán del Riego
2012
Best Choreography: “What else is water” (Tijuana)
Choreography and Interpretation: Hoze Meléndez and Noemí Sánchez
Audience Award: "The shame of Lulú" (Tijuana)
Choreography: Maribel Durazo - La Silla Danza
Performers: Melissa Sánchez, David Fierro and Maribel Durazo
Jury 2012: Héctor Hernández, Azzul Monraz and Pepe Rojo. Special Guest: Allyson Green
