History
The origin of the 4x4 format and the 4x4 TJ Night Choreography Contest
The 4x4 (Sushi to Go) concept emerged in 2005 at the Blue Foot bar and was produced for several years by SUSHI Performing and Visual Art Center.
It functioned as an exhibition platform for works from diverse disciplines, conceived specifically for a stage measuring 1.22 x 1.22 meters (4 x 4 feet) and 30 cm in height. This small-scale stage hosted proposals in dance, theater, open mic, music, and performance. Curatorship and hosting were originally led by Liam Clancy, and presentations took place on the first Tuesday of each month between 2005 and 2009.
This performance format responded to an urgent need for visibility among regional artists. SUSHI’s former headquarters—an art forum and gallery located in the Carnation building within San Diego’s former industrial district—was closed for several years due to large-scale redevelopment and the construction of Petco Park. In response, SUSHI launched a strategy known as “SUSHI TO GO,” aimed at activating alternative spaces throughout the city by presenting performances, exhibitions, and artistic interventions in libraries, bars, museums, galleries, and churches. One of these venues was the Blue Foot bar, with its 4x4-foot stage.
Members of Lux Boreal attended one of these events as audience members in 2006 and were deeply captivated by the concept. Inspired by this experience, they created a work to submit for the following month’s curatorial selection, resulting in the choreographic piece La última y nos vamos (The Last One and We’re Gone).
The process of creating and presenting this work proved enriching, refreshing, and playful. That same year, Lux Boreal proposed to SUSHI the creation of a call for artists south of the border, with the aim of dedicating a night to Tijuana-based creators. The proposal was enthusiastically received, giving rise to 4x4 Tijuana Night, which soon became known as 4x4 TJ Night.
4x4 TJ Night was presented for the first time on December 9, 2008, at the Blue Foot Bar and Lounge, featuring the band La Ballena de Jonás, Compañía Teatral del Sótano, and the dance collectives Beta Lab, Catalejo, and Péndulo Cero. The evening was produced by Lux Boreal, in co-production with SUSHI Performing and Visual Arts and Bound Dance Project.
The idea soon crossed the border into the city of Tijuana, where it succeeded in engaging a growing number of artists and presenting performances in gallery spaces such as Distrito 10. The stage format revealed numerous advantages, particularly its portability and the high level of experimentation it encouraged. Over time, however, production became increasingly challenging due to funding limitations.
In 2012, the Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT), through its Extramuros program, decided to support a co-production project that led to the launch of the 4x4 TJ Night Choreography Competition. This collaboration between Lux Boreal and CECUT transformed the format into a vibrant celebration of embodied movement, while also establishing it as a complementary and preparatory platform for the Tijuana International Dance Showcase: Cuerpos en Tránsito. In doing so, it has fostered regional creators and expanded access to contemporary dance for new audiences.
Over the years, the format has become a tradition in Tijuana and in other cities across Mexico—
a point of convergence for art, innovation, research, healthy competition, and communal exchange.
TJ Night 4x4 Choreography Contest Awards Record
2025 XIII Edition
Best Choreography: "Tránsito Onírico" (Mexico City)
Choreographed by: Erandi Madrigal, Fernanda Salas, and Ricardo David Aguilar
Performers: Erandi Madrigal, Fernanda Salas, and Ricardo David Aguilar
Dramaturgical Consultant: Francisco Carrera Carreón
Original Music: Francisco Carrera Carreón
Tanz4Improve
Honorable Mention: "Tiro de Gracia" (Coatzacoalcos-Iztapalapa)
Choreographed by: Omar Michel Ortega and Alan Christian Carrillo
Performers: Omar Michel Ortega and Alan Christian Carrillo
Best Performer: Fernanda Salas (Mexico City)
For her participation in "Tránsito Onírico" (Mexico City)
Choreographed by: Erandi Madrigal, Fernanda Salas, and Ricardo David Aguilar
Performers: Erandi Madrigal, Fernanda Salas, and Ricardo David Aguilar
Dramaturgical Consultant: Francisco Carrera Carreón
Original Music: Francisco Carrera Carreón
Tanz4Improve
Audience Award: "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (TIJUANA)
Choreographed by: Gregorio Coral
Performers: Diane Campaña, Sandra Luz Rodríguez, Frida Kim, and Stefanie Carreño
Music: Von Magnet
Subterráneo Contemporary Dance
2025 Jury: Mariana Arteaga, Luis Galaviz Castro, and Sebastián García Ferro
2024 XII Edition
Best Choreography: "The Sleeplessness" (PUERTO VALLARTA)
Choreographed by: Sol María Uribe and Masciel Ferat
Performers: Masciel Ferat and Sol María Uribe
Honorable Mention: "Requiem for a Nobody" (COATZACOALCOS-IZTAPALAPA)
Choreographed by: Omar Michel Ortega Pérez and Alan Christian Carrillo Mondragón
Performers: Omar Michel Ortega and Alan Christian Carrillo
Best Performer: Omar Michel Ortega Pérez
For his participation in “Requiem for a Nobody” (COATZACOALCOS – IZTAPALAPA)
Choreographed by: Omar Michel Ortega Pérez and Alan Christian Carrillo Mondragón
Audience Award: "Treatise on Prolongation" (TIJUANA)
Choreographed by: Paulina Ibarra, Iván Solorio, and Pita Zapot
Performers: Pita Zapot, Paulina Rosella Ibarra, and Iván Solorio
Ingravita Performing Arts
2024 Jury: Vivian Cruz, César Brodermann, Carlos A. González
2023 XI Edition
Best Choreography: “Vortex” (HERMOSILLO)
Choreographed by: Zuleima Burruel
Performers: Teresa Vega and Oscar Cruz
Musical Composition: René Mayoral
Members of the Dédalo Performing Arts Company of Hermosillo, Sonora
Honorable Mention: “Pandora” (Mexico City)
Choreographed by: Mariana Ramón González
Performers: Emmanuel Martínez, Johan del Castillo, Aura Vargas, Alejandra Paulsen, and María del Mar Arzate.
Rehearsal Director: Felipe Flores
Kaana Dance Company.
Best Performer: Daniel Martínez (Monterrey, Tijuana)
For his participation in “Melittología”
Choreographic Direction: Fernando Gallaga and Daniel Martínez
Costume Design: Daniel Martínez and Fernando Gallaga
Costume Assistant: Claudia Violante
Audience Award: “Awkward Latino” (Aguascalientes)
Choreographed by: Montserrat Velasco
Performers: Cinthya Dueñas and Montserrat Velasco
2023 Jury: Sadie Weinberg, Gilberto Corrales, and Pepe Rojo
2022 X Edition
Best Choreography: "Dados" (XALAPA)
Choreographed by: 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"
Choreographed by: Guillermo Magallón Armenta - Paquidermo Danza
Performers: Guillermo Magallón and María Alejandra Corona
Audience Award: "Dice" (XALAPA)
Choreographed by: 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)
Choreographed and performed: 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 (COVID special edition)
Best Choreography: "And then???" (OAXACA)
Choreographed and performed: Ángeles Fernández and Diana Gómez
Best Performer: Tlathui Maza (CDMX)
Choreography: "Exis"
Choreographed by:Tlathui Maza
Performers: Tlathui Maza and Eric Emmanuel Soto
Audience Award: "SinSentido" (CDMX)
Choreographed by: Tomás Sebastián
Creative performers: Tomás Sebastián Gómez Pereyra, Yumana Tannous, Emmanuelle Sanders - Visión Danza Contemporánea
Honorific mention:"Without sense" (CDMX)
Choreographed by:Thomas Sebastian
Creative performers:Tomás Sebastián Gómez Pereyra, Yumana Tannous, Emmanuelle Sanders - Contemporary Dance Vision
Jury 2020.21: Miroslava Wilson, Jo Alter and Kariam Valenzuela
2019 Edition VIII
Best Choreography: "Ozaru" (Culiacán)
Choreographed and performed by: Jorge Luis Salazar, Mario Cázares and Azarel Meza
Zona Zero
Best Performer: Daniela Zavaleta (Queréraro)
Choreography: "Closet"
Choreographed by: Daniela Zavaleta
Performers: Sara Ramírez and Gabriela Zavaleta
Ruta45
Audience Award: "CoinCidiere Squad" (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Pita Zapot
Performers: Miroslava Wilson, Carlos González, Salvador Corona, Paulina Ibarra, Iliana Jiménez, Annel Ramírez
Péndulo Cero
Honorable Mention: "Closet" (Querétaro)
Choreographed by: Daniela Zavaleta
Performers: Sara Ramírez and Gabriela Zavaleta
Ruta45
Jury 2019: Justin Morrison, Mara Gutiérrez and Erika Méndez
2018 Edition VII
Best Choreography: “ECO´S Volar Diez mil” (CDMX)
Choreographed and performed by: Patricia Rivera and Zurisadai Gonzales
Original Music: Francisco Carrera Carreón
Best Performer: Patricia Rivera (CDMX)
Choreography: “ECO´S Volar Diez Mil”
Choreographed and performed by: Patricia Rivera and Zurisadai Gonzales
Original Music: Francisco Carrera Carreón
Audience Award: “Ultralight Beam” (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Gustavo Vazquez
Performers: Sebastián Valdez, Gustavo Vázquez and Maura Soriano
Honorable Mention: “Ultralight Beam” (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Gustavo Vazquez
Performers: Sebastián Valdez, Gustavo Vázquez and Maura Soriano
Jury 2018: Terry Wilson, Esmeralda Ceballos and Carlos González
2017 Edition VI
Best Choreography: "Study on Coldness / Haiku 4 Winter" (Morelia)
Choreographed by: Isabel Nares
Performers: Paola Trujillo and Fernando Bermudez
Best Performer: Andrew Holmes (San Diego)
Choreography: “Dance My Mother Taught me Vol. 2”
Choreographed by: Angel Acuna
Performers: Ángel Acuña and Andrew Holmes
Audience Award: “Lost In Translation” (Riverside)
Choreographed and performed by: Rosa Rodríguez-Frazier and Joey Navarrete
Honorable Mention: "Lost In Translation" (Riverside)
Choreographed and performed by: Rosa Rodríguez-Frazier and Joey Navarrete
Jury 2017: Gisela Madrigal, Ramón Verdugo and Gregorio Coral
2016 Edition V
Best Choreography: “Recipientes” (CDMX-Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Sebastian Santamaria
Performers: Gizeh Muñiz and Sebastián Santamaria
Best Performer: Cinthia Pérez Navarro (Puebla)
Choreography: “Until the End of Life, Love and Lust”
Choreographed by: Cristina Goletti
Performers: Sebastián Santamaria and Cinthia Pérez Navarro
Audience Award: "Will we be heroes?" (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Salvador Corona
Performers: Carlos A. González, Iliana Edith Jiménez, Rubén Valencia
Honorable Mention: “El Gif” (CDMX)
Choreographed and performed by: Romina Soriano and Luciana Matilda
Jury 2016: Minerva Tapia, Jessica Humphrey and Hugo Salcedo
2015 Edition IV
Best Choreography: “Mentes” (Mexicali)
Choreographed by: Zarina Mendoza – Tranze Productions
Performers: Mariel Rivas, Zarina Mendoza, Raymundo Martínez and Ramsés Carranco
Tranze Productions
Best Performer: Jaime Nixon (San Diego)
Choreography: “Do You Love Me More?”
Choreographed by: James Nixon
Performers: Jaime Nixon and Angelica Lee Bell
Audience Award: "Mentes" (Mexicali)
Choreographed by: Zarina Mendoza
Performers: Mariel Rivas, Zarina Mendoza, Raymundo Martínez and Ramsés Carranco
Tranze Productions
Honorable Mention: “Sufi” (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Daniel Delgadillo
Performers: Daniel Delgadillo, Sthephanie Carreño and Iván Juárez Bram
Jury 2015: Leslie Seiters, Jorge Folgeira and Gregorio Coral
2014 Editon III
Best Choreography: “Hollki” (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Maribel Durazo
Performers: Dania Barragán, Mariana Paredes and Melissa Sánchez
La Silla Danza
Best Performer: Gabriela Aguilar (Guadalajara)
Choreography: “Mitote en el Espejo”
Choreographed by: Gabriela Aguilar
Performers: Gabriela Aguilar and Gabriela Cuevas
Audience Award: "Dissonant Worlds" (Tijuana)
Choreographed and performed by: Stefanie Carreño and Iván Bram
Jury 2014: Jorge Domínguez, Liam Clancy and Jaime Ruiz Otis
2013 Edition II
Best Choreography: “Jouer” (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Daniel Delgadillo
Performers: Daniel Delgadillo, Dania Barragán, Stephany Carreño
Best Performer: Alejandra Lugo (CDMX)
Choreography: “Montuno para un amor miope”
Choreographed by: Victor Siañez Vaca
Performers: Alejandra Lugo and Leonardo Villa
Audience Award: “Con-Tensión” (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Erik Utrilla and Marena de la Parra - Mina Company
Performers: Erik Maldonado Utrilla, Evelyn Marín Marrufo, Enrique Soto Rodríguez, Areli Arechiga De Sales, Eric Linares Benítez and Marena De La Parra
Compañía de danza Miná
Jury 2013: Minerva Tapia, Mario Cantú and Hernán del Riego
2012 Edition I
Best Choreography: “Lo demás es agua” (Tijuana)
Choreographed and performed by: Hoze Meléndez and Noemí Sánchez
Audience Award: "Las Verguenzas de Lulú" (Tijuana)
Choreographed by: Maribel Durazo
Performers: Melissa Sánchez, David Fierro and Maribel Durazo
La Silla Danza
Jury 2012: Héctor Hernández, Azzul Monraz and Pepe Rojo. Special Guest: Allyson Green
