“The Fairfield County Dance Festival”
Now in its fifth year the Ted Thomas Dance Foundation and East Coast Contemporary Ballet is proud to present a series of free dance performances entitled “The Fairfield County Dance Festival,” throughout Fairfield County to provide greater access to the dance arts and arts education throughout the community.
This series of performances is sponsored in part by the Connecticut Office of the Arts DECT,
New Canaan Community Foundation, Fairfield Museum and Historical Society, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Connecticut Office of Humanities, Museum of Contemporary Art of Westport, Darien Arts Center, Harmony Lodge #67, New Canaan Library, New England Dance Theater and New England Academy of Dance.
DATES OF PERFORMANCES
Ballard Park, Ridgefield, CT - - July 9, 2025, 6:30 PM
Fairfield Museum and History Center, Norwalk, CT - - July 11, 2025, 6:30 PM. (Rain Date July 12)
Mill River Park, Stamford, CT - - July 15, 2025, 6:30 PM
Merwin Meadows Park, Wilton, CT - - July 17, 2025, 6:30 PM (Rain Date July 18)
Weed Beach, Darien, CT -- July 22, 2025, 6:30 PM (Rain Date July 23)
Museum of Contemporary Arts, Westport, CT - - July 24, 2025, 6:30 PM
New Canaan Library, New Canaan, CT - - July 29, 2025, 6:30 PM (Rain Date July 30)
Continuing the initiative of community outreach which started during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Fairfield County Dance Festival, presented by the Ted Thomas Dance Foundation and East Coast Contemporary Ballet is a series of outdoor presentations that provide instant accessibility to the dance arts in Fairfield County communities.
The response during our 2021 summer engagements to our open-air events was enthusiastic and well attended. The ability for audience members to be social in an open-air environment and enjoying dance performances to music was welcomed during that uncertain time. This year we will be presenting in 6 towns and expect to have over 3000 audience members in attendance.
This year in our 2025 season we have invited campers ages 7-9 yrs. from The Horizons Community Schools Norwalk CT. This organization’s mission is to close opportunity gaps for all children and to ensure they graduate high school and are prepared for college and careers. To perform outdoors on stage is a comfortable environment ideal for this age group to participate uninhibited. The Companies, and dancers look forward to bringing this wonderful summer event to the several Fairfield communities.
The Mission of the Ted Thomas Dance Foundation and Thomas/Ortiz Dance is to perform the art of contemporary dance across the country. We aspire to bring dance to communities and individuals who do not have the means to see live dance performances throughout the Tri-State area, Southern Fairfield, and New Haven counties in Connecticut. The Thomas/Ortiz Dance Foundation presents the choreographic works of Ted Thomas and Frances Ortiz. To target our children in our audience, during the educational portions of the presentations, Mr. Thomas, and Ms. Ortiz, endeavor to inspire younger generations to participate in dance as an outlet for creative expression, developing poise, self-esteem, health, and physical agility, while through the arts. Thomas/Ortiz conducts a wide variety of community-based outreach programs and activities, including master classes, lecture demonstrations and workshops in schools, social service organizations, hospitals, mental health facilities and nursing homes.