The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam proudly presents street dance performances, featuring three dance works created collaboratively by emerging directors and dancers from across Asia.

Following initial creative development in Manila and Hanoi in September and October in 2016, the three teams of dance artists will come to Hanoi to perform on 22nd and 23rd of April at Youth Theatre.

The Japan Foundation Asia Center starts a long-term ASEAN project named “Dance Dance Asia” from 2015 to support the exchange and collaboration of Asian regional dance companies / dancers that are based on street dance, including not only hip-hop but variety of genres such as jazz dance, contemporary dance, etc.

Now in its third year, DANCE DANCE ASIA presents three performances by a trio of choreographer-directors—Munetaka Maki (MIKEY from Tokyo Gegegay) (Japan), Vince Mendoza “Crazybeans” (Philippines), LION T (Vietnam)—bringing together dancers from a wide range of cultural backgrounds in a unique fusion of vibrant artistry, expert technique, and exciting music.

The event is a superb opportunity for audiences in Vietnam to experience the cutting edge of Japanese and Asian street dance that is wowing the world today.

Dance Dance Asia – Crossing the Movements –

Hanoi

Program

Performer’s Profiles

Team MIKEY

This team is led by Munetaka “MIKEY” Maki, the first street dance artist to win the prestigious Japan Dance Forum Award. MIKEY has assembled BLACK LIP BOYS, a wild and bewitching team of young male dancers especially formed for this performance. The luscious traps set in MIKEY’s unique world will lure you into a dance from which there is no escape. You’ll never think dance can be boring ever again!

Munetaka Maki MIKEY from Tokyo Gegegay (Japan)

 Performer, choreographer, director, musician, and leader of the dance group Tokyo Gegegay. He studied traditional Japanese dance and music from the age of three. At age 19, he beat 30,000 others to win top prize at a singing contest. He then formed Tokyo★Kids when he was 23. After “coming out,” he began to incorporate aspects of gay culture into his work and attract attention from the dance world. He won the Best Performer Award on the TV show Super Chample. In 2013, he formed Tokyo Gegegay. He wrote, directed, choreographed and composed Asterisk: Goddess of Light in 2015. The theme song was written by long-time collaborator Miliyah Kato and performed as a duet. In December 2015, he choreographed the dance performances for Masahiko Kawahara’s stage adaptation of Lychee☆Hikari Club and also wrote the theme song. In 2016, he directed, choreographed, composed and performed in Usagi Nakamura’s Asterisk: Goodbye, Snow White. For DANCE DANCE ASIA, he has performed as Tokyo Gegegay in the Philippines, Thailand, and Tokyo in 2015. That year he also became the first street dance artist to receive the Japan Dance Forum Award.

Team VINCE

Vince Mendoza has won titles at street dance contests all over the globe. Based partly on Mendoza’s life, Hilatas (The Light that Guides You) conjures up a vision of always looking forward in pursuit of your dreams, and never looking back even in the face of adversity. Witness history in the making with this masterpiece of a show that condenses a wide range of dance styles, from street to contemporary and acrobatics.

Vince Mendoza “Crazybeans” (Philippines)

Vince Mendoza is a dancer, choreographer, and a member of Philippine Allstars. He is the Philippine representative for the UK B-Boy Championship’s Popping division, and recently won the popping category at Budapest’s 2016 Get Down contest, and the all-style category at Vietnam’s Together Time. He also won first prize in SDK ASIA 2016 (Hong Kong) as a member of TEAM X. In 2010, 2012 and 2016, he competed the Juste Debout contest, held in Singapore and France, as one half of the dance unit Prince & Vince. His work includes music videos, commercials, and choreographs for Lacoste and Diesel. In 2015, he participated in DANCE DANCE ASIA in Tokyo as a member of Philippine Allstars.

Team LION T

It’s not about the money! As the leader of Big Toe Crew, Vietnam’s first hip-hop dance group, LION T has taken the dance world by storm. He has also produced stage shows in Europe and North America, though his diligence is not all for his own glory. In partnership with friends and family, his work is imbued with the sincere messages for building a better society that he wants to share with the world.

 LION T (Vietnam)

Dancer, choreographer.

LION T started dancing hip-hop in 1991 and joined the street dance group Big Toe Crew the following year. In 2010, he won Battle of the Year SEA & South Asia. The same year he came third in the global competition R16. He is currently the leader Big Toe Crew, which comprises some 80 dancers across various styles (pop, waack, house, hip-hop), and also strives to cultivate a new generation of talent from younger dancers aged 5 to 15. As a solo performer, he appears on TV shows and creates his own dance performances.

For inquiries and interviews with the artists, please contact at:

Ms. Huong (ext: 106) / Mr. Kawai (ext: 109)

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam       TEL 04 3944 7419    www.jpf.org.vn

www.facebook.com/japanfoundation.vietnam