PRESS RELEASE27.2.2015
Dance Dance Asia - Crossing the Movements -
The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam proudly presents Japanese dance performances which are based on street dance by three groups, “Moreno Funk Sixers”, “Memorable Moment” and “90’s” on 14th and 15th of March 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.
Since it was introduced in Japan in the 1970s, within just 40 years, street dance has become one of the most popular dance genres, and the number of dance studio and practitioners has increased significantly. Rhythm dance has now incorporated into the school education through the subject of "modern rhythm dance", and have become familiar subject to many young people.
In addition, since the beginning of the 2000s, dance companies based on street dance techniques are starting to make a full length piece inside the theatre, with unique direction and creation along with their dance skills, became popular movement and thought to be the rising new genre in the performing arts industry.
At the same time, street dance has been growing in popularity in other countries of Asia, and dancers are starting to build network within these countries through dance battles and contests.
Gaining the momentum of these movements, The Japan Foundation Asia Center, together with PARCO Co., Ltd., is cooperating together to produce “Dance Dance Asia” project to foster the original production in the theatre based on and inspired by street dance, and promote the exchange by street dance in Asia, aiming to play a vital role for a new cultural creation in the Asian region.
This program contains not only stage performance but also workshop. Japanese dancers get to know Vietnamese dancers through the workshop and explore the possibility of future collaboration. Workshops will be held on March 12, 13, 14 & 15, twice per each group. On the stage, they will perform their new pieces by various styles like Jazz, Hip-Hop, Break, House, Pop and Lock. Performance starts at 8:00pm on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March at Youth Theatre (11 Ngo Thi Nham, Hanoi).
The performance is free admission but you are required to get free advanced tickets which will be distributed from 2pm on Thursday5March at the Japan Foundation (27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi/TEL 04-3944-7419) in Hanoi.
For inquiries and interviews with the musicians, 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
Dance Dance Asia - Crossing the Movements -
Hanoi
Date & Time:Saturday14Sunday15March 2015
[Open] 19:30 [Start] 20:00
Venue:Youth Theatre
11 Ngo Thi Nham, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Free ticket distribution:*Please refrain from taking children under 6 years old to the concert.
[From 2pm on Thursday5March onward]
The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam
27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
[Opening hours] 09:00 – 18:00 (Sunday closed)
Program
■ Moreno Funk Sixers247 HOOD
We’re the “Dream Team”, members of three dance groups active on the worldwide scene ~ Co-thkoo, GOGO BROTHERS and Former Action. Each member has their distinct high level of style, with genuine texture, we pull you into our vibe on the spot. We all hooked up on the streets and are challenged to hit the big stage. Nothing more to say, you gotta feel us in your bones. Let’s have a blast!
■ Memorable MomentTrust Yourself
We live in fast paced times with overflowing streams of evolving information. You can be washed away by the currents of data, you can be at their mercy, or you can withdraw into your shell. All the while, what is really precious to us...
Memorable Moment empowers you with their unique “heartfelt” dance style.
We believe in the “important thing” ~ follow your instincts ~ trust yourself.
■ 90’s90’s Airline
The ultra-cool 90’s show
The unique dancers, leading the next generation, are together as the 90’s!
The future of Japanese street dance has hit the scene.
All together on one stage, our first show was a smash. From the mesmerized kids’ point of view, looking back on the genesis of Japanese street dance, we reintroduce old school style the way it was done by popular artists, of that gone era, with beats and dance music at epic events. On stage, with no words, each of us pushes the envelope, busting styles to limits that drive crowds berserk.
This time the theme is TRIP.
Let’s trip out with music and dance in the world.
Performer’s Profiles
Moreno Funk Sixers
Three top-ranking competitive old school groups with street dance roots
Co-thkoo, GOGO BROTHERS, and Former Actionboast mad skills in the old-school dance styles of pop and lock, and always walk away winners at dance battle events held in Japan and other countries. They’ve had shows and workshops in over 150 major cities, 30 countries, and 5 continents. Gaining respect from the street dance heroes of the world, this dope unit are without a doubt, acesof the Japanese street dance scene and act as ambassadors linking the bridge from Japan to stages all over the world.
Members : KEI / GUCCHON / REI / KITE / MADOKA
Video :
Memorable Moment
A jazz dance team with expressions that reverberate through the soul
This “Expressionistic Jazz Dance” company is headed by KAORIalive, a leading Japanese choreographer. The group creates performances with the power of expression that only true talent brings, wowing audiences with their deft unison, unique choreography, and worldly approach. Their masterpiece, “No War”, was awarded the top prize, as well as the judge’s award, at the Legend Tokyo Chapter 4 event and in 2013, appearing for the first time as the Japanese team at the World of Dance (Los Angeles) competition, they placed third and also received the award for best theme. The group’s well-honed sensitivity and flexible bodies create a vibe that evolves each day, gaining them worldwide recognition.
Members : KAORIalive / OKKI / Naomi / Mami / NAO / kaorin / sayaka / Naoki / Misuzu / Hirotaka
Video :
Performer’s Profiles
90’s
Ultra popular at home and abroad, these esteemed talents are proud to carry the weight of the future of street dance on their shoulders
These top young dancers, all born in the 90s, bring Jazz, Hip Hop, Break, House, and Waack to the highest peak of the stage in Japan, and are the core force of the next generation. The group features TAISUKE, the dancer who in 2014 achieved the amazing feat, as a wild card, of placing second in the annual Red Bull BC One individual B-Boy competition held in Paris; Ruu, the dancer who won the grand prize in a national contest in her first year in high school and won the Jury Prize as the youngest Japanese competitor in the choreography contest of “Legend Tokyo – Chapter 5”; and KYOKA, the dancer who’s still a kid, and in 2014 made it to the quarter finals in the hip-hop division, as part of the troupe Brush Up, in the Japanese competition World Dance Colosseum, and as the selected Japanese competitor, took home the prestigious title of semi-finalist at Juste Debout International Festival of Hip Hop Dance, beating out world-class dancers in the final rounds in France. A bright future ahead, these skillful young dancers, on their own and as a crew, are wearing out tatami’s at home and tearing up stages abroad.
Members : TAISUKE / KATSUYA / YU-YA / RUU / KYOKA / IBUKI / KAZANE
Video :