MAU (literally “to dance” in Japanese) is a special touring performance celebrating the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. MAU was held last weekend — the 16th and 17th of November 2013, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.

Feauturing dance pairs and troupes from Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore, the performances put a spotlight on the rich culture of dance shared by the participating countries.

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The highlight of the performance is a special collaborative effort where the different dancers were united against a common foe, personified by a demon as performed by esteemed Kabuki actor and choreographer Fujima Kanjuro VIII.

Participating in the show are the Soke-Fujima-Ryu (Fujima School) and musicians Umeya Tomoe and Umeya Ukon from Japan; LKB Saraswati (Lembaga Kesenian Bali Saraswati) from Indonesia; ASWARA Dance Company from Malaysia; Airdance from the Philippines, and the Siong Leng Musical Association from Singapore.