Owupele Orupabo
Barking
Most memorable Barbican experience:
Soul Britannia event, it was mad (In a good way). All ages and an education for me on Soul in the UK.
Maria Kogkou
London
Most memorable Barbican experience:
I have had the pleasure of watching numerous wonderful productions at the Barbican but my most memorable experience must be Fabulous Beast Dance Company's Giselle in 2005. I haven't heard anything about the Company and whereas when I go to watch the work of people like Ninagawa, Brook or Donellan I have naturally very high expectations this performance surprised me and established my faith in Barbican's choices.
Lucas Evans
Kent
Most memorable Barbican experience:
Seeing The Black Rider a few years ago at the Barbican. It was like a three-dimensional Waits album.
Sook Meng Muk
Carshalton
Most memorable Barbican experience:
My first time at the Barbican was the Branford Marsalis Quartet concert in Nov 2004. I can never forget the swinging jazz rhythms that had me just hypnotised at my seat. It was the most remarkable experience I've had at the Barbican.
Karen Hall
What the Barbican means to me:
The barbican is one of the most iconic buildings in the city.
D Proudlock
St Albans
Most memorable Barbican experience:
Visiting exhibition with ball rolling...my kids adored it.
Udo Merschhaus
Ruislip
What the Barbican means to me:
The best acoustics of all London halls I have been to; Spacious sitting is always a pleasure; simply my favourite venue for concerts!
Vicky Brown
Manchester
The Barbican is accessible to all generations and types of interests.
K Dabrowski
London
I have been to most of the major exhibitions in the last 1.5 yr (Araki, Tropicália, In the Face of History). The curve is a peculiarity of its own kind and I was really positively agonized to see my compatriot, Tadeusz Kantor and his Cricot 2 there. I have also seen Perfume by Tom Tykwer in the Barbican. All in all, I think that together with Tate Modern this is the place in London of my greatest interest, and in economic terms this is the gallery where I have spent the biggest amount of money (this is not to say that you're expensive but rather that it is always worth it).Thanks for student concessions btw!
Vicki StaceyGuilfordI love the improvements to the Barbican - I went for the first time this weekend for about 18 months and it looks so much brighter and fresher. Great improvement.
Ian Haydn Smith
London
what the Barbican means to me:
The Barbican remains the only venue that consistently innovates, inspires and entertains, be it in music, theatre, exhibitions or film. In its championing of artists, both established and new, it is the cultural torchbearer for London.
Kat Elliott
Londonmost memorable Barbican experience:
Bad Film Club in December - exactly the sort of thing I'd love to see more of around London. Great fun for grown ups.
Rachel Brown London EC
what the Barbican means to me:
I like being able to access the free Curve exhibitions and use the library. The new entrance is a huge improvement- it compliments the building with a sense of modern grandeur.( I use it when i cut through the building to Whitecross St market.
Jojo Londonmost memorable Barbican experience:
The Dave Brubeck concerts - his 85th and Christmas concerts. Brilliant and I even managed to meet him backstage. He and his family and the conductor were really really nice. Brilliant. The staff here are great too! Keep it up!
Ingrid Londonwhat the Barbican means to me:
I have enjoyed so many art exhibitions, film screenings, musical and theatrical performances at the Barbican, but the centre has featured in other aspects of my life too - I had my first graduation ceremony there, and for a short while I temped in the wonderful library. I just wish I could live there as well!
Claire most memorable Barbican experience:
Loved it when the doors shut in the theatre before going on the adventure ride of Hans Christian Anderson's tale.
K Dabrowski LondonI appreciate Barbican for bringing together so many art forms. Thanks to it I could see S Beckett's, whom I admire, Endgame, for the first time in its original linguistic version. Furthermore, I have been to most of the major exhibitions in the last 1.5 yr (Araki, Tropicalia, City Utopia, In the face of history). The curve is a peculiarity of its own kind and I was really positively agonized to see my compatriot, Tadeusz Kantor and his Cricot 2 there. I have also seen Perfume by Tom Tykwer in the Barbican. All in all, I think that together with Tate Modern this is the place in London of my greatest interest, and in economic terms this is the gallery where I have spent the biggest amount of money (this is not to say that you're expensive but rather that it is always worth it).Thanks for student concessions btw!
Roberta
Londonwhat the Barbican means to me:
It means culture, open mind, diversity, everything one may need under one roof, friendly stuff, great library. Thank you Barbican Centre.
Angela Last Londonwhat the Barbican means to me:
The Barbican means many things to me: a very different, refreshing, peaceful space, an architectural utopia (the surrounding living space reminds me a bit of the film Logan’s Run!), a mysterious maze of corridors (always new discoveries!), picnics with friends and fellow musicians while enjoying free music and the ‘ponds’, great concerts (Lila Downs, Konono No.1, Tom Ze etc) despite them being ‘seated’ events, and lots of weird little things happening to me there……
Polly Powell (daughter of one of the Barbican architects) London WC1most memorable Barbican experience:
The recent changes to the spaces and entrance are really good solutions. The place looks fantastic.
Janet Davies LondonVery glad to see the dismantling of the last disastrous "makeover"
Ian Trevail Redruthmost memorable Barbican experience:
made the long journey from Cornwall for Joanna Newsom last Friday - what a fantastic evening, one of the best ever. congratulations for putting on such a special event. more events like this with the involvement of LSO would be welcomed. My only moan is the high price of bottled lager!!!
Slade Carter Londonwhat the Barbican means to me:
Coming from a small Australian country town to now live around the corner from the Barbican has opened up the world to me. Back home, weekends used to focus on matches between local cricket and football clubs. With the Barbican on my doorstep, I can enjoy concerts, theatre and visual arts from around the globe. Of course, I haven't forgotten my local footie and cricket teams, but the Barbican has exposed me to new perspectives and enriched my cultural experiences. Thank you!
Liz Simpson
Londonmost memorable Barbican experience:
I've been using the Barbican since it opened, it's my library, concert hall, favourite London cinema, theatre space ... and cafe! When I show my membership card, staff seem amazed by the low membership number - favourite experiences? too many to list but how about the RSC's many productions before their move, Thomas Hampson, Anne Sophie von Otter, Ian Bostridge recitals, LSO concerts ... I could go on (and on!)
Tim Toghill London N1 what the Barbican means to me:
It’s a wonderful purpose built Arts centre in the City - easy for me to get to and the facilities are excellent!
Petra Einwiller
London N1what the Barbican means to me:
The Barbican represents for me an oasis in my hectic London life. It is a place I go to find peace, to get inspiration and to have fun. Its architecture makes it a place that seems otherwordly, while its rich cultural offers broadens my mind and makes me experience wonderful things.
Sheila Hamilton Londonmost memorable Barbican experience:
Most memorable experience ever was seeing the jazz pianist Randy Weston playing with two groups of Gnawa musicians from Morocco - wonderful, exciting, joyful and moving music, a type of collaboration I'd never seen before.
