Young Barbican: The Takeover

Join us this Saturday for a festival of events. From live performances, engaging workshops and talks to yoga in our iconic conservatory, there's something for everyone.

This action-packed day of events takes place across multiple spaces including our Level G foyer, the Conservatory and the Pit Theatre. The theme of this years festival is Euphoric Futures. This eclectic programme will give you space to learn and think about the key issues affecting us today.

One ticket for the festival gives you access to all of the performances across the day and ticket-holders can register for free on the day for the workshops, talks and other events.

This takeover was programmed in collaboration with our Young Barbican Consultants, a group of Young Barbican Members who feel passionately about making sure you have a good time.

Please note this event is for people aged 14+.

Tagged with: Art & design Cinema Classical music More...

This event is for people aged 14+. You don't have to be a Young Barbican member, it's open to all.

This event is sponsored by Sotheby's.

This is a past event. Subscribe to our newsletters to hear about upcoming events

Our Future Self

Our Future Self
Level G

Across Level G, our foyer area, you’ll find opportunities for career development, personal growth, and building your network through fun and engaging workshops, talks and performances.

Event programme:

Chill-out Zone & Freestyle Collage
Freestage, 12pm-5.30pm
Relax, chill and connect with your friends and other Young Barbican members. There’ll be chairs and bean bags, plus a collage activity to get creative with!

Professional Photography Portraits
Fountain Room Foyer, 12pm-5pm
Need the perfect headshot for your portfolio or profile? Come & have your portrait taken by Anthony Comber-Badu.
Ticket holders queue on the day.

The Future of Drag Workshop
Fountain Room, 12.30-2.30pm
Join drag artists Birdcage, Cabbage the Clown and Weedle Koichiii, alongside performance artist Joy Kincaid, to get creative and explore contemporary drag.
Capacity is 40 people. Ticket holders sign up on the day.

RESOLVE Collective: them's the breaks
Curve Gallery, 1pm-2pm
Join RESOLVE Collective for an exclusive tour to consider radical ideas for organising both within and without institutions in their latest exhibition them’s the breaks.
Capacity is 30 people. Ticket holders sign up on the day.

Finding Your Support
Level G Studio, 1.30pm-4pm
Network with reps from organisations that specialise in mentoring and learning programmes.

Haute Flame Candle Making Workshop
Fountain Room, 3pm-4pm & 4.30-5.30pm
Learn to make your very own candle to take home with Haute Flame.
Capacity is 20 people per session. Ticket holders sign up on the day.
Please note that candles will need approximately 45-60 mins to set before you can take them away.

Drum Works
Level G, 5.30pm-6pm
Over 50 young drummers will take over Barbican’s Level G for an epic performance, guaranteed to bring some energy to your Saturday afternoon.

Nok Cultural Ensemble
Freestage, 6pm-7pm
Join for a live performance by Nok Cultural Ensemble, who build on the legacy of cultural ensemble bands from 1960s’ West Africa.

Ecological Futures

Ecological Futures
Conservatory and Garden Room

Throughout the Barbican’s Conservatory, performances and workshops will explore our relationship to nature, its importance to wellbeing, and how ecological issues intersect with gender, class, colonialism and the Climate Crisis.

Event Programme:

Following the Breath
Conservatory, 12-9pm
Artist Sam Winston has worked with groups of young people to explore the air we breathe and where it comes from. You are invited to create your own artistic response.

Yoga Nidra in the Conservatory
Conservatory Terrace, 1-2pm and 3.30-4.30pm
Take part in a Yoga Nidra session, facilitated by poet and yoga teacher Simran Uppal.
Capacity is 25 people per session. Ticket holders sign up on the day.

The Space We Hold In Our Lungs - A Drawing Workshop
Conservatory Terrace, 2-3pm and 4.30-5.30pm
Join Sam Winston in this relaxed workshop as he explores the power of drawing to help re-visualise our relationship to our environment.
Capacity is 25 people per session. Ticket holders sign up on the day.

Alice Boyd
Conservatory Well, 3pm-3.30pm
Composer and sound artist Alice Boyd performs works inspired by the Conservatory plants.

Zakia
Garden Room, 7.30pm-9pm
A live DJ set from Zakia, playing cosmic sounds from across the globe.

FACESOUL
Garden Room, 9pm-9.40pm
A live performance from London-based Somali artist FACESOUL (aka Faisal Salah).

Future Ensembles

Future Ensembles
Clubstage

Take part in movement-based workshops that will culminate in a collective public performance in the heart of the centre.

Event Programme:

Movement/Dance Workshop
Clubstage, 2.30pm-4.30pm
Don’t miss out! Join the fun!
This is a Movement Workshop and Performance for All People and All Levels!
Beginners are welcome!
Join JUM3E and The Youth as they take over the Barbican!

Flash Mob-esque Style Performance
Clubstage, 5.30pm
Come and witness a public flashmob, movement-based performance in the heart of the Barbican!

The Future of Performance

The Future of Performance
Pit Theatre

Who are the movers and shakers leading the way in the future of performance? Join us for an evening of live performance showcasing some of the hottest up-and-coming talent.

Event programme:

Advaita
Pit Theatre, 7.30pm-8.30pm
Advaita is a synergy of movement, music and visual effects performance by artist and performer Chagall.
Free tickets for festival ticket holders will be released on 23 March.

The Remedy
Pit Theatre, 9pm-10pm
The Remedy is a powerful and breathtaking show by Reeta Loi, taking you on a journey told through comedy, poetry, story and song.
Free tickets for festival ticket holders will be released on 23 March.

Digital Programme