Saved events

A Night With Boy Blue

Generation Blue

A group of hip hop dancers caught in motion. They lift one arm in the air and open their mouths.

Mixing exuberant hip hop dance displays, a joyful sense of community and the heart-thumping rhythms of an eclectic score, Boy Blue’s company showcase always culminates in uproarious applause.

Presided over by host Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy and guests, this evening assembles the entire company from the youngest pupils to professional dancers. Nearly 200 performers flood the stage in ensembles that match taut choreography with empowering movement and irresistible musicality. Whether polished routines or politically edged pieces, you’ll be carried along by the infectious energy, vitality and wit.

Embodying Boy Blue ‘at its warmest and most inclusive’ (Independent), the family-friendly evening celebrates the pioneers of hip hop dance theatre – and their creative mission to ‘Educate, Enlighten, Entertain’. It marks a three-day series of events that celebrate the next generation and look towards the future of hip hop as a global force.

Running time: 2 hours and 35 minutes (including interval)

Age guidance: 6+ (family friendly)

This event contains loud music, flashing lights and haze. 

Filming
Boy Blue will be photographing and filming at performances of A Night with Boy Blue including audience members. This footage will be for promotional and archive use. If you do not wish to be filmed, please speak with a member of the Barbican team.

BSL-interpreted performance, Sat 10 May at 7.45pm
BSL-interpreted by Ali Gordon.

 

Produced by Boy Blue,

Presented by the Barbican.

Image by Belinda Lawley.

Discover

Creative team

Composer and Co-Artistic Director Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante
Choreographer and Co-Artistic Director Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy

Reviews

‘To be able to create shows of such technical polish…without losing any of the raw power, defiance, menace and meaning of street dance is a remarkable feat.‘
Culture Whisper on A Night With Boy Blue (2022)
‘Most of the night is devoted to the extraordinary dance composition that has the room on fire before a single step has been performed.‘
The Reviews Hub on A Night With Boy Blue (2022)

Related events

From Fri 9 May to Sun 11 May, Boy Blue present a series of events across the centre. 

FreeStage performances (free)
Fri 9 May at 5.30pm–7pm, Level G
Stop by Level G for an evening of free performances from Boy Blue affiliates. Curated by Bruno Perrier, this showcase features twelve performances from some of the best companies and artists in and around London, including Corded UK, UEL Dance Collective and Elementz.  

Hip Hop Matters (£7)
Fri 9 May at 7.30pm–9.30pm, Frobisher 1 
Join Boy Blue for an exciting and thought-provoking conversation on the future of hip-hop, from where we are in 2025 to what the future holds.

 

Pre-show performance (free)
Sat 10 May at 5.30pm–7pm, Level G
Seeing A Night With Boy Blue on Saturday night? Come along to this free, pre-show performance on Level G with performances from Boy Blue affiliates, including Flawless Next Gen, London Contemporary Dance School and Impact Dance. 

BB – Frontline Battle (£7)
Sun 11 May at 12pm–4pm, Theatre 
Express yourself at this explosive dance battle event hosted by Boy Blue, with a line-up of guest judges and DJ's creating an electric atmosphere.

 

Theatre