Blak, Whyte Gray (12-15 Sept)

Elevate and Emancipation of Expressionism is two of the well know pieces by the acclaimed Boy Blue hip hop dance production team. Their latest offering Blak, Whyte Gray is a triple bill that reflects themes of identity, oppression and transcendence in a performance of pure physical poetry.

The world is in flux, the need for change has come. The time is right to ask questions, to break free from the inner tension of a system that isn’t working, and to emerge on the other side to an awakening – a return to roots, a celebration of culture.

The brainchild of Boy Blue’s founders, Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante and Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy, the piece, with  its multilayered electronic score, powerful choreography and staging make for an image-rich production with political bite.

The production is part of Barbican’s 2018 Season, The Art of Change which presents bold artistic responses to vital global issues including feminism, climate changes and human rights – and provide a platform for voices currently underrepresented in the arts.

Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante, composer and co-founder of Boy Blue, combines hip-hop, dance and video for his piece Outliers, a multimedia meditation on social, public and political consciousness.

Kenrick H2O Sandy MBE  was born in East London. The multi-talented and award-winning dancer, choreographer, teacher and actor Kenrick is at the forefront of UK hip-hop dance. Accomplished in all styles of street dance, break-dancing, popping.  As well as his Laurence Oliver award,  Kenrick also had the huge honour of being one of the main choreographers of the 2012 Olympic Opening ceremony.

Boy Blue – Blak Whyte Gray

Wed 12–Sat 15, Barbican Theatre. EC2Y 8DS, For details and tickets visit https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2018/event/boy-blue-blak-whyte-gray