GSU After Dark

Uncovering hidden talent in a typically empty event hall

by Siena Vitucci

Photograph by Olivia Thornton

If you go to the George Sherman Union during the day and walk up the staircase towards the main ballroom, it always seems to be empty. I considered it a pointless room unless it was being used for Splash or maybe a club formal, until one night when I found myself leaving a club meeting and walked straight into a sight that shocked me. 

The GSU Metcalf Ballroom was absolutely swarming with dance groups…I mean, like 10 separate groups all practicing their own choreography. I couldn’t believe my eyes, so naturally I went again the next day and found five completely different groups practicing.

I was floored. I thought there was no way BU had this many dance groups, so I asked around to see what was going on.

Turns out I was right. Well, sort of. I discovered that the GSU is rented out by several professional dance companies based in Boston, and I got to know a few of them:

Bulletproof Funk

Insta: @bu.bpf

One of the first groups I stumbled upon was Bulletproof Funk. It is primarily a breakdancing group that also practices street dance and all-styles hip-hop. Pretty cool combination if you ask me! They are an open dancing community, meaning if you are from the Boston area, you can join! Dancers come from BU, UMass Boston and Northeastern, and there is even post-grad involvement. They host open practices in the BU Sargent Activities Center on Mondays and, of course, in the GSU on Wednesdays! 

OFFBRND

@offbrnd.bos

@bu_mixx

The next group I ran into was OFFBRND, a K-pop cover group that was formed as an offshoot of BU miXx — BU’s very own K-pop cover dance team! Members loved their experience so much that they wanted to continue dancing after college, and they've done so well that they also have an NYC branch! OFFBRND will be performing at the MFA’s “College Night” on April 10, so be sure to check them out!

Hushcrew

Insta: @hushcrew.bos

Hushcrew is a K-pop cover dance group that focuses on street style, hip-hop, and even voguing, and its members looked really cool doing it too. It is another independent group that happens to practice on BU’s campus, and it even has another branch based in LA! Their latest showcase happened in March at Downtown Live, but you can keep up with them on the group’s YouTube channel, which is in their Instagram bio!