The Blessing is a spectacular celebration marking Windrush Day and Refugee Week 2025 that will bring together musicians, artists and our local community.

The event will start with a Caribbean blessing for Hackney, featuring drumming, spoken word, steel pan and singing. The show will finish with our massed choirs, taking the stage alongside an exciting line up of musical headliners to fill the theatre with rhythm and joy.   

A partnership between Hackney Empire, Counterpoints Arts, and Rising Tide, The Blessing will be guided by conversations and creative collaboration between young people and their elders. We will celebrate the superpowers of Community and Welcome, pay tribute to the contributions and experiences of refugee and Windrush generations, and bring healing and solidarity to those that attend under the watchful eyes of Papa Bois, a Caribbean folklore character. 

All ticket sales will go towards supporting Hackney Empire and Counterpoints’ wider engagement programmes.

Funded by the Windrush Day Grant Scheme, supported by Ministry of Housing Community and Local Government administered by Near Neighbours.

This project is supported by Hackney Council.

Presented by Hackney Empire and Counterpoints Arts.

Tickets:

Price: £10 – £30 (plus £1.20 per ticket online, £1.40 per ticket over the phone)

BOOK HERE

Generations Together Tickets:
Young people can bring someone from an older generation for free – and vice versa. Whether it’s a grandparent and grandchild, a mentor and mentee, or just two friends from different eras, The Blessing is all about sharing experiences across generations.
• Young Person – Under 25
• Middle Generation – 25-59
• Older Generation – 60+

Running time: Approximately 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval

Content warning: Contains the use of haze, frequently changing lighting states and performers in the auditorium