One-by-one, the 22 girls in the UA Black ‘N Blue Hip Hop Crew arrive for rehearsal, anticipating their next event.

The group performed for the first time this year at the Homecoming Bear Down Friday on Oct. 22, the pep rally on University Boulevard.

Black ‘N Blue was founded by now-graduate Ali Burnette six years ago.

Several of the group’s members this semester are newcomers, but most have been dancing since they were little. Freshman Eden Bartron has danced for 15 years and is undecided between having dance as her major or minor.

At rehearsal, Bartron wasn’t nervous about the upcoming performance. “”(I) get nervous afterwards. It hits me … and the adrenaline kicks in,”” she said.

Every year, all members but the officers need to re-audition to continue on Black ‘N Blue. Since auditions ended in early September, members have been working steadily on the routine performed last Friday.

All the girls add something to the choreography, keeping it fresh, said returning member and pre-business sophomore Sarah Philippe.

Being in the group requires a lot of commitment because they rehearse three times a week, for two hours each rehearsal.

“”It’s a really good stress reliever for tests, exams,”” said pre-nursing major and Vice President Jamie Calvert. The crew is also like family, she said. “”We do everything together.””

Philippe was “”more excited than nervous”” for the performance. “”It’s a little different when you’re performing on the street, when people are eye level with you,”” she said.

After their performance, the new members told Black N’ Blue President Nicole Roberts the experience was better than they had expected. The team is now working on their next performance’s choreography.

“”This is my dance fix. It’s just fun, and we’ve all become best friends,”” Philippe said.

The group gets the chance to perform at UA functions and off-campus events.

One of the most memorable performances for the returning members was in Phoenix at the Suns’ pre-game, where they danced in front of thousands. Next April, the crew will perform there again, Roberts said.