Cypher Playground Festival
Produced by Cypher Playground
About festival
This four-day street dance festival includes commissioned documentaries about influential Toronto dancers made by dance artists, a panel discussion with people who are integral to the Toronto club community, sessions, and dance battles, including Breaking, House, Punking/Whacking/Waacking, and Popping.
About us
We honour the city’s street dance history, the underground clubs and spaces that fueled its evolution. Through parties, conversations, and community events, Cypher Playground connects the past with the present eras, presenting the voices and movements that have defined Toronto’s street dance scene. Join us in exploring the roots of local street dance culture, and connect and exchange across dance styles and musical genres.
Festival Schedule
Wednesday July 30th – OPENING NIGHT
The opening night features a panel discussion with some of Toronto’s influential DJs, promoters, and dancers talking about Toronto’s club history. Then we will premier two short documentaries commissioned by Parks N’ Wreck, each featuring a trailblazing street dancer of Toronto.
PANEL TALK – A panel on club history in Toronto
DJ Mensa
Dirty Dale
Taboo
Sacha Williamson
Kiki LeFreak
& more…
SHORT FILM SCREENING – Premiering two short films commissioned to tell the stories of Toronto club culture, through exploration of a significant moment, people, crew, place, era, that contributed to Toronto street dance history
Raoul Wilke
Miha Matevzic
Michael Fanfair
&
Melting Pot Collective
DJ B BAD
Thursday July 31st
HUSTLE CLASS with A FUNK & DISCO SESSION – An evening of social dancing. Learn, deepen, and get hooked on this partner dance with origins in Disco clubs, through an evening hosted by T.O. Hustle Sessions
Friday Aug 1st
WINTOR SOLSTICE CYPHER JAM by WINTOR MASSIV
Breakers & Hip-Hop Heads, this is your floor—Wintor Solstice brings live call-outs, cyphers, and cash honorariums and awards for those bringing heat.
The main event: cyphers with prizes
DJ: DJ Fase & DJ Gripski
Host: Switch B
Expect hip-hop and more
Saturday Aug 2nd – FINAL DAY
This day features one-on-one battles in House dance, Popping, & Punking/Whacking/Waacking! Come battle, cypher, and celebrate with us!
Prize: First place $500, second $100
Judges: Knox, DAFM ~ D. Rhythmatic & Colours
DJs: Dirty Dale, Hedspin, & Kit Boogie
Hosts: Troy” WIP” Feldman & Emma “Le Geek”
August 2nd Child Minding Offerings:
- Babies and kids are welcome in the main Franco Boni Theatre space.
- Low sensory/calm kids Space in the BMO Incubator, provided in association with The Theatre Centre and Balancing Act.
- Chest-feeding room available upon request.
Producers: Emily Law, Sarah Tumaliuan, Kristine Flores, Iced Misto, & DJ B BAD
Parks N’ Wreck, Funky Facilitators, & 2u4u
Lighting design: Natalia Cortes
Sound: Iced Misto
Panel Talk: DJ Mensa, Dirty Dale, Taboo, Sasha Williamson
& more…
Short Films: Commissioned by Parks N’ Wreck, Raoul Wilke, Miha Matevzic, Michael Fanfair
& Melting Pot Collective, DJ B BAD
Hustle class taught by Nelly Nel
Session hosted by Toronto Hustle Sessions
Breaking battle by Wintor Massiv
DJ: DJ B BAD & more…
Host: Switch B
Main Day Battles:
House, Popping, Punking/Whacking/Waacking battle
Judges: Knox, DAFM ~ D. Rhythmatic & Colours
Dj: Dirty Dale, Hedspin, & Kit Boogie
Host: WIP & Le Geek
Presented with support from Dancemakers’ Curators in Community Fund
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council
July 30, 2025
to August 2, 2025
Wednesday & Friday $10 Minimum Fee $15 Suggested Fee $20 Pay-It-Forward | Thurs $10 Suggested Fee | Saturday $15 Minimum/Dancer Fee $25 Suggested Fee $40 Pay-It-Forward
Franco Boni Theatre
July 30 6:00pm-10:00pm
July 31 6:00pm-10:00pm
Aug 1 6:00pm-10:00pm
Aug 2 2:00pm-10:00pm
