Cypher Playground Festival 2026

CYPHER PLAYGROUND

2026 FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 10 to 13

TORONTO

FILMS, PANELS, BATTLES, WORKSHOPS

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 street dance community, film screenings, workshops and dance battles, including Cambellocking, Breaking, Hip hop, House, Popping, and Punking/Waacking.

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.

Day 1 - September 10th /Panel/ short doc/ cambellocking battle

Join us for the opening day of the 2026 festival! 

A lively panel discussion on the sonic landscape of the dance floor, with some of Toronto's top artists. Witness the world premiere of THE FOUNDATION / FLAVOUR IN DA STREET, a short doc featuring one of Toronto’s OG street dance artists LICORICE LLOYD. Also, a cambellocking battle judged by the amazing Lady C! 

PANEL DISCUSSION | Sonic landscape of the dance floor

Facilitated by Kosi

Panelists 

Lady C

DJ Timber 

Berma 

DJ Iced Misto 

DJ BBad 

FILM SCREENING | Short Doc 

LICORICE LLOYD : THE FOUNDATION / FLAVOUR IN DA STREET

This is the story of Licorice Lloyd. A founding member and pioneer within Toronto’s street dance scene. He represents the will to keep the community alive and brings knowledge and context from the past into the present and future. This is a love letter to the legacy of street dance. 

Made by Open Jam Collective

Cinematographer: Mattieau (Manikk Realm Media)

Editor: Michelle "Ky" Hanitijo

CAMPBELLOCKING BATTLE | Judge: Lady C | DJ: Jason Palma |

MC: Kosi | $500 Prize

The Bevy Cafe, 738 Dundas St. E | 6-11pm | $25 Admission

Day 2 - September 11th /Breaking and Hip Hop Jam 

Breakers & Hip-Hop Heads, this is your floor—2 vs 2 breaking and 1 vs 1 hip hop battles 

1v1 HIP HOP BATTLE | Judge: Kosi | DJ: Switch | $500 Prize

2v2 BREAKING BATTLE | Judges: Burn, Switch, & JBugz | DJ: Timber |

MC: Tafiya | $1000 Prize

Ada Slaight Hall, 585 Dundas Street East | 6-11pm | $25 Admission

Day 3 - September 12th/ Battles

This day features one-on-one battles in House dance, Popping, & Punking//Waacking! Come battle, cypher, and celebrate with us! 

PUNKING/WAACKING BATTLE | Judge: Archie Burnett | DJ: Iced Misto | $500 Prize

POPPING BATTLE | Judge: Mr. Wiggles | DJ: BBad | $500 Prize

HOUSE BATTLE | Judge: LaTasha | DJ: Dirty Dale | Prize: $500 |

MC: Pyro and Lady C


Ada Slaight Hall, 585 Dundas Street East | 2-11pm | $25 Admission

Childminding room 3-6pm & chest feeding room available

Childminding: 3:00-6:00 pm

(for drop off registration required cypherplaygroundto@gmail.com) 

Day 4 - September 13th /Workshops

Catch the masterclasses with living legends and a special closing night film screening to be announced…

POPPING WORKSHOP w/ Mr. Wiggles | 11:00-12:30pm

HOUSE WORKSHOP w/ LaTasha Barnes | 1:00--2:30pm

PUNKING/WAACKING WORKSHOP w/ Archie Burnett | 3:00-4:30pm

Workshops at Canoe Landing, 45 Fort York Blvd |

$40 per Class, all 3 for $105 

Special film screening and closing night social to be announced. 

Credits: 

Producers: Kristine Flores, Emily Law, Sarah Tumaliuan, Iced Misto, & BBad 

Lighting design: Natalia Cortes