By: Ciara Suesberry
In a world that’s always on, one experience is inviting people to pause—and play. Launching Friday, May 23, 2025, at Backyard FTL, located at 100 SW 3rd Ave in Fort Lauderdale, The Play Hooky Experience aims to offer a fresh perspective on taking a day off. Founded by DJ and cultural curator Darryl “FollowtheDj” Dungee, this innovative national tour seeks to encourage individuals to reclaim joy, reset mental wellness, and foster community connection—one Friday at a time. Combining elements of wellness, music, and interactive cultural activities, Play Hooky creates an environment where attendees can relax, engage with local artists, and participate in uplifting experiences designed to promote balance and well-being. This event represents a growing movement towards redefining rest as an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
Part wellness event, part day party, and part cultural revival, Play Hooky strives to be anything but ordinary. From sunrise movement sessions and community games to curated music and immersive interactions with local vendors and artists, every element of the experience is designed to highlight intentional rest and radical joy.
“The hustle is killing us,” says Dungee, a veteran DJ known for using music as medicine. “This isn’t about skipping work—it’s about reconnecting with what makes us feel alive. Play Hooky is a space that encourages you to choose yourself, to laugh again, and to protect your peace without apology.”
After its kickoff in Fort Lauderdale, the experience will travel—touching down in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, Charlotte, Baton Rouge, and Houston—each city infused with local energy, artistry, and authenticity. From BET Weekend in LA to Black Yacht Weekend in Chicago, the Play Hooky Experience aims to amplify mental health advocacy while celebrating culture in various forms.
But it’s more than a party—it’s part of a growing movement. With the U.S. facing elevated levels of burnout and increasing mental health challenges, Play Hooky offers a setting for individuals to breathe, reset, and rediscover joy as a form of resistance.
“At its core, Play Hooky is about healing,” Dungee explains. “It was born from my own need to slow down and reconnect—and now it’s becoming a way for entire communities to do the same.”
With a mission to create safe, affirming spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can unplug and come alive, the tour also opens doors for corporate wellness partnerships. Brands and companies are invited to sponsor activations, offer team-building packages, and align with a national movement that is seeking to influence how we view mental wellness in America.
Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are now open across health, lifestyle, entertainment, and community impact sectors—with early supporters gaining premium exposure and a front-row seat to the joy movement.
As the beat drops and the Play Hooky Experience begins its journey across the country, one thing is clear: this is more than an event—it’s a cultural shift in progress.
To learn more, view tour dates, or inquire about sponsorships and media access, visit www.playhookyexp.com or follow @theplayhookyexperience on social media.
Published by Joseph T.
The post Skipping Work Never Felt So Good: Play Hooky Experience Kicks Off Mental Health Movement in Fort Lauderdale appeared first on Miami Wire.