Tired of the cold this winter? Warm up by dancing with Toronto’s underground party collectives that celebrate individualism.
The era of clubbing is done for those in the know. Gone are the days of barely dancing while standing around the table of the guy who spent $1,300 on bottle service to get in, being denied entry because you’re a guy with a side bag or a girl whose leather pants aren’t tight enough. Pushing the community and the culture forward, these event collectives focus on the individuals who wish to show up, show off, and get as sweaty as possible on the dance floor.
Pep Rally - @itspeprally
Spearheaded by Chippy Nonstop and Karim Olen Ash, Toronto’s biggest underground cultural gathering focuses on diversity, inclusivity, and authenticity in all areas, including talent, venues, and attendees. Rejecting labels, Pep Rally offers everything from club to house, techno to ballroom, and beyond. Showcasing underground artists who historically don't receive mainstream recognition, Pep Rally fosters an exciting environment and a truly authentic community of club kids comfortable expressing their identity, desires, and orientations.
Kuruza Sound system - @kuruzaaa
Toronto's biggest and best Afro Party, Kuruza, has carved its own lane by showcasing African culture in the Toronto party scene. Playing Afro Beats, AmaPiano, Hip-hop, and Dancehall, Kuruza creates a space where Africans and those who wish to appreciate the diaspora can feel surrounded and immersed in the culture.
Nitro Funk - @nitro.funk
Wallace Da Silva’s Baile Funk Bashments brings his Brazilian culture to the dancefloors of Toronto. Nitro Funk brings the energy of a Baile, lively Brazilian dance parties where communities come together to dance, socialize, and enjoy music. Usually in conjunction with DJ Yung Shrimp Tempura, the infectious and highly energetic genre of Funk Carioca will have you bouncing all night.
YES YES Y’ALL - @yesyesyall416
A Toronto staple, now in its thirteenth year, YES YES Y’ALL has Peace, Love, Unity and Respect at its core. From dancehall to club to Jersey to hip-hop, YesYes Nino Brown and YesYes Jill run an exciting, genre-bending event with a focus on Caribbean culture and queerness, allowing individuals to get extremely wild pon de dance floor.
Shifty Disco - @shifty.disco
A fairly new event, but one of my favorites, Shifty Disco is one of the most exuberant parties in Toronto. Held in multiroom venues with two separate rooms of DJs on packed floors, the Red Room plays Trap, Rap, and Hip-Hop, while the Blue Room features club music. Shifty Disco will leave you feeling surreal in the moment and exhausted the next day.
Industry Friends - @industry_friends
If you want to get freaky, erotic, hot, and wet, then Industry Friends throws parties for you. With events often running until the sun comes up, these raves are not for the faint of heart. Playing techno, electronica, and experimental music, it's a slice of Berlin in Toronto.
Jerk - @1800.jerk
Run by Toronto’s Queen, Bambii my favorite party Jerk is a biannual rave (one in the winter, one in the summer) featuring the latest in experimental Caribbean and global club music. With food stands offering delicious jerk chicken, rice and peas, and festivals outside, and a crowd of 'gyalis' and 'gyal dem' inside, Jerk is a bashment straight out of the Caribbean.
Lotion Magazine - @lotion.mag
In the most extravagant venue setups, Lotion Magazine’s themed events will have your eyes wide open as you dance the night away to club music. At Lotion events, I've seen everything, from dancing cats projected on church walls while a man is being paraded on stage tied to a cross, to circus performers hanging from hoops on the ceiling while a giant LED Lotion sign flashed behind them. If you find yourself at a Lotion Mag event, be ready to be wowed.
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