By: Ciara Suesberry
As the city of Los Angeles gears up for BET Weekend 2025, an event unlike any other is making its way to the heart of the celebration — not with red carpets or flashing lights, but with genuine connection, community pride, and cultural joy.
The Play Hooky Experience, founded by DJ, entrepreneur, and community advocate Darryl “FollowtheDj” Dungee, will take center stage on June 6, 2025, at the LA Center Studios located at 450 South Bixel Street, offering a helpful reminder that self-care, culture, and celebration belong together.
For Darryl, Play Hooky is more than an event. It’s a national movement aimed at reimagining what wellness looks like, especially for communities that have historically carried the weight of resilience without rest. “We needed something that said: your peace matters. Your joy matters. Your culture matters,” he says.
Born on the streets of Baltimore and raised through the healing power of music, Darryl’s journey has always been about more than the beat. Music became his refuge in a world that often asked too much and offered too little. That deep understanding fuels Play Hooky’s mission today: to create experiences rooted in mental health advocacy, community connection, and cultural pride.
At its core, Play Hooky is a love letter to the neighborhoods, families, and traditions that often go unseen, blending high-energy games, live music, local vendors, and wellness activations into one unforgettable day. And bringing this vision to Los Angeles during one of the big weekends in Black entertainment is no accident.
“We wanted to meet the culture where it already is—where creativity, excellence, and community are already in full bloom,” Darryl says. “BET Weekend is about celebrating who we are. Play Hooky adds another layer that honors wellness as part of the celebration, too.”
The LA event will spotlight local vendors and artists, provide a platform for cultural small businesses, and offer family-friendly experiences to spark joy across generations. With a focus on mental wellness, attendees can expect more than entertainment; they can expect restoration, inspiration, and tangible community connection.
From local partnerships to national visibility, Play Hooky is leading with heart, and Los Angeles is about to feel the impact.
Darryl’s message is simple, but it’s precisely what the world needs right now:
Protect your peace. Celebrate your culture. Play Hooky—because joy is a revolution.
Event Highlights:
- Local Vendor Marketplace
- Live Music and Cultural Performances
- Wellness Activations and Mental Health Awareness Resources
- High-Energy Games and Family Activities
- Corporate Wellness Partnerships
- Community Connection with National Impact
About The Play Hooky Experience:
Founded by Darryl “FollowtheDj” Dungee, The Play Hooky Experience is a national movement designed to promote mental health, community visibility, and joy through experiential, culturally rooted events. Each stop on the tour amplifies local communities while advocating for rest, restoration, and wellness across America.
For more information or to attend the Los Angeles event, follow @FollowTheDJ and @thePlayHookyExperience.
For interviews or media inquiries:
Berry Dynamic Agency
Launch@berrydynamicagency.com
Published by Steven S.