Sunday - 24 November
11:30 - 22:30
Location:
Musis, Muzenzaal, Velperbinnensingel 15, 6811 BP Arnhem
Hip Hop Dance Festival: Soulcypher (12th edition) returns to Arnhem this year with an inspiring and powerful theme: "Hip Hop is Revolution." This event, organized by choreographer Ruben Chi and company located in Arnhem, has become a fixture in the Hip Hop scene, providing a stage for dancers, artists and enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the profound influence of Hip Hop culture.
This year's theme, "Hip Hop is Revolution," emphasizes the transformative power of Hip Hop as a tool for social change, self-expression and community. With a variety of performances, workshops and battles, Soulcypher part 12 promises to be a celebration of the art and spirit of Hip Hop, where both local and international talents can share their skills and passions. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or an enthusiastic spectator, this festival is the perfect opportunity to experience the energy and revolution of Hip Hop. During the main event you will see the highlight of the festival, the spectacular dance battles with international allure and performances by artists from the Hip Hop scene.
Lineup
Judges
DJ's
MC's
Performances
SoulCypher Expo - Hip Hop is Revolution
11:30 – 22:00
Location:
Musis, Balkonzaal, Velperbinnensingel 15, 6811 BP Arnhem
Tickets to the main event battles automatically give access to the expo.
We are thrilled to present an art exhibition during Soul Cypher Part 12. While dance is the foundation that brings us together, we believe there are many other forms of expression worth celebrating. We are honored to showcase the work of three incredible artists and three talented young clothing designers, who will also have their pieces available for sale. We hope you will take the time to explore the exhibition and support these artists.
This year's theme of our exhibition explores how hip hop, beyond its musical and dance elements, serves as a powerful vehicle for social change, political expression and Identity. The festival has curated three artists who exemplify this spirit through their work, highlighting how hip hop culture can challenge societal norms, advocate for justice, and inspire community activism. Each artist's performance reflects the transformative power of hip hop in addressing critical issues and fostering a collective movement towards equality and empowerment and inspires activism, reflecting the genre's ongoing relevance and impact in today's world. We hope to inspire our soul cypher audience with this to see that hip hop is more than only the dance part. We want to unite and remind ourselves and our community to speak up and stand up for your rights where needed.
Tickets
Ticket price: € 5,-
(Tickets to the main event battles automatically give access to the expo)
Lineup
Fashion corner: Style Zone
GOGO Lupin
We are proud and happy to present Gogo Lupin. He inspired many people with his artistic vision and sense for color and style. We like to give him space to showcase his latest work on the 24th of november during Soul Cypher.
Grégory Robert, widely known by Gogo Lupin is a Paris native whose life story embodies a rich interdisciplinary exploration. Raised in the conservative Parisian suburbs of Cergy, Gogo Lupin displayed an early interest for various art forms, dance, fashion and paint. Despite facing societal disapproval for his profound affinity for the color pink (since 2014), which he describes as ‘more than just a color; it’s a way of experiencing the world with pain and compassion,’ Gogo courageously proceeded to defy societal norms. He became a symbol of resilience. Despite being reserved in everyday life, Gogo Lupin expresses himself with unparalleled depth through his art. Each work, every brushstroke, is an emotional and visual exploration of his unique experience. The carefully chosen color pink becomes the guiding thread in his quest for comfort and tranquility. It is not merely an aesthetic shade but a symbolic transformation of everything it touches. Every aspect of his life, every emotion, metamorphoses into pink—a vibrant testimony to his ability to transcend pain and embrace beauty in every moment. Living with sickle cell disease since birth, for Gogo Lupin, each shade of pink represents also an act of healing, an artistic response to the suffering associated with it. His goal, deeply rooted in his essence, is to become the best version of himself. Gogo Lupin aspires to expose himself fully to a world that can be harsh, where judgment can be relentless. His art becomes a mirror of his journey, an exhibition that goes beyond aesthetic boundaries to touch the hearts of those willing to understand the artist behind the mystery.
Willow Evann
We are deeply honored to present the art of Willow Evann during this exhibition. Many people know him from the worldwide battle scene, but behind this battle cat lies a highly intelligent artist who has found another form of expression. We find it truly inspiring to see how Willow connects both his personal identity and the history of his culture through his work.
Willow Evann was born in 1985, he lives and works in Ile-de-France. A protean artist with multiple influences, Willow Evann is a visual artist, dancer and photographer. Embodying an in-between, he comes from a housing estate in Bondy and is originally from the Ivory Coast. At the heart of his artistic practice, Willow Evann studies his origins and his identity, fruit of the African and French colonial history. Willow Evann's work focuses on the representation of black people evolving in the Western space. To do this, the artist uses several mediums but wood quickly becomes his material of choice. Indeed, this material that he learns to handle alone becomes in his hands a real metaphor of the transport of memory. "I question the transport of black memory in Western spaces. Where do we come from, where do we belong, we the diaspora who change continents and remake our lives on a land that did not see us born? My research is also strongly marked by the misrepresentation of the Black Man in the Western space that pushes for discrimination.
My work focuses on the representation of Black people evolving in Western countries, addressing themes such as memory, history, freedom, colonialism, and royalty.
DISS
Mirte Engelhard
Wearing clothing is a form of expressing our identity and character. We are excited to add Mirte Engelhard, an iconic artist from the city of Arnhem, to our lineup. We highly value the balance she strikes between her craftsmanship as a clothing designer and seeing fashion as an art form of expression.
born in 1981, is an unconventional fashion designer based in Klarendal, the fashion district of Arnhem. "I see fashion as a language to help people find or rediscover their voice." But clothing is not always worn in that way. In our society, we are expected to conform to the mainstream. This is reflected in our clothing, which often hides our unique personality rather than revealing it. "I want to design clothes that fit someone’s personal story."
Sophie Roumans
born in 1990, launched her eponymous label in 2018. From her studio in Arnhem, she combines conceptual design with craftsmanship. Her collections reflect a critical view of society and seek to balance art and fashion. Sustainability is central, with locally made pieces that promote social awareness.
Kei-kevin Maturbongs
also known as KeKe, is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Learning young is doing young: from the age of ten, KeKe danced in various styles, including hip hop, modern, classical, jazz, and breakdance. KeKe’s style is best described as hip hop and contemporary storytelling. He uses dance as a language to tell stories without saying a single word.
What to expect?
DISS is a mini collection created by a group of young people from Arnhem, guided by Sophie Roumans and Mirte Engelhard. Inspired by the concept of DISS-proportion, the youth upcycled 3 looks for dancer Kei-kevin Maturbongs. In the video, you can see Kei-kevin translating the theme into dance, captured by videographer Jason Todikromo.
Style Zone
Step into the Style Zone, where young, visionary designers unveil their latest creations.
This exciting event brings together fresh talents in fashion, offering a unique opportunity to explore their innovative designs.
Each piece reflects the passion, creativity, and personal style of the next generation of fashion leaders.
At Style Zone, you not only get to admire cutting-edge fashion but also have the chance to purchase exclusive, handcrafted items directly from the designers.
From sustainable fashion to bold, statement pieces, this event is a celebration of originality and craftsmanship.
NOUKS
is a creative fashion studio dedicated to transforming old or discarded clothing into fresh, vibrant pieces. With a focus on sustainability, each garment is upcycled and crafted locally in the Netherlands. Atelier NOUKS believes in giving new life to fashion while reducing waste, offering unique, handmade items that are both eco-friendly and stylish.
Marica
a dreamer with a keen eye for detail, has turned her passion for fashion into a successful brand. Under the wing of Fannie Schiavoni in Barcelona, Marica's passion for fashion was born. Her unique style, characterized by hand-woven wool and extraordinary shapes, quickly became a trademark. With shows in, among others, the Obey store Amsterdam and features in magazines like Linda meiden, Marica has made an impressive mark on the fashion world. Her designs are not only visually appealing but also a statement: with love and connection, you go the farthest. From her spot in Amsterdam, she creates unique pieces, made from the softest wool and characterized by extraordinary shapes.
Capsurgery
specializes in customizing caps. With his signature distressing method and unique iron details, he elevates both old and new caps to a completely different aesthetic. Each cap is meticulously crafted, blending repair with creativity to create a one-of-a-kind look. Whether you're looking to refresh an existing cap or need a new one, Capsurgery has you covered. Reach out for your cap transformation.
Saturday - 23 November
Soul2Soul
13:30 - 18:10
Location:
Theater a/d Rijn, benedenzaal, Rijnstraat 42, 6811 EX, Arnhem
The Soul2Soul All Styles battle is dedicated to the fusion of different generations in the dance scene. This year the event will take place on Saturday the 23rd of November in Theater a/d Rijn, Arnhem. Up-and-coming and established dance talent compete against each other in energetic dance battles – thus showcasing the power and essence of Hip Hop culture.
At Soul2Soul we create a platform for all generations to meet, exchange and learn from each other! Through cyphers and battles, we bring together the younger and older generation to share the dance floor. Starting of with a cypher preselection, the judges will pick the dancers who go through. These dancers will randomly be matched with one kid and one adult to form the 2vs2 duos. These duos will be battling it out to become the winners of the Soul2Soul All Style Battle!
”You come alone and leave together”
Tickets
Ticket prices:
Participant: € 10,-
Visitor: € 12,50-
Lineup
Judges
DJ's
MC's
SoulCypher - Theatre Night
20:00 - 22:30
Location:
Starts at
Musis, Muzenzaal, Velperbinnensingel 15, 6811 BP, Arnhem
and transitions to
Theater a/d Rijn, Eve Hopkins Zaal (bovenzaal), Rijnstraat 42, 6811 EX, Arnhem
SoulCypher Theatre Night is a vibrant celebration of Hip Hop dance theater, where multiple dance and theater collectives from diverse styles and backgrounds come together to create a dynamic experience. This event is designed to highlight the rich tapestry of Hip Hop culture in the theatre.
Through these performances, we invite the audience to witness the collision of styles, where raw energy and precision meet fluidity and artistic expression. Each collective brings its unique interpretation of movement, exploring choreography through an interplay of rhythm, storytelling, and the relationship between dancers, the space, and the audience.
The night will feature four distinct performances spread across two different venues, offering a journey through the evolving world of Hip Hop dance theater. Whether it's the powerful grooves of street styles or the evocative narratives of contemporary movements, SoulCypher Theatre Night promises an immersive experience that challenges conventions and celebrates innovation within the dance community.
Join us for an unforgettable evening that not only showcases the artistic fusion of genres but also underscores the creative potential when innovation meets tradition.
Breaking Beyond
This edition, the program is in collaboration with the contemporary Arnhem collective - Arnhemse Meisjes. Together, we’re hosting the Breaking Beyond Lab, where two groups – ANY Collective (contemporary) and SERIÓÓS Collectief (Hip Hop) – work on their location piece under our guidance during a residency of a week. You can see the result of this lab during this edition of Soulcypher Theatre Night.
ANY Collective – Short story of parallel universes
Short story of parallel universes invites the audience to step out of linear time and space perception and take a look at all the time we spend on seemingly simple, relatable daily life actions. Through movement, acrobatics, theatre and live music, ANY Collective reveals the easily overlooked layers of both structured and coincidental art. Gradually developing scenic loops performed by Anna Mikula (PL), Anne Eding (NL) and Merlin Wallace (BE) become a pretext to a broader discussion about human interaction and contact.
During the Breaking Beyond Lab, ANY Collective wants to develop the movement language of the characters, work on a choreographic structure of the piece and see in what ways they can merge acrobatic ways of expression into their theatrical world. As each adaptation of the piece creates its different version, Breaking Beyond Lab brings them two new chapters of this piece, creating together with its main existing version a sequel of three different shows about time and space perception, human interaction, repetitiveness.
Concept & creation: ANY Collective | performance: Anne Eding, Anna Mikuła, Merlin Walllace | choreography: Anna Mikuła | music composition: Yannick Wandel, Anne Eding | sound design: Yannick Wandel | costumes: Anne Eding | dramaturgy consultation: Dorothea Mertin | photo documentation & technical collaboration: Rick van Woudenberg
SERIÓÓS Collectief – DIEP
Sometimes, we’re deeply unhappy – or deeply happy. You’re very much in love, or in deep shit. Life can pull you to the deep bottom of the sea, with no way out. What to do? Who can you ask for help? SERIÓÓS examines the layers of life duringDIEP (DEEP). What can those deeper grounds tell us about ourselves – or maybe about the other, too? In the search for the deep, meetings take place, there is a taste for the zest of life and meaning. Because DIEP makes sense!
During the Breaking Beyond Lab, SERIOOS examines how their piece can get new layers of meaning by taking it out of the theatre and to an outside location. One of their conditions for their performances is the breaking of the fourth wall and letting the audience be part of the experience. They can revive this within this new setting.
Choreography & concept: SERIÓÓS Collectief | Performer: Jasmin Deekman, Fiona Dekkers, Meis Köster | Music: Kenzo Alvares | Made possible by: ISH Dance Collective"
Roché Apinsa and Rock & Rolla
We often see friendships arising from common agreements - this creates clusters of exclusive identities that alienate themselves from other identities, which increases polarization and extremism in society. This mainly arises from ignorance and lack of understanding for the other from an inevitable fear of the unknown. Friendship is a form of connection where trust in and acceptance of the other are undeniable. Friendship can happen to you, but it is often a conscious or unconscious choice and a direct investment in something precious - something for the long term. The ultimate surrender to the investment of friendship with other identities requires a reconsideration of internal preferences, prejudices and beliefs. It requires an expansion of understanding for those who think differently. Only in this way do overlaps of identity arise, so that split identities do not multiply and drift further away from each other, but that the versatility and infinity of identity becomes central as a force of human being.
Acceptance of each other's differences leads to the most versatile and striking friendships; one of them is conceptualized in this duet. 'Friendship is a strange phenomenon. You can't force it.'
Rock & Rolla is a duet danced by Joley Groeizaam & Joel Westerveld. In an extremely intense duet between 2 explosive dancers, the themes of friendship and the multifaceted identity: irrevocable connection as a guiding principle emerge.
Concept & creation: Roché Apinsa | stichting 11:33 | Performance: Joel Westerveld & Joley Groeizaam | choreografie: Roché Apinsa | compositie: Melvin van Pelt | sound design: Melvin van Pelt | kostuum: TGIB | dramaturgie: Bright Richard | productie: Stichting 11:33
Zino Schat - EXIT Sign
With more power, you can make more impact. At least, that's what you would say. Unfortunately, all too often people lose themselves in the lust for power and anxiously cling to their powerful position in the world. How much impact are you able to make?
Exit Sign is a mirror of our classical pyramid-shaped hierarchy, with men doing everything they can to climb even higher. The intentions may have been good in the beginning, but get sullied by the self-centred drive to reach the top. Fractal's choreographer and artistic director Zino Schat drew inspiration for Exit Sign from his experiences from the battle scene and current conflicts in the world.
Zino Schat (1989) is a Dutch/Moluccan dancer, choreographer and sound designer. He is the founder of Fractal Collective. Zino honed his skills as a street-performer and toured the world with his crew SkillDealers. His professional dance career started when he joined dance company AYA and Solid Ground Movement, which also led to him choreographing as well. So far, he has worked with De Nationale Opera and Nederlands Blazers Ensemble. Since 2019, Zino is one of the in-house makers supported by Korzo.
Artistic Direction Zino Schat | Choreography Zino Schat in collaboration with dansers Dancers Giulio Hoxhallari en Tú Hoàng | Light Design Sanne Rosbag | Dramaturge Mike van Alfen | Costumes Pleun Pijnenburg | Sound Simone Giacomini | Produced by Korzo
Tickets
Ticket price:
Jongeren t/m 30 jaar: € 13,50
Zitplaats: 18,50
Illmatic X SoulCypher
22:00 - 02:00
Location:
Willemeen, Cafe/benedenzaal, Willemsplein 1, 6811 KA, Arnhem
Illmatic (meaning "beyond ill" or "the ultimate")
Illmatic party started more than 10 years ago with bringing old-school Hip Hop parties and block parties with Willemeen Arnhem as the location.
Illmatic is hip hop, 90's, boom bap, soulful, turntablism, graffiti, BBQ, vibes and more.
We celebrate the golden era of Hiphop with the Arnhem based Hiphop Party - ILLMATIC.
Drenched in Boom Bap and 70s - 80s - 90s Hiphop, this party is all about the classic and authentic Hip Hop.
Host : ROGERO
Entry: Free
T'weeshuis LAB X SoulCypher
20:00 – 00:00
Location:
Rembrand Arnhem, Velperplein 10, 6811 AS, Arnhem
This event invites young artists, creators, and thinkers from Arnhem and beyond to join a discussion on how hiphop transcends music—it’s a mindset, a way of life, and a form of self-expression woven into art, work, and the everyday.
Friday - 22 November
SoulCinema
17:30 - 20:00
Location:
Theater a/d Rijn, Eve Hopkins Zaal (bovenzaal), Rijnstraat 42, 6811 EX, Arnhem
SoulCinema, a look into the world of Street Dance through screen!
This evening we highlight films which are made by street dance- and/or film makers, whilst celebrating Hip Hop culture.
Both professional and emerging artists will screen their work and we invite you to enjoy their creations.
Next to the screening, you will witness a panel talk with professional makers.
They will have an open conversation on Hip Hop in film with topics such as;
being a dancer and filmmaker, commercialisation, and the importance of representation.
Are you a professional or aspiring film maker or dancer, or do you feel inspired by Hip Hop culture?
Then this evening is for you!
Host: Farah van Stokkum
Panel: Nicola Hepp & Richard Kofi
Tickets
Ticket price: € 7,50 / Pay what you can
Operation Windows
20:30 - 22:00
Theater a/d Rijn, Rijnstraat 42, 6811 EX, Arnhem
We are taking you to the streets to show you what beats in the heart of the city.
This is a guided walk through the city centre of Arnhem using silent disco headphones to connect with performances from different artists, showcasing the culture behind windows hidden in the streets of Arnhem.
We will walk with you and hopefully get to know each other better while sharing our love for art and Hip Hop. If there is anything you need to participate in this walk to the fullest, let us know and we got you!!
The host of the night is Amy Croqué.
Doors open @ 20:00
Visitors entrance: Entrance through the alleyway behind Theater a/d Rijn @ Rijnstraat 42.
Lineup will be announced soon!
Tickets
Ticket price: € 7,50 / Pay what you can
Same But Sexy x SoulCypher
22:00 - 03:00
Location:
Willemeen, Bovenzaal, Willemsplein 1, 6811 KA, Arnhem
This year, as part of the Soul Cypher Festival, Culture Cloud will collaborate with Same But Sexy. In this special edition, we want to focus on coming together and enjoying music by highlighting various genres, particularly R&B, Afro, Hip Hop, and House. For this edition, we find it important to celebrate the diversity of cultures and beliefs. We hope that this beautiful mix will come together during our club night and celebrate ourselves as a community! Come and enjoy with us on this special night.
Tickets
Ticket prices:
- Door : €12,50
- Phase 1: €8,71
- Phase 2: €11,21
Thursday - 21 November
The State Of Hip Hop - HIP HOP IS REVOLUTION
19:00 - 21:00
Location:
Koepel Kerk, Jansplein 60, 6811 GD, Arnhem
This years theme "HIP HOP IS REVOLUTION" explores how hip hop, beyond its musical and dance elements, serves as a powerful vehicle for social change and political expression. The festival has curated a program which exemplify this spirit through the programs work, highlighting how hip hop culture can challenge societal norms, advocate for justice, and inspire community activism. Each artist's performance reflects the transformative power of hip hop in addressing critical issues and fostering a collective movement towards equality and empowerment and inspires activism, reflecting the genre's ongoing relevance and impact in today's world.
Hip Hop is used as a platform to address local issues, empowering young people and bringing communities together. The local Hip Hop scene provides a space where voices can be heard and where creativity is used to drive change. This panel examines how hip hop in Arnhem functions as a powerful instrument for social and political activism. We will discuss how artists and collectives in the city use their art to convey important messages and make an impact on their environment. We will discuss concrete examples of how Hip Hop projects in Arnhem have contributed to social involvement and positive change. Let's discover together how hip hop in Arnhem bridges the gap between culture and activism, and what we can learn from the initiatives being developed here.
Entry: free
HipHopLive
21:30 - 00:00
Location:
Cafe Nelson, Coehoornstraat 33, 6811 LA Arnhem
Hiphoplive is an accessible jam session where young Hip Hop/R&B vocalists (both rappers and singers) can climb on stage to jam and freestyle together with musicians from ArtEZ.
This concept was created to connect two worlds (Hip Hop and conservatory) and to allow the youngest talent to get used to the stage and thus develop selfconfidence.
Based on the values that are so important in hip hop - equality, ownership and creativity - everyone is appreciated for entering the stage on such an evening, even if it is your first time.
More advanced artists are also present and participate: a spontaneous lineup in which a bigger name opens the stage, in which mutual inspiration and respect predominate.
Hosted: Authentic
Performance: T.B.A. & Open Mic
Entry: free
