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Denise Benson

@denisebenson

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Story & Chase Producer, Writer, Researcher, DJ & Mom. 🎼 lover. 🏀 fan. Queer. Author: Then & Now Toronto Nightlife History. @cherrybombtoronto
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Hot take our by law officers are destroying what’s left of our fragile nightlife community. Toronto is the 3rd largest city in North America and we deserve a thriving entertainment industry. There’s been too much power given to condos and multinational companies like live nation. We need to take back our city back and protect what little we have left. It’s time to subsidize smaller venues before it’s too late! Doing this would only create a more vibrant and a safer city. Time and time again we see street festivals being bombarded with too many people and it’s because we have nowhere to go. We do not want to live in a suburb. Keep box stores out of Toronto and start supporting small businesses and venues now by subsidizing the moms and pops club and bars before they all get squeezed out! Sincerely yours, Kiki LeFreak
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Were you at any of these events, recognize any of these names or know any of the people behind these pieces? I’m dying to find out and would love to hear about it. Some recent additions to my ephemera collection of gay, lesbian and feminist paper pieces mainly from the 80s and 90s. I’ll have a box of ephemera like this at the upcoming DOUBLE LIFE sale co-presented with @midnightmassbooks on Sunday, October 25th at @standardtime.to See you then
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What a night! 🌈✨ Last night, I had the absolute joy of bringing a night of mixed media art and creativity to the 2SLGBTQ+ community at Foy House — and it was SO much fun. The room was full, the energy was high, the laughter was even higher, and everyone brought such wonderful, generous energy to the evening. 💜 I’ve been wanting to create a queer art workshop for a while, so being able to finally make it happen meant a lot to me. I’m incredibly grateful to Foy House for providing such a welcoming space, and to everyone who came out, made art, laughed, played and shared the evening with me. Thank you for making it such a special night. I hope to see you again soon! Special shout out to @foy.house and @wildergeorgialee for making this event possible! Love to you all!!! 💖 And… stay tuned. 👀🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️🦄 More queer workshops at Foy House are coming! #queerart #2slgbtqia #queercommunity #mixedmediaart
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@cherrybombtoronto was one of the most memorable solo sets I’ve ever played. ❤️‍🔥 For the first time, I truly felt like I was ONE with the audience. Every lyric, every chorus, every moment felt like we were creating something together. As performers, these are the kinda nights you dream about. ✨ The love during the set was incredible, but the spontaneous standing ovation I got when I stepped out onto the patio afterwards… 🥹😭 I don’t think I’ll ever forget that. This night will live rent-free in my heart for a very, very long time. 💖💞 A huge thank you to @cozmiccatofficial & @denisebenson for trusting me with the headline slot. It means more than you know. 🙏🏾❤️ And to everyone who sang, danced, cheered, and shared that night with me - THANK YOU!!! You reminded me exactly why I do this. 🔥🔥🔥 This really does feel like the beginning of something special. ❤️✨ Thanks for capturing the moment, @ashleighmarieofficial! 🫂 • #ShahiTeruko #SingerSongwriter #LiveMusic #CherryBombTO #HouseMusic
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So thrilled to see my grid art piece, “What I Am,” on the walls at @bluecrowgallery. This Summer Group Show is absolutely incredible, and I’m beyond grateful to be sharing space with such talented artists. 🤍 The show runs until the end of August, featuring beautiful, accessible art all priced at $350 or under. Stop by the gallery or browse the collection online! #bluecrowgallery #mixedmediaart #kathrynboydfinearts #supportartists
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Thank you CHERRY BOMBers! What a night! The vibes were SO right, all of the performances & DJ sets absolutely fantastic, and there was so much pride, love and queer joy in the room!!! Here is a little taste of what it looked and felt like at CB Pride this past Saturday night, with lots more photos to come! Big thanks out to photographers @beth_hamersmash (colour, crowd photos) & @jesusssister (sepia, performer / stage shots) for their captures and to EVERYONE who joined us at Mod Club!
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Big Pride weekend! Vanessa: I am so honoured to have been able to share the stage with such incredible performers and DJs, MCing @cherrybombtoronto Saturday night. And we even got a very special visit from our mayor @oliviachow! Thank you, @denisebenson and @cozmiccatofficial for making this one of my best Prides! 🏳️‍🌈❤️🏳️‍⚧️
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What an honour to be on the @cherrybombtoronto team for Queer Love this year. My heart is so full - Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🪩 ✨ And obviously the mayor showed up and exhibited what true leadership looks like 🫶 @mayoroliviachow #pride2026
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CHERRY BOMBers! Excitement levels are high – we can feel your interest and positive vibes! We are pumped to welcome, entertain and celebrate Queer Pride with ALL of you! Doors open at 9pm, we go until 3am and we WILL have room available for those who didn’t snag tickets in advance (subject to capacity). Cover is $40 (cash) at the door and we recommend arriving early (close to 9pm) or late (after 12am) for shorter wait times. It will be a party from doors open to doors closed, with CB’s own dj Denise Benson kicking things off with a special set from 9pm until the stage performances begin at 10:30pm, and guest DJ THIRDEYE spins the closing set! (We’ll post all set times tomorrow!) If you have questions about the event, how to get to The Mod Club or anything else – chances are, we have answers in our extensive F.A.Q. Head to our Linktree (see bio) OR visit CherryBombTO.com. IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Mod Club’s security WILL check bags (not bodies) and request to see valid government I.D. BACKPACKS and other oversized bags are NO LONGER PERMITTED into the venue (see the image included here, with more details in our F.A.Q. and at TheModClub.com/visit, which also has clear info about ACCESSIBILITY, Coat Check and LOTS more). Please plan ahead and travel light! PRO TRAVEL TIP: We highly recommend public transit, taxi / rideshare or biking. TTC options are in our FAQ. One great option is to come along Harbord Street, which is just a short walk away. The Harbord bus (94A) leaves from Wellesley subway station, in the heart of our Gaybourhood, and you can also catch it at Ossington subway station if coming from further west. Hop off the Harbord bus at Shaw or Montrose and head south to College. Easy peasy! With thanks and much love to you all. Happy Pride and do remember: QUEER LOVE = POWER! There is power in living out loud, as our authentic selves, and in celebrating this with community – on the streets, on the dancefloor and wherever makes you happy! xoxo - Team CB
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the one ‘n only COZMIC CAT! Not only are we just FOUR DAYS away from CB PRIDE 2026, today we are also celebrating the boundless energy of CB co-founder @cozmiccatofficial 😺🎚️🏳️‍🌈 Those of you who enjoyed the sounds and vibes of S.H.E. Saturdays at 488 Yonge in the ‘90s, may recall that Cozmic once guested alongside me (Denise) when she was visiting back home (Coz was DJing, making music, and holding down a radio show in Philly at that time). We connected through music immediately. Flash forward to 2007, and the two of us decided to create this party we called CHERRY BOMB – with music and inclusivity at its heart right from our start! BIG THANKS to everyone who’s joined us on this journey so far! Check the next slide for more about my CB collaborator’s many incredible talents: COZMIC CAT (she / her) @cozmiccatofficial is a Toronto-based House and Electronic music DJ and producer celebrated for her dynamic, high-energy performances and boundary-crossing collaborations. As a Black, queer artist, she brings a distinctive perspective to the global music scene, blending electronic House with funk, disco, Latin, pop, soul, and Tech House, creating an inclusive, world-class sound that resonates across cultures and communities. Cozmic has released music on a range of international labels, and traveled globally to DJ at festivals and hotspots in Ibiza, Amsterdam, Ireland, France, South Africa, Australia, Fiji, Puerto Rico and Canada. She’s shared stages with iconic artists such as ANNA, Claptone, Horse Meat Disco, and Ultra Naté, and had her mixes aired on the likes of BBC Radio 1 Dance. Cozmic’s current release, “Lost In The Club” is out via @constantcircles, with TWO E.P.s soon to drop on U.K. label @he.she.they. Catch Cozmic on a number of stages and lineups this Pride week, including @wiggleroomtoronto on Sunday (June 28). BUT! The Cozmic one has been planning an EXTRA SPECIAL SET for CHERRY BOMB PRIDE (beginning right after performances by Jag Noir, Manny Dingo and Neno Freebird). Cozmic has extra love in her heart for you, CHERRY BOMBers! Why? …. “My fav thing about playing CB is the range of music I can explore with the crowd. It’s
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CHERRY BOMBers, we are now just 9 DAYS AWAY from welcoming you all to this year’s EXTRA special edition of CB PRIDE! With an absolutely stacked lineup of DJs and performers, this one will truly be a celebration of community, talent and our shared Pride. QUEER LOVE = POWER! Today, we’d like to welcome a certain King Charming back to the CHERRY BOMB stage and spotlight. They are a CB fave, our most frequent guest over the years of CHERRY BOMB PRIDE, and a beloved member of our extended Cherry Bomb fam – all with very good reason! If you’ve heard them spin, you’ll know our love is real. If you’ve not yet heard them play to a packed, up-for-it crowd, then we strongly suggest you jump at the chance to catch their peak-time set with us, on Saturday June 27! Without further ado, a little more about one of Toronto’s most dynamic and compelling DJs: SOUNDBOI (they / them) @dj.soundboi is a genre-blending force with deep roots in dancehall, world sounds, and electronic beats. Known for sharp transitions, bold energy, and taking crowds on a journey, they’ve played iconic queer spaces across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Bass heavy, genre-fluid, no skips. Soundboi will have you sweating on the dancefloor! Watch this space for more artist profiles, event info and venue FAQs! 🍒🪩🏳️‍🌈 🔥 CHERRY BOMB PRIDE: QUEER LOVE = POWER! Saturday June 27 . 9pm - 3am ADVANCE TICKETS $25 (plus HST & service fees). Link in bio. Reserve your spot on the CB dancefloor. ** Advance tix are getting low ** $40 COVER at the DOOR MOD CLUB (@themodclub) . 722 College a Wheelchair Accessible, top-tier dance club & performance venue CHERRY BOMB is a fun, flirty, INCLUSIVE 19+ PARTY for Queer Women, Trans & Nonbinary people & ALL of our friends and allies. PLUR + Queer Love + Pride = Power! (CB PRIDE 2026 art & design by @timpsingleton)
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We are now just 11 DAYS AWAY from reconnecting on the CHERRY BOMB PRIDE dancefloor! This city is already deep into Pride Month, and getting more festive by the day! Coz and DB are working away behind the CB scenes, making sure we bring you all an absolutely incredible event on Saturday June 27th. As you’ve heard in this space, it will be a party from the moment doors open at 9pm – Denise Benson spins Queer Club Classics, Dyke Dancefloor Faves & Lesbionic Bangers from 9 to 10:30pm, followed directly by performances from Jag Noir, Manny Dingo and Neno Freebird – until we wrap at 3am. We have a few more DJs to shine the CB PRIDE Artist Spotlight on, including this fast-rising local who will make her CHERRY BOMB debut! We are stoked to bring you the sounds and energy of the one ‘n only: THIRDEYE (she / her) @thirdeye.wav is a Toronto-based DJ known for high-energy sets that keep people moving. Blending house, disco, club, techno, Latin, pop and beyond, her sound moves fluidly across genres while staying rooted in dancefloor energy. THIRDEYE has played major queer and sapphic festivals across Toronto, including Lavender Wild and All Things Go, as well as at a wide range of venues, including CODA, Rebel, Wiggle Room, and Crews & Tangos. Beyond the booth, she is a co-founder of Shorty Hotline, a collective dedicated to uplifting POC DJs in Toronto. Catch her closing out Cherry Bomb on June 27th! Watch this space for more artist profiles, event info and venue FAQs! 🍒🪩🏳️‍🌈 🔥 CHERRY BOMB PRIDE: QUEER LOVE = POWER! Saturday June 27 . 9pm - 3am ADVANCE TICKETS $25 (plus HST & service fees). Link in bio. $40 at the door. MOD CLUB (@themodclub) . 722 College a Wheelchair Accessible, top-tier dance club & performance venue CHERRY BOMB is a fun, flirty, INCLUSIVE 19+ PARTY for Queer Women, Trans & Nonbinary people & ALL of our friends and allies. PLUR + Queer Love + Pride = Power! (CB PRIDE 2026 art & design by @timpsingleton)
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