A new generation of writers aim to put a different spin on Toronto nightlife
Toronto has a new nightlife publication and it goes by the name Cunt Magazine.
The website launched last year and covers underground events in a style that might be best described as deeply confessional, uncensored writing. The site's provocative name stands as a testament to this audacious nature.
The candid tone and lack of censorship is also a draw for the young writers who contribute to it. And to make sure the contributors can keep getting access to the parties they want, Cunt Magazine exludes last names on their bylines.
The woman behind the publication is a local journalist named Rhea.
Rhea's introduction to the city's nightlife came when she moved to Toronto to attend university.
"I got that little piece of freedom when I moved to Canada," Rhea says, reflecting on the contrasting environment she experienced during her overseas upbringing that prohibited a type of party lifestyle.
However, Rhea had to take time to find where the party was really happening. A place where she could dance and "just get really sweaty with a bunch of strangers on the dancefloor."
"I think the best events happen at an undisclosed location," states Rhea, a tip she learned as she frequented more nightly events.
What once began as a passion project aimed at feminist analysis during her time in journalism school, is now becoming a platform for her and other partygoers to share everything about their nights, no details barred.
"It felt so obsolete going to places and then forgetting it in two weeks, so we started writing about it," says Rhea, sharing her thought process behind the publication's relevancy.
Alongside photographer friend Lucy, Rhea collects stories of parties that happen in unique corners of the city. However, in order to know where the party is, one must find the party girl.
Shaleel is one of the website's regular contributors and 'party girl' that stumbled into his role. He had always recorded his thoughts on paper, but sharing them for public consumption was a different story.
"I tend to be really shy in terms of how I share with people," he told blogTO, a hurdle that would be overcome with Cunt Magazine. After a year of knowing Rhea, Shaleel began adding detailed accounts of his wild nighttime endeavors.
"We add more of a personal experience. We're there, we are the party girls. We bring a rawness that you don't find a lot in local magazines, no shade," he asserts.
This approach towards nightlife reporting also appealed to Harry, another contributor Rhea tasked with collecting tales from the 'Toronto scene'.
For Harry, the publication's main thesis of promoting "anarchist art" was a major selling point for an expressive writer.
"There's so much bureaucracy around journalism. I just think culture right now is so lawless and so free. This publication emulates this spirit," suggests Harry.
The site's commitment to informing their readers about the current 'party scene' seems to be working. Cunt Magazine is finding an audience.
"It feels like our presence just gets bigger and bigger. People like to experience culture in a party setting like this," Harry told blogTO.
Cunt Magazine's growing mission to uphold a liberal form of online, written expression is expressed by all contributors, especially its founder.
"People aren't vulgar anymore. People aren't shameless enough. People don't know how to enjoy the simple things in life."
Cunt Magazine
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