Media Maven: In Conversation With April Wozny

If you’ve spent any time in Toronto’s creative scene, chances are you’ve crossed paths with the powerhouse that is April Wozny— a producer, strategist, and ultimate community builder. Whether orchestrating campaigns, curating events, or advocating for fair industry wages, April brings creativity and authenticity to everything she does.

In this conversation, she gets candid about her many hats, the impact of Business Woman’s Special (RIP, but forever iconic), the magic of queer joy, and how sobriety has sharpened her perspective. She also shares her approach to community-building, fair pay, and thriving at events without alcohol.

Grab a coffee (or your favourite NA beverage) and get ready to be inspired—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.

CLEO: April, you are a Jill of many trades. Can you give our community a brief overview of all that you do?

APRIL: If only you could hear the belly laugh I just let out! Yes, indeed, I am a Jill of many trades. In short: I am a producer. I produce campaigns (video and stills) and events (of every kind). Producing a campaign is the same set of skills as producing an event.

At heart, I am a community builder, people collector and connector, strategist and human Rolodex - all of which are the baseline qualities and skills of a producer. Look at my career and you will see that I’ve done all the jobs that a producer needs to know how to do. Look at my network and take note of how I like to play chess with collaborations. Think of how you would curate your guest list for the party: you need to curate the vibe. It’s the people that make the party. Intentional curation is what I do with everything. 

Being a producer is much more than ‘being on time and on budget’. I look at ideas, the people involved, budgets and strategize how to make it come to life. Sometimes the job requires you to be incredibly creative with your resources. For example: I love a good healthy budget (who doesn’t?) but I also like an amazing idea/cause with a scrappy budget. So you need to figure out who/what/where/when to pull time and energy from to make that idea happen. It’s so nice to see the final work out in the wild or everyone leaving your event with a good experience.

CLEO: As the co-founder of Business Woman’s Special (BWS), you’ve written about how much you needed it in your life. What ultimately led you to start hosting?

APRIL: RIP BWS (2009-2023) but forever in our hearts! BWS was born out of a necessity for west end queers in Toronto. We all lived in the west but there weren't really any queer spaces to dance, party, hang unless it was somebody’s living room after partying in The Village in the east end earlier on in the night. BWS was born during a time when the West Queer West movement was just a baby. Other west-end queer parties like Big Primpin’ and Yes Yes Y’all (YYY) started around the same time. (Special shout out to The Beaver (RIP)!). BWS made home in Kensington Market which was specifically chosen: still west end yet accessible via public transportation. Key word: accessible. 

When there is a need for community, people will always find each other and it will eventually blossom. It’s a really beautiful thing. Especially on the dance floor. Side story: picture it - it’s a dark sweaty bar in February, Whitney Houston died that day, the queers are mourning on the dance floor. One of the DJs cuts the bass-y dance music and suddenly throws on Whitney’s “I Will Always Love You” original track. A sea of queer folks start singing along at the top of their lungs paying tribute to our queen. The DJ cuts the music at the chorus and all you can hear is every single person singing acapella, “And IIIIIIIIII will always love youuuuUUuUuUuu!” while the lights twinkle on the disco ball. That iconic moment will forever be etched in my core being and I will carry it with me forever.

There is something so immaculately holy about queer joy. It’s self-expression, individuality and community all at once. I’ve always had a hard time articulating it because you need to experience it yourself. I didn’t realize how much I missed it during the pandemic. It’s a feeling that I hope everyone gets to experience.

CLEO: What is your favourite part about being a creative producer of content and events?

APRIL: I get to work with the coolest people from top to bottom. I don’t mean ‘cool’ in any traditional sense. By ‘cool’ I mean people who have intelligence and/or creativity. I am so deeply attracted to people who show me their guts, brains and talent. I mean that separately in a professional and personal way. Because when you show up authentically and put your goods on display, that’s courage. And I like that.

Working with different personalities also keeps me on my toes. Variety is the spice of life, friends.

CLEO: As someone who talks openly about their sobriety, how have you been able to balance being the ultimate host of parties and events?

APRIL: You get to the point where you really don’t give a shit. You drink? Cool, I don’t. End of story. Moving on. Plus when I am hosting, I am technically working. I am ‘on’ when I’m working the room making sure my guests are acknowledged, tickled pink and enjoying themselves. Hosting and/or producing, I need to be sharp to oversee logistics, that everyone is briefed and where they need to be. It is so painful to be off a beat because people generally pick up on it especially when they are familiar with you.

(<curtsy> Thank you for calling me the ultimate host. I’m chuffed.)

QUICK TIPS if you’re not drinking at an event:

1. There are some incredible N/A (non-alcoholic) options these days that bars are stocked with. A thoughtfully produced event will always have N/A options.

2. Why you are not drinking is nobody’s business. Sass back with a smile if anyone questions you. You control the narrative. 

I’ve never actually acknowledged this out loud but one of the reasons I came out of the ‘sober closet’ was because I caught wind that people were speculating and gossiping about me when I privately got sober. This was also almost ten years ago when sobriety wasn’t as accepted. I hated it to my very core that it felt like people took my voice away. For one, gossipy behaviour is not kind, let alone to gossip about someone’s struggles. Two: it was my proverbial middle finger to say, “No, you don’t control my narrative. I do.” Three: I am comfortable talking about uncomfortable things. If you want to keep your sobriety private, then do so. This was my choice to be public about it. Also, sobriety brought me joy so why would I not talk about it?

CLEO: How has sobriety helped you in your work and creativity?

APRIL: There was a reel going around where this guy asked a woman, “What’s the scariest thing you’ve done?”. She replied, “Sobriety. Just raw doggin’ life.” Okay, yes, true. There’s something to be said to clear out stagnant or unhelpful ‘habits’ to make way for new healthier habits. It’s basic energy math: take away something negative and replace it with something positive, you will yield whatever energy you need to put towards your goals (ex. Better job, writing more, joining a band, etc.).

Sobriety helps me experience everything raw and real time. In turn, that brings clarity which helps me shape my overall direction in life. Does that answer your question?

CLEO: How have you used the online space to grow your community and business?

APRIL: For BWS, Facebook event photos were hot! hot! hot! back in the day. Our event photographer Kimon would take the most iconic party photos in front of the bar’s iconic pink paisley wallpaper. We’d release the pics and it soon became everyone’s profile pic. It became a ‘thing’ and helped cultivate our party. Of course, that was back when Cobra Snake and Last Night’s Party were cool so we were on trend. Also, Kimon has an incredible eye and knows how to capture the best of the moment. Very lucky to have had him part of the family.

For sobriety, it was a matter of being transparent about it online. Telling my story in a relatable way and more importantly, encouraging people if they are struggling to seek help and providing resources to empower them to live a happier and healthier life. Or even just encouraging people to try it if they were curious. When people are stuck, it’s about helping to get up and out to move forward. Because that’s what we do, we take care of one another. We lead from a place of non-judgment and love. 

CLEO: One last question: what is your favourite way to take a break from work?

APRIL: Silencing my notifications.