A slew of musicians including Billy Talent are playing four benefit shows this week for the victims of last month’s Queen St. West fire in Toronto.

The first two shows were held Monday night at Holy Joe’s and The Reverb, and featured such acts as The Speaking Tongues, Mariposa, The 9AM Social, Basement Arms, The Salarymen and Anagram.

The cover for both all-ages shows was $10 at the door, while clothing donations were encouraged and a bake sale and crafts table raised additional funds.

The third and fourth shows will take place Friday and Saturday at the Bovine Sex Club, also on the city’s Queen West strip. Among those taking the stage on Friday will be Chameleonize, Trigger Effect, Titan and Sloan’s Patrick Pentland acting as DJ. The cover is $10.

Saturday’s lineup includes Billy Talent, The Creepshow, Latefallen, Black Lungs and others. The show starts at 9 p.m. and the cover is $20.

The Queen West fire on Feb. 20 destroyed eight historic buildings between Bathurst and Portland streets, causing almost $10 million in damages. About five dozen people lost their homes and/or businesses in the blaze.






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