Club Impresario Chris Harris Passes at 51

Chris Harris, the club promoter who transformed the nightlife scenes in Boston and Providence over the past 15 years, died today, according to a Facebook post from his company. He was 51 years old. Service details to follow.

His company, Chris Harris Presents, presented weekly LGBTQ club events in Boston at Royale, the House of Blues and the Paradise, and in Providence at Club EGO.

In the early 2000s Harris got his start and created some of the biggest themed parties and Gay nights in Providence. His events were so successful that he was soon in demand and co-sponsor of the largest events such as Winter Party Miami, Black Party NY, White Party Palm Springs, Gay Days in Orlando, Werk NYC. At one point or another he had his hands in most of the US's gay circuit scene.

He came to Boston in the spring of 2007 when Boston Pride asked him to bring his flagship party, the Military Ball, to be their main nightlife event. Harris partnered with up and coming promoter Rafael Sanchez of Gay Mafia Boston and together they reinvigorated the staid Boston club scene.

Chris Robinson, former publisher of the Boston LGBTQ newspaper IN Newsweekly said of Chris: "When you saw the words Chris Harris presents you knew you were about to experience a fun night out. Chris and his team were instrumental in putting Providence and Boston nightlife on the map with themed parties, big name entertainers and world class dj's. I will be forever grateful for his support of my newspaper and his contributions to Rhode Island Pride and Boston Pride."

Bill Berggren, former sales manager of IN, recalled his best memory of Harris "was his ability to always keep you guessing with what was up his sleeve, his huge EGO, yes where the club name came from in Providence was all about making people smile and be welcomed and happy at every event he did. You could stand back and watch his smile and he watched everyone enjoy what ever event he produced."