noizemagazine - Index

noizemagazine - noiZe Magazine Issue 58 October 2008 - Index

Promoter
SPotlight:
Chris Harris renews
New England nightlife
by Jason Salzenstein
If you go out to any big clubs in Boston or you’re a regular at the major Circuit
events in the U.S. or Canada, chances are you’ve been to one of Chris Harris’
events.
Known as New England’s best party
promoter—and certainly the region’s
most important—Harris is no newbie
to the nightlife scene. And he’s
not just another pretty-faced party
boy. An adept businessman, Chris is
credited with single-handedly reviving
the once-languishing nightlife
scene in Boston; although now, he
has extended his reach much farther
afield.
With hundreds of parties and Pride
celebrations under his belt, Chris
knows what he’s doing and he does
it very, very well. Don’t think, however,
that this means that he’s sitting
back and sipping mojitos while letting
other people do the dirty work
for him! He didn’t get to be where
he is today on his good looks and
charismatic smile alone (although
I’m sure they didn’t hurt).
Chris has a long history in the industry.
He’s worked in club operations
at various levels for almost 20 years.
But it wasn’t until he moved back to
Providence from Miami that he decided
to start throwing parties himself. Luckily
for him, the administration of the Rhode
Island capital was supportive of his
efforts. His events were successful for
him, the city, and the charities for which
his events raised funds.
When the owners of the Strand, his
mainstay club in Providence, decided
to go in a different direction after a fiveyear
run, he decided it was time to move
on and up to the region’s biggest city.
Knowing about Chris’ successful
fundraising and fabulous parties in
Providence, Boston Pride asked him to
bring his Military Ball to the old Avalon
as the main Pride event for 2007. The
party ended up doing so well that
although the club was scheduled to
close in six months, the owners offered
him Saturday nights for the remainder of
the lease. Chris jumped on the opportunity.
Together with the Boston promoter
Raffael Sanchez, he began his ascent to
the top of Boston’s gay nightlife scene.
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Happy Am I! Healthy Am I! holy Am I!