noizemagazine - Index

noizemagazine - noiZe Magazine Issue 58 October 2008 - Index

Just as the six-month run at Avalon
was ending, Chris got a call from
the owners of the Roxy. It seems
they had noticed the 1,200-plus
turnout of gay boys at Chris’ parties
at the Avalon, and these packed
events looked better than the smaller
straight crowds they’d been dealing
with on Saturday nights.
EPIC Saturdays, Glamlife
Thursdays, Hot Mess Sundays
Chris Harris, along with Gay Mafia,
is now running three very different
weekly parties in Boston. Each
one has a different vibe—literally, in
terms of music; and figuratively, as
for the crowd: Glamlife Thursdays
at The Estate (Top 40 and hip hop);
EPIC Saturdays (big room dance
party); and Hot Mess Sundays at
Underbar, where Chris says “you’ll
hear everything and anything…
except Boy George.”
Boy George and Chris Harris have a
somewhat tumultuous history, largely
because the made-up DJ (pun
intended) still reportedly owes Chris
$10,000. Big Boy G was a no-show for a
party he was contracted to do last year
before he got busted on drug charges.
Although Chris has tried to collect from
the DJ, his management, and lawyers,
and left very clear and detailed contact
information (literally) at his house
in London, he’s yet to see a penny. He
even confronted him with picket signs
while the karma chameleon was picking
up trash in Manhattan as the community
service part of his sentence.
No ex-Culture Club member could keep
this cultural club phenomenon down,
however. Chris has become known in
the industry as a global promoter. Unlike
some promoters who never hit the
dance floor in their off hours, he tries to
get to as many other parties around the
world as he can, which contributes to
his ability to mix it up when it comes to
hiring talent. Chris’ events feature a bal-
ance of internationally known DJs with
local and regional up-and-comers and
established scenesters.
Aside from the Military Ball, Chris has
been responsible for organizing and
throwing world-class parties. At one
time or another, he has been behind
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Happy Am I! Healthy Am I! holy Am I!