Ron Lanza, preforming arts and gay comedy club pioneer, dies

SF Chronicle - Ron Lanza, a pioneering cultural impresario who opened one of the first gay comedy clubs in America, died Tuesday at the VA hospital in San Francisco.

Mr. Lanza opened the Valencia Rose in 1981 by convincing schoolteacher Tom Ammiano to bring his kitchen kitsch humor to a live audience. Valencia Rose was followed by Josie's Cabaret and Juice Joint, which reigned for nearly 10 years as the San Francisco destination for gay comedy, poetry and even political campaigns.  Read more.

Comments

Popular Posts