Two well regarded Minnesota entertainers die
Two Minnesota entertainers who shared very different stages died this weekend.
Minnesota Public Radio reports that musician Steve Kramer died in his sleep Saturday night. The Pioneer Press reports that standup comedian and podcast host Kate Urquhart died early Sunday, after a short battle with cancer.
Kramer was a member of The Wallets, and wrote much of the music, and played the accordian, for the Twin Cities punk polka band. After The Wallets disbanded in the late 1980s, he worked in advertising and composed jingles for clients including Target, Buick and MTV.
Urquhart, 44, was a fixture on the Twin Cities comedy scene, performing regularly at the Acme Comedy Club, Joke Joint, Rick Bronson's House of Comedy and Club Underground at the Spring Street Tavern. Comedian Maria Bamford will headline a benefit show on Jan. 22, at Rick Bronson's House of Comedy at the Mall of America with proceeds going toward Urquhart's medical expenses.