Obituaries : Cruz Luna, 50; Nationally Known Flamenco Dancer
SAN FRANCISCO — Nationally known flamenco dancer Cruz Luna has died after a long illness. He was 50.
A native of Spain, Luna learned flamenco dancing in cafes there and studied later in Mexico and Los Angeles. He launched his career at the age of 17 with appearances on the Ed Sullivan and Dave Garroway television shows. Luna danced in an international tour with the Ballet Nacional of Spain and in a Broadway show titled “Ole! Ole!â€
He moved to San Francisco in 1959 and performed with the Smothers Brothers and Phyllis Diller. From 1960 to 1974, he operated Cafe Madrid in North Beach and presented flamenco dancers from around the world.
He died April 29 at Garden Sullivan Hospital in San Francisco.
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