News/Commentary

Theater cancels sold-out Dave Chappelle hours before show; begs forgiveness for ‘failing to be a safe space’

July 21, 2022 | | Print Article

Comedian Dave Chappelle had a sold-out show canceled just hours before he was to perform at a Minneapolis theater after a radical leftist group threatened violence if he was allowed to perform.

The performance venue, First Avenue, nixed the show, groveling in a statement, “We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down. We are not just a black box with people in it, and we understand that First Ave is not just a room, but meaningful beyond our walls.”

First Avenue said that it had “lost sight of the impact” when it booked Chappelle and then debased itself even further by claiming it believed in providing “diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression” to its audience while hypocritically silencing the comedian.

Journalist Glenn Greenwald tweeted, “This theater in Minneapolis booked and promoted a live show by Dave Chappelle. Activists objected, demanding they cancel it because the show ‘harms’ them and puts them in ‘danger.’ The theater capitulated and apologized for the ‘harm.’ The show will now be in a different theater.”

“Within the framework of liberal culture, it is difficult to avoid observing that Chappelle protests like the one in Minneapolis entail overwhelmingly white liberal activists trying to silence one of history’s most brilliant and successful Black comedians,” Greenwald said in another tweet.

MnUprising incited its members and supporters to “cover their faces and stay dangerous,” threatening violence while protesting “transphobe” Chappelle outside the venue on Wednesday, according to the Daily Mail.

Chappelle’s show has now been relocated to Varsity Theater, a venue not owned by First Avenue.

The apology mantra by First Avenue continued as they begged for forgiveness from leftists over having a comedian voice free speech. They apologized to “staff, artists, and our community.”

They also noted that “some will not agree with this decision” and encouraged feedback in an effort to mollify those who were offended at the venue dropping Chappelle.

The show sold out in five minutes on Monday and calls for it to be canceled began immediately.

A petition to boot the comedian from performing at First Avenue had previously circulated on Change.org, stating, “Dave Chappelle has a record of being dangerous to trans people, and First Avenue has a duty to protect the community. Chappelle’s actions uphold a violent heteronormative culture and directly violate First Avenue’s code of conduct. If staff and guests are held to this standard, performers should be too.”

Varsity Theater announced Chappelle’s relocated show on Twitter and said it would be a “phone-free experience.'” Activists accused the theater of providing cover for the comic’s controversial jokes.

Many fans asserted that canceling Chappelle yet again will just give him more material to work with.

One person on Twitter wrote, “The crazy thing about this Dave Chappelle cancellation due to complaining activists is that the activists wouldn’t have gone to the show in the first place. You can’t be FOR the 1st amendment when you cancel someone’s first amendment right 🙄”

Another commented, “By doing this, you gave @DaveChappelle more power than you could ever imagine.”

“Dave Chappelle is one of the greatest comedians to ever live and because he keeps WINNING they keep ATTACKING. I don’t see eye to eye on everything he believes but I respect the hell out of that man for continuing to voice what he believes #TeamTERF,” someone else tweeted.

“Unbelievable that this venue would allow a bunch of big mouth aholes to make decisions about who can appear at the venue. The more you appease these aholes the more they will cause trouble. What about the people who want to go? Punch back cowards!” one person commented.

Radio host Pat Donovan hit it out of the park, tweeting, “People who think @DaveChappelle shows should be canceled should be tied up and forced to watch Eddie Murphy Raw on repeat until they admit that they’re assholes, and then they should be deported to a country without free speech.”

Chappelle has two more shows scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the Varsity Theater. No doubt, they will be sold out as well.

Fans on Twitter sounded off, claiming that the cancellation will only make Chappelle more outspoken and more popular. And then there is the whole free speech angle:

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