After an online outcry, comedian Dave Chappelle’s performance on First Avenue in Minneapolis was canceled on Wednesday, July 20. However, First Avenue broke the news just hours before the concert was scheduled to start at the venue.
The cancellation of Chappelle’s show was announced on Twitter, sparking considerable controversy and mixed reactions. To resolve the situation, First Avenue announced that the concert would be moved to the Varsity Theater, which is about three miles away from the original location. Later, the Varsity Theater announced that the performance at their location would begin at 8:00 p.m. They also said tickets purchased at First Avenue will be honored at the new location.
What did First Avenue in Minneapolis have to say about Dave Chappelle’s canceled show?
First Avenue implied in their tweet that the decision to cancel Dave Chappelle’s concert was likely influenced by internet outrage. Their statement reads:
“Dave Chappelle’s First Avenue event tonight has been canceled and moved to the Varsity Theater. We hear you, the artists and members of our community, and we apologize. We understand that we must hold ourselves to the highest standards and we are sorry if we have let you down. We’re not just a black box with people inside, and we recognize that First Avenue is more than a room.”
The First Avenue team went on to explain how they promote “diverse views and creative expression.” However, they said the team should have recognized the importance of inviting Chappelle amid the uproar over transphobic remarks. At the same time, First Avenue recognized some who might object to the decision. People who disagree with the choice are invited to voice their opinion in a team statement.
The cancellation of Dave Chappelle’s show appears to be related to the uproar over his transphobic remarks in recent comedy series and his Netflix special The Closer. However, it is unclear why the decision to cancel the event and subsequently organize a change of venue with the Varsity Theater was made so quickly. There was likely some opposition from the venue’s employees, as implied by the team referring to “staff” in their message, among other things.
Furthermore, a recent Change.org petition, launched on July 19, called for the comic not to be given a platform. The petition stated:
“Dave Chappelle has a history of endangering trans people, and First Avenue has a responsibility to protect the community.”
The petition, which received more than 128 signatures, also cited the company’s code of conduct. It is said:
“Acting or speaking in a discriminatory manner, including intentionally misrepresenting gender or using racist, sexist, ableist, transphobic, homophobic, xenophobic or other prejudicial language.”
Netizens are divided over the cancellation of Dave Chappelle’s show at the Minneapolis First Venue.
While some members of the trans community supported the ruling, others politicized the matter. Some predicted that canceling Chappelle’s program would boost Republican support. Meanwhile, others mocked the situation as Chappelle continued to play in the city, barely three miles away from Minneapolis’ premier venue.
Moronic decision. Literally a waste of money to appease the minority of screaming harpies who wouldn’t have come to see Dave Chappelle anyway. Well, that’s First Avenue’s loss. https://t.co/W0AgY33pk9
— Oliver Jia (オリバー・ジア) (@OliverJia1014) July 21, 2022
Every time Dave Chappelle gets canceled by leftist lunatics, Republicans get votes.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) July 21, 2022
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education