Why was Dave Chapelle’s show on First Avenue in Minnesota canceled?
Comedian Dave Chapelle had his show in Minnesota canceled and moved at the last minute as protests were going to take place in front of the venue.
First Avenue, a concert venue in downtown Minneapolis, canceled Dave Chapelle’s scheduled show there just hours before it was supposed to take place. This decision was based on First Avenue’s intention to “keep the highest standards” after they had “lost sight of the impact” the Chappelle show would have. The controversy comes from the comedian’s repeated transphobic comments in a recent Netflix special, which has created a backlash against him and the places where he performs.
Protests against Chappelle and his transphobic stance
Even though Chappelle’s show was a sell out, the social media movement against him and the possibility of in-person protests targeting the venue that was going to host him were enough to make First Avenue reconsider the impact this show could have.
First Avenue recanted and published a statement explaining that they “are not just a black box with people in it, and we understand the First Ave is not just a room, but meaningful beyond our walls. The First Avenue team and you have worked hard to make our venues the safest spaces in the country, and we will continue with that mission.”
It’s hard to believe they did not envisage what kind of problems would arise when hosting an openly-transphobic comedian such as Chappelle, but they ended up hearing their community and canceling the show.
Chappelle’s show was moved to another venue in Minneapolis
First Avenue’s statement also explained that Chappelle’s show would be moved to Varsity Theater, where he was already scheduled to perform two more nights this week and that fans could redeem their tickets there.