Dave Chappelle’s Show In Minneapolis Canceled Following Backlash From Transphobic Remarks: We Know We Must Hold Ourselves To The Highest Standards
Dave Chappelle’s Show In Minneapolis Canceled Following Backlash From Transphobic Remarks: We Know We Must Hold Ourselves To The Highest Standards
Dave Chappelle’s standup show has been booted out following his controversial comments about the transgender community.
On Wednesday (July 20) comedian and actor Dave Chappelle was scheduled to appear at Minnesota metropolis’ First Avenue. Hours before the start of the sold-out show, First Avenue made an announcement on Instagram stating that Dave Chappelle’s performance would take place at Varsity Theater instead. The venue’s apology highlights receiving backlash for booking the 48-year-old amidst controversy regarding jokes about the transgender community from his Netflix special ‘The Closer.’
First Avenue’s statement said:
“The Dave Chappelle show tonight at First Avenue has been cancelled and is moving to the Varsity Theater.”
First Avenue’s statement continued:
“To staff, artists and our community, we hear you and we are sorry. 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’s statement added:
“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. We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honoring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have.”
The Varsity Theater took it to Twitter proclaiming that they’d be accepting Chappelle’s show. Varsity Theater said:
“Attention Dave Chappelle Fans! The show scheduled for tonight at First Ave has now been moved to Varsity Theater.”
Dave Chappelle has yet to speak on the situation.
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