The iconic concert venue on First Avenue in Minneapolis has canceled a scheduled show starring comedian Dave Chappelle after the Netflix comedy special sparked outrage. closer.
By VariationFirst Avenue announced the cancellation “just hours before the comedian hit the stage” after activists criticized the venue on social media. In a statement regarding its cancellation, First Avenue said host Dave Chappelle would “lose effect”.
“We listen to you and apologize to the staff, artists and community. We know we have to hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down. “We’re not just a black box with people inside, and we understand that First Ave is not just a room, it’s a meaning beyond our walls.”
“The First Avenue team and you have worked hard to make our facilities the safest places in the country, and we will continue to fulfill that mission.” “We believe in the diversity of sounds and freedom of artistic expression, but respecting that and forgetting its impact. We know that there are people who will not agree with this decision; You can send feedback.”
Chappelle has moved his show to the Varsity Theatre, which will host more comedians’ shows this week.
We hear you. Tonight’s show on First Avenue has been canceled and moved to the University Theatre. See our full press release for more details. pic.twitter.com/tkf7rz0cc7
— First Avenue (@FirstAvenue) 20 July 2022
Urgent: Far-left militant groups in Minneapolis are calling for direct violence against tonight’s Dave Chappelle demonstration. they are attacking @First Avenue and successfully forced it to cancel. The show has now continued @VarsityTheatre. https://t.co/7cgkLuclJy pic.twitter.com/rAMMAYaeJX
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) 20 July 2022
This theater in Minneapolis commissioned and promoted a live performance by Dave Chappelle. Activists objected, demanding that the show be canceled because it “harmed” them and “endangered” them. The theater gave up and apologized for the “damage”. The show is now available in other cinemas: https://t.co/uziNxyGDfv
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) 21 July 2022
Dave Chappelle fans beware! The show, scheduled for tonight on First Ave, has moved to the Varsity Theatre. Your tickets from First Ave will be counted. Doors open at 20:00 and we strongly recommend that you arrive early.
This event will take place without a phone. pic.twitter.com/khrphPmqZo
— University Theater (@VarsityTheater) 20 July 2022
The cancellation came after Dave Chappelle decided not to name the performing arts theater at his old high school, after students’ backlash. closer. At the final opening ceremony, Chappelle announced that the theater would be renamed “Theatre of Artistic Freedom and Expression” instead.
“These kids don’t realize they are tools of artistic pressure,” Chappelle said at the ceremony. “The more you say that I can’t say something, the more urgently I have to say it.”
At the height of the debate, Chappelle held a Q&A session with 600 students and was met with harsh criticism for being accused of endangering the lives of transgender people and treating critics like “children”. Although the school postponed the opening ceremony, he did not reject his decision to name the theater Chappelle.
“While we appreciate Dave’s drive for improvisation and energetic fundraising, we support our decision to honor our co-founder, the late Peggy Cooper Kafritz’s request to name the theater Chappelle,” the school said in a statement at the time. “All donations will go to arts programs and every donor, whether they support the theater’s name or not, will receive an official commendation from our team.”
Source: Breitbart
