Dave Chappelle Walks Out Of Show Early, Here’s What We Know
Dave Chappelle’s second night at Hard Rock Live took an unexpected turn on Wednesday as the acclaimed comedian abruptly walked off the stage during his set. The incident occurred after a member of the audience violated the venue’s no-recording policy by taking a cell phone out of their pocket.
Despite the lack of video footage capturing the incident, multiple media reports have confirmed that Dave Chappelle was visibly displeased and scolded the fan responsible for the disruption. The show, part of a five-night stand at the Seminole Hard Rock between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, left many fans who had paid over $100 for a ticket disappointed.
Hard Rock Live’s website explicitly states in its Frequently Asked Questions section that select events are “device and electronics free, per the artist’s request.” This policy prohibits recording devices, including cellphones, smartwatches, cameras, tablets, laptops, and even, for some reason, fitness trackers. Attendees who purchased tickets to the Dave Chappelle event are required to secure their mobile devices in Yondr neoprene pouches that will be unlocked upon exiting the venue.
The show, titled “It’s a Celebration B!%?#&S!,” is described on the venue’s website as a jubilant recognition of a “golden milestone year” for Chappelle. The description says, “Renowned for his unparalleled wit, razor-sharp commentary, and fearless approach to tackling life’s most absurd moments, Dave Chappelle promises to ignite the stage with his larger-than-life presence.” The only caveat apparently is if a single person in the audience pulls out their phone, Chappelle’s entire jubilant promise would be broken.
This incident isn’t the first time Dave Chappelle’s performances have faced disruptions. In August 2013, during the Comedy & Curiosity Festival in Hartford, Connecticut, the comedian left the stage early due to hecklers.
Additionally, in May of the previous year, Dave Chappelle was attacked onstage at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Despite the assailant possessing a replica gun capable of ejecting a blade, Chappelle was unharmed and continued with the performance. The audience member was subsequently arrested on a felony assault charge.
As of now, the Hard Rock Live venue has not provided an immediate response to the incident or indicated whether the people who paid for a full show will get any sort of refund or credit. It seems rather petty and unprofessional for a performer to leave a set halfway through because a single attendee in a 7,000-person audience pulled out their phone. But this wouldn’t be the first time Dave Chappelle did something controversial.
The comedian has faced increasing criticism for targeting transgender individuals in his jokes, particularly in his Netflix special The Closer. Despite the controversy, Netflix supported him, and he continued touring. However, fellow comedians, fans, advocates, and even some Netflix employees criticized his comments.
However, it doesn’t seem like the backlash has bothered Dave Chappelle at all since he’s still celebrating a “milestone year” according to the description of his show. And even after the cell phone incident, the comedian is scheduled to perform at the 7,000-seat venue inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Broward on Friday and Saturday nights.
Source: Miami Herald
