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Woke backlash forces Minneapolis venue to cancel Dave Chappelle's show just HOURS before gig

First Avenue's social media was filled with hate comments by people who were disgruntled with Chappelle but reports claim that the venue was sold out

Dave Chappelle's highly anticipated stand-up show in Minneapolis was canceled just hours before its due time, for reasons the venue described weren't up to the "standards". First Avenue, located at 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, and functioning since 1970, immediately called out the social media backlash they received after booking the highly controversial comedian. 

Chappelle's Netflix special 'The Closer' was criticized for its transphobic jokes and First Avenue explained the same aspect in their Instagram post. It read, "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." The statement calls out the 48-year-old comedian's jokes as not up to their standards and the venue apologizes for letting down their audience by booking Chappelle. 

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The statement continued, "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. We know there are some who will not agree with this decision; you are welcome to send feedback." First Avenue's social media was filled with hate comments by people who were disgruntled with Chappelle, but TMZ reported that the venue was sold out pretty quickly.

Now, Varsity Theater in Dinkytown will be hosting the event with two more shows on July 21 and 22. While the show must go on, people couldn't help but troll First Avenue for mentioning freedom of artistic expression in their statement and canceling Chappelle. 

Internet reacts to First Avenue canceling Dave Chappelle

One user trolled the venue by saying, "So the theater was worried about people intentionally buying tickets, intentionally attending the show, and being offended? lol" Another user wrote, "Whenever these institutions respond with something like “we heard you loud and clear!” What they heard were like 10 nutjobs on social media, as opposed to the fans who would’ve packed in the sold out venue, as Chappelle sells out every damn gig he does." 

One Twitter user expressed how, being a part of the gay community, comedians weren't allowed to joke about it saying, "For being part of the gay community they sure seem to be a group of miserable people. It's a shame when comedians can't joke about something that might make others uncomfortable. Nobody's nailing them to the floor or making them buy tickets." Another user wrote, "His show sold out in less than 24 hours. It says people don't give a damn fu#¢ about the emotional hemophiliacs out there who can't understand comedy. Comedy will be offensive in many cases. It's the venue's loss for surrendering to the fragile feelings of these lunatics."

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A Minnesotan took to their Twitter account to explain how Chappelle's comedy skit was not a problem saying, "As a native Minnesotan i can speak for a good chunk of the state when i say we don't agree with the people who complained about the show. So glad he found a new venue in town to perform at". Another user wrote, "Ok so it just got moved what a stupid venue for deciding that instead of doing the event they rather get hate from both sides.. way to make nobody happy"

Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.