The Cities Blog

Dave Chappelle surprise show in Minneapolis tonight


Chappelle performs in 2006 (Creative Commons image courtesy of Matias3000)

Comic David Chappelle walked away from a successful Comedy Central television show in 2005. Since then, Chappelle has done some sporadic gigging at comedy clubs and theaters, but mostly maintained a low profile. But with one day notice, the State Theatre announced Wednesday that Chappelle will perform in Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 9 p.m. Tickets were $68.41 (including fees) through Ticketmaster. [Update: It already sold out.] The State Theatre directed my questions about whether tickets are still available to booker Live Nation Concerts, who didn't immediately respond. But this isn't Chappelle's first surprise show. The comic made a pop-up appearance in Portland, Ore., last weekend. The Oregonian writes that the show lasted about two-and-a-half hours. During the Portland show, Chappelle said he's been playing gigs while riding motorcycles around the country with friends. "You could have seen me coming," Chappelle told the Portland crowd. Chappelle then popped over to Eugene, Ore., where he sold out the McDonald Theatre. In Eugene, Chappelle's booker told the theater's owner that they were having bus trouble. The owner didn't know if that was a joke. But the week before those shows, Chappelle was spotted in Fortuna, Calif. He again told people he was on a motorcycle trip, according to The Humboldt County Journal. Chappelle told an actor he met at a California coffee shop: "I'm just taking my time and making my way up north as I find myself." Get ready, Thunder Bay.