Legendary American comedian Dave Chappelle is set to host a show in Nairobi Kenya on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
The highly anticipated show was sold out barely two hours after the tickets were advertised on Instagram by Punchline Comedy who are the organizers.
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“Punchline Comedy Club Nairobi Presents – The G.O.A.T himself Dave Chappelle Live & Loud in Nairobi Kenya for one unforgettable night of standup comedy,” reads a part of a post by punchline comedy club.
The show will take place at the Louis Leakey Auditorium at the National Museum of Kenya and will feature performances by Chappelle as well as several Kenyan local talents.
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As per the post, the gates would open at 7 pm and the show would commence from 8 pm.
Punchline Comedy Club while announcing the show also informed David Chappelle’s fans details of the show and restrictions to be expected.
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Dave Chapelle No Cellphones, No Video Recorders Policy
According to the organizers, no cellphones, cameras or recording devices would be allowed inside the show.
However, if need be, guests will be allowed to use or access their phones at designated areas.
“No cellphones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at this show. Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches will be secured in Yondr pouches that will be unlocked at the end of the show,” reads part of a post by Punchline Comedy Club.
“Guests maintain possession of their phones throughout the night, and if needed, may access their phones at designated Yondr unlocking stations in the lobby.”
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In the statement, Punchline comedy club noted that anyone caught with a phone in the venue would be removed immediately.
“Anyone caught with a cellphone in the venue will be immediately ejected. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free viewing experience,” the statement added.
Nonetheless, this is not an isolated restriction as the comedian ensures all guests at his shows follow this policy.
Chappelle is known for his ‘no phone’ regulation during his shows with multiple reports indicating that the venture is meant to protect the comedian’s work and ensure that the material is not recorded and distributed without permission.
Much like the upcoming event in Nairobi, the same rule has applied over a number of shows done by the famous comedian.
Also Read: American TV Host Announces Recruitment of Kenyan Comedians to His Show
Chappelle’s Partnership with Yondr
To implement his no-phone policy, Chappelle has partnered with a company called Yondr, whose mission is to create phone-free spaces where genuine connection, focus, and creativity can flourish in the absence of technology.
According to Fox5, at Chappelle’s shows, every phone goes into a lockable neoprene pouch. The patron holds onto the pouch and can only be unlocked by a Yondr team member with a proprietary unlocking mechanism.
Yondr’s director of marketing, Kelly Taylor told Fox5 that the company’s goal was a response to life in the digital age.
“Yondr is a response to life in the digital age, kind of around the amount of time we spend behind screens,” she said.
Additionally, Chappelle was one of the first artists to use the system. However, Taylor noted that Yondr’s popularity is quickly growing with artists like Alicia Keys, Guns N’ Roses and Tracy Morgan joining the phone-free movement.
She further added that the objective to impose the no phone policy was to protect the artists content from leaking online.
“On the one hand it protects their content from leaking online,” Taylor said, “And then there’s also the experiential component, which is that it feels better to perform to a crowd that’s present, engaged, and actually with you in the room instead of on that’s constantly texting or recording you.”
Of note is that David Chapelle’s visit to Kenya will be his first.
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