David Chappelle returned to Dubai to play a gig at the Sheikh Rashid Hall. John Paul Filo / CBS via Getty Images
David Chappelle returned to Dubai to play a gig at the Sheikh Rashid Hall. John Paul Filo / CBS via Getty Images
David Chappelle returned to Dubai to play a gig at the Sheikh Rashid Hall. John Paul Filo / CBS via Getty Images
David Chappelle returned to Dubai to play a gig at the Sheikh Rashid Hall. John Paul Filo / CBS via Getty Images

Review: Dave Chappelle’s Dubai show was brief but on point


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

US comic Dave Chappelle returned to Dubai with a fast moving set laced with observations both socially potent and off-colour.

Tuesday’s show should also cement the UAE as a legitimate touring spot in all of his future world tours.

The show was another success for Chappelle in terms of ticket sales. Just like his two dates at the Skydive Dubai's makeshift stage as part of the Dubai Comedy Festival in 2015, his return to the Emirate was another sell-out with up to 8,000 people packed in the Sheikh Rashid Hall to see a comic at the peak of his powers and fame.

With that comes a certain amount of industry clout which the 45-year-old has uncompromisingly flexed in various ways. One of which is that eye watering 60-million-dollar deal (Dh222.35m) he received from Netflix to exclusively stream a bunch of his specials.

The other was Chappelle’s concert request that all mobile phones to be placed in a lockable pouch before entering the venue (which can be opened via staff outside of the show).

The end result was a UAE concert rarity; not one flashing mobile phone screen punctured the darkness of the hall. The crowd sat in rapt attention as they witnessed a master at work.
Dressed in a purple jumpsuit emblazoned with his initials, his appeal lies being in a laid back host. The key is to make it all looks effortless.

Well tested material is presented as first time observations as Chappelle languidly guided us into the issues that both amuse and concern him. But behind that casual banter is a supreme technician; a confident comic knowing when to cut through the laughs with sharp observations and went to provide levity with some good old fashioned toilet humour.

From the rash of US school shootings to the #MeToo movement, Chappelle gleefully hopscotched his way through a series of hot button topics to land relatively unscathed.

Here are some takeaways from the performance:

America's problematic gun culture

It is out of control, Chappelle states, hence its "good to be in the Middle East where it's safe."

He delved into the topic through the prism of school shootings presently plaguing US society. To underscore the ridiculousness of suggestions by lawmakers that teachers should be armed in classrooms, Chappelle takes us through a group exercise: “Now close your eyes and just picture your English teacher,” he says. “Now, just picture two nine-millimeters in her hands.”

He also questions the logic of putting students through safety drills in preparedness of future incidents: “Aren’t we also training the shooter too?” he asks.

Poverty is a state of mind

One of the key themes of Chappelle’s work over the last two decades is poverty and its effects.

Where his earlier specials, such as 2000s Killin' Them Softly and 2004's For What It's Worth, had Chappelle exploring its detrimental effect on the African-American communities, this time around he looks at how the current opioid epidemic has affected mostly rural white communities across the US.

“It is sad because it reminds me of what the blacks went through, that crack epidemic in the 1980s” he says.

“It really gave me an insight into what white people felt when they saw us going through the scrounge of crack…because I don’t care neither.”

That said, Chappelle says he is empathetic to those under the poverty line. As someone who grew up in a similar environment in Washington D.C, Chappelle describes it as a searing experience that “informs the rest of your life”. He credits his father for teaching him to have hope among the dire living conditions.

In response to Chappelle’s childhood cry that he was sick of being poor, his late father — a former teacher — said: “Dave, you are not poor. Poor is a mentality that many people will never recover from. You are just broke. That’s a present financial circumstance.”

#MeToo Movement

Perhaps because he covered it already in his latest Netflix special Equanimity, Chappelle's musings on the present #MeToo Movement was kept short. Actually, one wondered if that was planned to be part of the set as Chappelle launched into it as a response to a female crowd member shouting out: "Sexism is everywhere."

Chappelle proceeded to address her as he detailed his thoughts on the movement, which he describes as important as it is problematic.

He was heartfelt in detailing how the movement continues to sideline the struggles faced by African-American women in US society. In response to the remarks made by US actress Bette Middler’s statement (although he didn’t mention her by name) that “Women, are the n-word of the world,” Chappelle quizzed whether she “ever heard about black woman?”

Ultimately, he says the movement can only achieve its aim if men are also enlisted to “stand alongside women” and join the fight. As a Muslim, Chappelle invoked the words of the Prophet Mohammed who preached the equality of men and women throughout his life.

Was the show too short?

With the performance clocking in at just over 50 minutes and tickets ranging from Dh300 to Dh1500, some of the disgruntled murmurs heard after the show are justified. But there is no denying that despite the brevity, all the show’s observations and jokes hit hard.

A Chappelle show is now akin to an experience at a Michelin-star restaurant, it is pricey and the portions small, but the flavours and overall execution are flawless.

__________________

Read more:

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Everything you need to know about tickets and the 2018 race weekend

French Montana and Nelly announced for Mad on Yas Island's Formula One 2018 parties

Exclusive: Abu Dhabi F1 after party Amber Lounge will feature DJ Sigala and sparkling crystal theme

It is finally here: Spotify has launched in the Middle East and North Africa

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
McLaren GT specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 620bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh875,000

On sale: now

SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart

if you go

The flights

Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes. 

The car

Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals (more at www.hertz.com/etihad). A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.

The hotels

Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes. 

More info

To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com

 

What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

Allardyce's management career

Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)

Countries (1) - England (2016)

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Mica

Director: Ismael Ferroukhi

Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani

3 stars

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Who is Ramon Tribulietx?

Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role. 

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

War

Director: Siddharth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor

Rating: Two out of five stars 

CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
%3Cp%3EElena%20Rybakina%20(Kazakhstan)%3Cbr%3EOns%20Jabeur%20(Tunisia)%3Cbr%3EMaria%20Sakkari%20(Greece)%3Cbr%3EBarbora%20Krej%C4%8D%C3%ADkov%C3%A1%20(Czech%20Republic)%3Cbr%3EBeatriz%20Haddad%20Maia%20(Brazil)%3Cbr%3EJe%C4%BCena%20Ostapenko%20(Latvia)%3Cbr%3ELiudmila%20Samsonova%3Cbr%3EDaria%20Kasatkina%3Cbr%3EVeronika%20Kudermetova%3Cbr%3ECaroline%20Garcia%20(France)%3Cbr%3EMagda%20Linette%20(Poland)%3Cbr%3ESorana%20C%C3%AErstea%20(Romania)%3Cbr%3EAnastasia%20Potapova%3Cbr%3EAnhelina%20Kalinina%20(Ukraine)%3Cbr%3EJasmine%20Paolini%20(Italy)%3Cbr%3EEmma%20Navarro%20(USA)%3Cbr%3ELesia%20Tsurenko%20(Ukraine)%3Cbr%3EEmma%20Raducanu%20(Great%20Britain)%20%E2%80%93%20wildcard%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE DEALS

Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m

Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m

Ricciardo $35m x 2 = $70m

Verstappen $55m x 3 = $165m

Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m

TOTAL $485m

Neymar's bio

Total club appearances 411

Total goals scored 241

Appearances for Barca 186

Goals scored for Barca 105

RESULTS

6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).

7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
Winner: Mazeed, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)