Dave Chappelle Returns to MVAAFF for Duke Ellington School of the Arts Benefit
- DESA Communications
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
Source: Ebony.com
When Dave Chappelle has been asked about his Washington, D.C. high school, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, he often replies, “The Ellington School saved my life.” The comedian who created the groundbreaking series The Chappelle Show and won the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has much to be grateful for. Now he’s giving back to his beloved public school for the performing arts.
On August 8, the comedic titan will screen a special preview of his documentary Dave Chappelle Live in Real Life as a fundraiser at the 23rd Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. Proceeds from the event will benefit enhancing programming and equipment upgrades at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, as well as establish an endowment for the Theatre Department. A limited number of tickets will go on sale August 6 at MVAAFF.com; additional donations can be made by emailing development@ellingtonarts.org for more information.
At the exclusive screening, another Ellington alumnus, actor Lamman Rucker, will be in attendance. The screening will take place on Friday, August 8, at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in Oak Bluffs.
The documentary, Dave Chappelle: Live in Real Life, tells the backstory of the award-winning comedian’s live stand-up series in the summer of 2020. He famously took the stage, along with a few of his equally famous comedic and artistic friends, in a cornfield down the street from his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The performances were part experimental, sparked by the pandemic’s social-distancing requirements, and part social commentary, fueled by the racial injustice of George Floyd’s murder. Chappelle’s live shows brought economic relief to his community, which had a hand in producing or benefiting from the coveted cornfield concerts.
Chappelle has been a tireless advocate for his alma mater and its namesake. This past April, he hosted the 'Duke at 125' gala, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. He also regularly visits his alma mater.
The Ellington School has turned many of its students into professional artists. Other notable alumni include Ari Lennox, Johnny Gill, Denyce Graves, Corey Hawkins, Clifton Powell, Meshell Ndegeocello, Samira Wiley, Edwina Findley, Michaela Angela Davis and more.
Chappelle’s special screening adds to a blockbuster lineup at this year’s MVAAFF. Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson will tape a live recording of their podcast IMO with Teyana Taylor; Spike Lee will present exclusive clips from his upcoming Denzel Washington project, Highest 2 Lowest; Issa Rae will close out the festival with a screening her docuseries, Seen & Heard; alongside appearances from Jennifer Hudson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Aldis Hodge, Mara Brock Akil, and more.
Visit mvaaff.com for the festival’s full schedule and more ticket information.