Washington, DC

(Washington, DC) – This weekend, Emmy and Grammy Award winning screenwriter, television and film producer and actor, Dave Chappelle returns to Washington, DC. The comedy icon will appear at two notable District venues this weekend, The Anthem at The Wharf and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 2017, Mayor Bowser presented Dave Chappelle with the Key to the City, the highest honor an individual can receive in the District.

“DC is open and we are so proud to welcome home Dave Chappelle,” said Mayor Bowser. “Washingtonians have waited months to be able to enjoy shows like this one again, and it makes it even sweeter to be able to reopen one of our favorite venues with a performance from one of the world’s most beloved comedians and a DC native, Dave Chappelle.”

Chappelle will perform at The Anthem on Friday, July 30, 2021 at 8 pm, the performance venue that anchors The Wharf on DC’s Waterfront. His headlining appearance will be the first live public event at The Anthem since March 2020 and his performance will effectively and officially reopen the venue.

“We couldn’t be more excited that Dave Chappelle is coming home to reopen the Anthem and to appear at the Kennedy Center as yet another statement that DC is Open,” said John Falcicchio, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. “From Thievery Corporation and The Backyard Band reopening the Entertainment & Sports Arena to Tiesto and Shaq spinning at Echostage and The Eagles & Marc Anthony queued up at Capital One Arena, DC isn’t missing a beat on reestablishing itself as a capital of live entertainment and nightlife.”

Chappelle, who attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts, will also host a screening of his untitled documentary film at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. Fueled by the murder of George Floyd and unable to perform across the country, the film follows Chappelle as he provides the community he now calls home with two things desperately needed in difficult times – economic and comic relief.

“#DCisOpen, and we are excited to have Dave Chappelle our native son back home to perform live, raise the roof with laughter at The Anthem and light up the big screen at the Kennedy Center,” said Angie M. Gates Director of the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, and Co-Chair of Mayor Bowser’s ReOpen DC Faith, Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Sports and Hotels Committee Advisory Group.

In line with District requirements, masks will be required at both The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and at The Anthem. For more information on the city’s upcoming events and experiences, please visit washington.org.