Comic Dave Chapelle Misses Fundraiser for Brooklyn Congressional Hopeful

Posted by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet at 1:32 PM on July 10, 2008.

Comic Dave Chapelle, the much-hyped headliner for Kevin Powell's congressional campaign fundraiser, missed yesterday's event:

Comedian Dave Chappelle disappointed voters and raised doubts about congressional upstart Kevin Powell’s campaign by blowing off the candidate’s highly promoted Wednesday night fundraiser.

The hugely popular comic was the headliner at the $75-and-up fundraiser, but Powell, who is aiming to unseat 13-term incumbent Ed Towns (D–Fort Greene) in the September primary, said Chappelle missed two flights in his effort to get to Manhattan’s hip-hop club, Eugene.

Earlier, Powell had urged the crowd to bear with him, suggesting that the comedian was “on his way.” But as the 700 campaign contributors grew restless and the vast press contingent started asking questions, Powell made his admission that Chappelle actually would not be appearing. He blamed travel mix-ups.

“We were on the phones non-stop with Dave’s management to get him here,” said a contrite Powell, 42, who promised that campaign donors would get into his next celebrity event for free.

Powell also claimed that comedian Chris Rock was actually backstage to show his support for the underdog’s hip-hop-themed campaign , but Rock never took the stage — “out of respect [for] other comedians,” Powell said. [Brooklyn Paper]

Powell is a respected writer, organizer, and activist who is running on a progressive platform against a 13-term incumbent Democrat.

Lindsay Beyerstein a New York writer blogging at Majikthise.