Dave Chappelle to Close New Arena Tour by Opening New York Comedy Festival at Madison Square Garden

Dave Chappelle has a busy fall ahead. The comedian will open the New York Comedy Festival with a November 6 show at Madison Square Garden, and that same performance serves as the final stop of his newly announced arena tour. The run begins October 20 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, then continues through Charlotte, Toronto, Louisville, Austin and Houston before the New York finale. Festival founder Caroline Hirsch called Chappelle one of the defining comedians of his generation and, without qualification, among the greatest stand-ups ever, adding that it’s spectacular he would close his tour by opening her festival.

If you’re planning to attend, know this going in: every date on the tour is phone-free. Devices get locked in Yondr pouches at the door, a Chappelle policy that’s been in place for years to keep unreleased material off social media. The New York presale opens September 15 at 10 a.m. ET, with the general sale following on September 17. The festival lineup also includes Marc Maron, Ilana Glazer and Daniel Sloss, so opening night is just one piece of a stacked week.

Chappelle stayed busy all summer with a June arena run and his sixth annual“Summer Camp”event in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Now he’s capping the year with an MSG finale that doubles as a festival kickoff. Would you go to a show if it meant handing over your phone for the night? Let us know in the comments.