Culture

Dave Chappelle at Portland's Pioneer Square

by Rob Walker | July 15, 2009 at 06:12 am

791 views | 4 Recommendations | 3 comments

Fans of comedy in Portland got a treat last night when Dave Chappelle showed up at Pioneer Square for an impromptu show.

Chappelle was hanging out in Portland when he told fans he would move from his hotel to Pioneer Square. Dave Chappelle arrived at the jam-packed square just before 1am, but there was only one small speaker, which made it hard for the 8,000 to 12,000 people who had arrived to hear him.

Chapelle disappeared for a while and came back with bigger speakers and amps. He left the square shortly before 2am.

Chappelle arrived at around 12:53 a.m., according to Oregon Live, though unfortunately, few actually heard anything he said because he only came equipped with a tiny amplifier. Chappelle repeatedly praised the peaceful crowd for coming out, cracking a few jokes about the chaotic scene around him, including people (in various stages of undress) congregating up on rooftops at the square.

Primarily, before heading towards Pioneer Square, Dave Chappelle cracked jokes with his fans outside Heathman Hotel in downtown Portland.

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Made In Oregon! (not verified)

at 08:12 on July 15th, 2009

I was their last night, all he had a was a small amp.. he left at 2:15am by police escort. but it was a night that thousands will remember..

Lmavis (not verified)

at 10:56 on July 15th, 2009

i believe the numbers are a bit exaggerated on this page. the numbers present had to be closer to the 4 to 6 thousand range. no more. Dave is a great guy to show up under the pressure like that with a 40 wat amp