During a recent appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, comedian Dave
Chappelle admitted that he wasn’t having much fun with his hit Comedy
Central program. But before the blues got him down, Chappelle shot a film
that demonstrates exactly why he’s one of comedy’s most gifted
entertainers. Dave Chappelle’s Block
Party depicts the comedian at the height
of his game, playing ringmaster to a variety of musical groups that he
brings together for an outdoor party, the purpose of which is to generate a
positive vibe among the performers, their audience and the surrounding
community. Put together seemingly on the fly, Block Party cuts back and forth
between moments from this grassroots gathering and Chappelle’s
efforts to pull it all together. The comedian is seen handing out
“golden tickets” to various people in and around Dayton, Ohio,
near where he and his family live. He approaches people of various races
and social lifestyles, inviting parole officers, senior citizens, cutters
in barbershops, and even the middle-aged white woman who works at the
convenience store he frequents. The ticket not only ensures that
they’ll get into the party, which is being held on a side street in
Brooklyn, but provides its bearer with transportation and lodging as well. The party itself, featuring a roster of activist
rappers and musical groups, doesn’t so much call attention to the
injustices of the world as it proves a testament to faith in God and
oneself and the power of hard work and positive thinking. Kanye West, Mos
Def, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott all contribute anthems, and the various
groups, including Dead Prez and the Fugees (who reunited just for this
film), perform to such heights that you shouldn’t be surprised if you
break out in goosebumps. Though the music is compelling, the film does begin
to wane a bit as it devotes more time to these artists. The sheer force of
Chappelle’s personality is such that these proceedings can’t
help but drag when the comedian is offscreen too long. A smile instantly
appears on your face whenever he pops up as you eagerly wait to hear what
will come out of his mouth next. Whether acting like a pimp in a clothing
store while modeling a garish outfit, doing a call-and-response routine of
one-liners with Mos Def on the drums, or simply rattling off impromptu
jokes with the band, Chappelle has the crowd in the palm of his hand. In the end, Block Party is a life-affirming event that proves that harmony among
all people is possible.
This article appears in Feb 23 – Mar 1, 2006.
