Dave Chappelle headlining fundraiser for Senate hopeful Hill Harper in Detroit

The comedian Dave Chappelle is headlining a show to benefit the campaign of U.S. Senate candidate Hill Harper in Detroit next week, according to an event listing selling tickets online.

The tickets for the July 11 live show at Saint Andrew’s Hall in downtown Detroit are available on the ActBlue site, a fundraising platform for Democrats, and range from $250 for balcony seating to $3,300 for those who want to attend a “VIP reception” with Harper following the show. Under federal rules, $3,300 is the maximum donation that an individual can make to a federal candidate per election cycle.

Harper, an actor and author, is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, facing three-term U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Holly in the Aug. 6 primary election. He’s struggled in fundraising compared to Slotkin, who had over $8.6 million in cash reserves as of March 31.

Harper confirmed Tuesday to The Detroit News that Chappelle is coming to Detroit to help him raise money for the campaign, less than four weeks before the primary. He described Chappelle as an “old friend.”

General admission tickets for the Chappelle comedy show are $500, while the Harper campaign is selling “Gold Circle” tickets for $1,000, according to the ActBlue site.

The event site for the show states that no cellphones will be allowed, and that those who bring a phone will be required to place it in a locked pouch or risk being ejected from St. Andrews Hall on East Congress Street.

Chappelle’s last show in Detroit was in September. His 2021 comedy special, “The Closer,” was filmed at the Fillmore Detroit and was later released on Netflix. The special was criticized for its transgender content, with GLAAD commenting, “Chappelle’s brand has become synonymous with ridiculing trans people.”

Chappelle’s special went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

Staff writer Adam Graham contributed.

mburke@detroitnews.com