Dave Chappelle brings laughter, community at new comedy venue
It was a bad night to be Brian Housh, but a good night to be Dave Chappelle.
Yellow Springs’ most famous – or depending on your take on some of his feelings about certain communities and politicians, infamous – resident performed two sold out shows this week at the YS Firehouse. The YS Firehouse is the former Miami Twp. Fire Station on Corry Street, a mere few blocks away from his Chappelle Shop where dedicated fans can (and have) buy the comic’s merchandise in droves.
In much the same manner of his shows during the pandemic, entry into the YS Firehouse came with several rules that can make you feel like you’re entering a secret comedic society. Patrons paying the $90 ticket entry (before fees) were advised to leave all phones, smart devices, purses and anything else that could house a recording device in the car. Yondr bags and a coat check ensured none of the evening’s affair would be transmitted without Chappelle’s OK, the release form notifying all those entering the show would be recorded, however, by Chappelle’s team. Where that footage ends up remains to be seen; what was clear, however, was everyone in attendance was there to see what would transpire.
Chicken wings and french fry baskets were available just outside the venue courtesy of Let’s Eat Food Truck, which, based on constant presence of both inside the showroom, apparently lives up to its motto that it’s “food be slappin’.” It was clear aesthetics were carefully considered in the construction of what looked to be the 200-250 seat venue. As opposed to traditional tables, the inside of the YS Firehouse featured rows of chairs arranged in an elongated “C” shape around the stage, perhaps in honor of the venue’s owner. The natural brick gave the building a fancy lodge feel, the lighting and wood floor working in concert to create exactly what Chappelle wanted: A vibe where all those in attendance felt like they were part of the coolest party in town.
With DJ Fatty Lumpkin spinning classic golden era hip-hop pre-show – it’s hard to imagine another Ohio venue where Grand Puba and Camp Lo receive extended playtime in 2024 – the building was abuzz upon entry. As the clock rolled past 8 p.m., stagehands began taping down cords and cables; a woman brought two stools on stage, one featuring the comedian’s signature pack of cigarettes and an ashtray he would remember he could use later in the show.
Despite all pre-show’s hush-hush nature, Wednesday night’s show didn’t feel anything like a secret society akin to Katt Williams recently alluded to on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast. Chappelle would, however, mention the Ohio native/cornfield show alumni several times throughout the night.
Taking the stage just before or right at 8:30 p.m., Chappelle swiftly maneuvered through a litany of topics hosting the show, doing time before introducing the night’s three other performers. In addition to Williams, topics included Chappelle’s purchase of Yellow Springs property, Donald Trump … And the debut of a Chewbacca-like voice for a specific segment of a community that has voiced displeasure with him. The events leading up to/following the aforementioned Yellow Springs council member’s removal as Village President would bear the brunt of the comic’s vitriol Wednesday night, Chappelle at one point (genuinely?) apologizing for the repeated blows.
It was one of a few moments of the night that makes the comedian so conflicting for some: While the laughs came fast and furiously from the audience, determining the line between what is simply joke fodder and his true feelings about Housh might still be blurred for Chappelle himself. Would anything Chappelle said Wednesday change his critics’ thoughts about him? Probably not. Was it clear to anyone in attendance that he can be a comedic powerhouse in his element? Most definitely.
While some in attendance were clearly hoping for quote-unquote “big” name comics to round out the evening’s bill, those concerns were alleviated as the night played out. DJ Cipha Sounds – who is quick to let you know he’s “very famous in New York” – has clearly dedicated himself to stand-up comedy as much as he did hip-hop during his days on WQHT-FM “Hot 97.” At times, Sounds’ set almost felt like watching a developing version of a young Chappelle himself, especially when re-assuring all the straight white males in attendance he knows they’ve had it rough.
Connecticut native and BET/TV One alumni Marshall Brandon would take the stage next, weaving intricate wordplay with stories about sex, parenting, family and relationships. While Sounds brought a high energy model to the stage, Brandon was much more of a relaxed orator, delivering jokes in a way that felt like Bob Newhart-meets-Franklin Ajaye-with-just-a-touch-of-middle-finger attitude underneath.
Closing out 
Wednesday’s show was musical guest Issa Ali, engaging the crowd in traditional block party fashion with two songs, “Levels to This” and “Clap to This.”
The building with the big “C” on its side in the heart of downtown Yellow Springs has now opened for business. Wednesday night’s sold out affair would seem to make a strong case it may be for quite some time.
Heywood Banks is simply one-of-a-kind, almost impossible to describe, with a style his very own. Equal parts genius and buffoon, this songwriter-comic-singer-poet-musician has become a cult hero and a pop icon, with a show that appeals to college students, stoners, businessmen, yuppies, rednecks, punks, kids or your grandmother.
Renowned comedian 
Calling all Dayton (and surrounding area) comics! Registration is now open for the annual Wiley’s Fireworks competition! Your best five minutes could win you $1000 and spectacular bragging rights. Shows will take place June 24-26 at Ohio’s oldest Comedy Club, which just celebrated it’s 40th anniversary in April.
Gabriel Iglesias is one of America’s most successful stand-up comedians performing to sold-out concerts around the world. He is also one of the most watched comedians on YouTube with over half a billion views and has over 24 million fans across social media.
Grammy and Emmy Award winning comedian, actor, director, writer and producer, Chris Rock has announced the “Ego Death World Tour”, his first in 5 years. The 38-date North American leg of the tour kicks off April 2nd in Atlantic City and includes a stop at Taft Theatre in Cincinnati on Thursday, June 9th.
Comedian Donnell Rawlings, aka Ashy Larry, will perform one show at Wiley’s Comedy Club in the Oregon District on Thursday, September 9th. He’ll be working on perfecting his material for his upcoming Netflix special he’ll be taping at the end of the month. Donnell is He is best known as a cast member on the Comedy Central sketch comedy TV series Chappelle’s Show and the HBO drama The Wire. He spent most of last summer in the cornfields of Yellow Springs at Camp Chappelle.
Two of the newest cast members from Nick Cannon’s MTV Wild’N Out show are set to stop their tour in Dayton, Ohio next month. On the Dayton tour will be Jay “Lil JJ” Lewis and Mope Williams. They are coming Wiley’s Comedy Club in Dayton, this Friday, August 20, 2021 with an 8pm show and 2 shows on Saturday, 7:15 and 9:30pm. Tickets are $20 plus a 2 item minimum purchase in the showroom. Wiley’s offers a full bar and a menu of appetizers and desserts. Guests must be 18 or over with proper ID.
Born in San Francisco, Schneider’s family is of Filipino and Caucasian descent. His father was Jewish and his mother Catholic. His mixed background has been a common theme in his comedy acts. Schneider started his stand-up career in high school opening for the popular San Francisco band “Head On,” and was a regular guest on local radio. An opening slot for Dennis Miller garnered him an appearance on the HBO’s “13th Annual Young Comedians” special also hosted by Miller. The special led him to a coveted position as a writer for SNL in 1988. Schneider swiftly moved from a writer and featured player to a full cast member with a cast that included Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade and the late Chris Farley.
After leaving SNL in 1994 Schneider went to roles in film and television including a starring role in the NBC sitcom “Men Behaving Badly,” and starring roles in the feature films DEUCE BIGALOW: MALE GIGOLO, THE ANIMAL, THE HOT CHICK, DEUCE BIGALOW: EUROPEAN GIGALOW, and THE BENCHWARMERS.
on season 12 of NBC’s hit series, AMERICA’S GOT TALENT (2017) where he made it to the final rounds. Based off his stellar performance in season 12 Preacher was invited to compete on AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: THE CHAMPIONS (2019) and BRITAN’S GOT TALENT: THE CHAMPIONS (2019) where he advanced to the finale after he received the most votes from the fans. Preacher was the host of the Facebook Watch series WORLD’S MOST AMAZING DOGS (2019) with George Lopez and Lisa Vanderpump and has built a following on YouTube of over 500,000 subscribers. In 2019 Preacher shot his first stand-up special which premiered on BET+ and continues to perform at sold-out venues around the country. Currently, Preacher can be seen starring in the NBC series CONNECTING and as a judge on the new Nickelodeon competition show UNLEASHED!
Ever though about doing improv comedy? Well here’s your chance. Comedian Karen Jaffe will be leading a Short Form Improv class starting this Sunday from noon -2pm. This eight week course will end with a final public performance in late March/early April – date tba.
Your instructor, Karen Jaffe, has been making people laugh since the age of six, when she punched an actor from Sesame Street LIVE in a rather sensitive area in front of a theater full of people. However, she didn’t think about making people laugh on purpose until she studied improv at The Second City Conservatory in Chicago. After Chicago, she moved back to her hometown of Dayton, Ohio and tried stand up for the first time. An unnamed number of years later, she is still doing stand up in clubs and venues all over the US and Canada, and she teaches improvisational comedy to stand up comics. Her podcast, “Everybody Dies,” is available on 
It’s been two years since comedian Louis CK admitted in the New York Times that the 