Duke Ellington School of the Arts on the Vineyard w/ Alumni Dave Chappelle and Lamman Rucker

Thanks for your interest in attending An Evening with Dave Chappelle—a sneak peek at his upcoming comedy special with an introduction by Dave.

The first two shows are SOLD OUT. Please check back on Saturday at 12 noon, as additional tickets may become available.  

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday, Aug 15 · 8 PM · The Strand Theater
An Evening with Dave Chappelle — a sneak peek at his upcoming comedy special with an introduction by Dave.

Sponsors | VIP|Donor Levels Invited to 8pm Show (Must be on Guest list for attendance)

General Admission Showtime at 10pm -  Price: $175

Questions contact Roni Martin @ (646) 713-9327

BONUS: Worldwide Access Pass · Valid one year
The Vineyard weekend opens the celebration; this is its national encore. Your pass gives you and your guests premium seating at Dave Chappelle's upcoming DESA benefit concert in the school's home city of Washington, DC, or any live Chappelle show promoted in the U.S. or abroad within one year of issue. * Proceeds benefit DESA.

*A Worldwide Access Pass admits the holder and guests to Dave Chappelle's upcoming DESA benefit concert in Washington, DC, or any Chappelle show promoted in the U.S. or abroad within one year of issue. At levels that include more than four passes, they may be used for a single show or split across several, subject to availability and confirmation. Passes are allocated, non-transferable, and non-refundable. VIP after-show passes are included at the Luminary level and above; access is 21+, requires a separate credential, and is capacity-limited. Travel and accommodations not included. Charitable benefit: the tax-deductible portion excludes the fair-market value of tickets, hospitality, and access.

Fifty years ago, DESA was built on a bold idea: a young artist's talent should never be limited by their circumstances. For one weekend this August, alumni Dave Chappelle and Lamman Rucker headline a celebration of the school that shaped them. You're invited to help us write the next fifty.

Impact. Endowed programming, training, and resources for the next generation of creatives: the arts programs public funding doesn't cover.
Access. Exclusive events with Chappelle, Rucker, and friends: a private brunch, culturally defining conversations, student short films, a silent auction, music, and comedy.

SPONSOR & DONOR LEVELS

Maestro — $100,000 · Title Partner Tax-deductible: ~$80,000 
COMMITTED:  RESORTS WORLD NEW YORK

The one who leads the whole ensemble. As title partner, you set the tempo for Ellington's next fifty years and for every young artist who rises within them.

• 16 tickets to the Friends of Ellington Brunch with hosted by actor Lamman Rucker with special guests Dave Chappelle · Aug. 11 (includes meet-and-greet and photo with hosts)
• 16 VIP tickets to Hush Harbor: An unfiltered conversation with D-Nice and Dave Chappelle + Afterparty · Aug. 12
• 16 tickets to An Evening with Dave Chappelle—a sneak peak at his upcoming comedy special with an introducton by Dave  · Aug. 15
• 8 Worldwide Access Passes (valid one year) to a live Dave Chappelle show, including the upcoming DESA benefit concert in DC (may be split across shows)
• Presenting billing on signage & website, recap video, merchandise & impact report, on-stage acknowledgment as an endowment funder

Virtuoso — $75,000. Tax-deductible: ~$60,000
Mastery in service of what comes next. Your partnership powers the training, mentorship, and stages where the next generation finds its brilliance.

• 12 tickets to Friends of Ellington Brunch with hosted by actor Lamman Rucker with special guests Dave Chappelle 
• 12 VIP tickets to Hush Harbor: An unfiltered conversation with D-Nice and Dave Chappelle + Afterparty · Aug. 12
• 12 An Evening with Dave Chappelle — a sneak peak at his upcoming comedy special with an introducton by Dave · Aug. 15
• 6 Worldwide Access Passes (valid one year) to a live Dave Chappelle show, including the upcoming DESA benefit concert in DC (may be split across shows)

Visionary — $50,000. Tax-deductible: ~$38,000
Seeing what a young artist can become, and giving them the vision, resources, and belief to get there.

• 10 tickets to Friends of Ellington Brunch with hosted by actor Lamman Rucker with special guests Dave Chappelle 
• 10 VIP tickets to Hush Harbor: An unfiltered conversation with D-Nice and Dave Chappelle + Afterparty · Aug. 12
• 10 An Evening with Dave Chappelle — a sneak peak at his upcoming comedy special with an introducton by Dave   · Aug. 15
• 4 Worldwide Access Passes  (valid one year) to a live Dave Chappelle show, including the upcoming DESA benefit concert in DC (may be split across shows)

Luminary — $25,000. Tax-deductible: ~$16,000
A guiding light for the next generation of Ellington artists, illuminating the path from raw talent to true mastery.

• 8 tickets to Friends of Ellington Brunch with hosted by actor Lamman Rucker with special guests Dave Chappelle 
• 8 VIP tickets to Hush Harbor: An unfiltered conversation with D-Nice and Dave Chappelle + Afterparty · Aug. 12
• 6 An Evening with Dave Chappelle — a sneak peak at his upcoming comedy special with an introducton by Dave  · Aug. 15
• 3 Worldwide Access Passes (valid one year) to a live Dave Chappelle show, including the upcoming DESA benefit concert in DC 
• VIP after-show passes included (Luminary and above)

Trailblazer — $10,000. A portion of your gift is tax-deductible* 
Clearing the path so young talent can rise and reach a stage that once seemed out of reach.

• 6 tickets to Friends of Ellington Brunch with hosted by actor Lamman Rucker with special guests Dave Chappelle 
• 6 VIP tickets to Hush Harbor: An unfiltered conversation with D-Nice and Dave Chappelle + Afterparty · Aug. 12
• 6 An Evening with Dave Chappelle — a sneak peak at his upcoming comedy special with an introducton by Dave · Aug. 15
• 2 Worldwide Access Passes to a live Dave Chappelle show, including the upcoming DESA benefit concert in DC 

Champion — $5,000   A portion of your gift is tax-deductible* 
Standing behind the students who are shaping culture's next chapter.

• 2 tickets to Friends of Ellington Brunch with hosted by actor Lamman Rucker with special guests Dave Chappelle 
• 4 VIP tickets to Hush Harbor: An unfiltered conversation with D-Nice and Dave Chappelle + Afterparty · Aug. 12
• 2 tickets to An Evening with Dave Chappelle — a sneak peak at his upcoming comedy special with an introducton by Dave · Aug. 15

Patron — $2,500.  A portion of your gift is tax-deductible* 
For everyone who believes every young artist deserves a stage.

• 2 VIP tickets to Hush Harbor: An unfiltered conversation with D-Nice and Dave Chappelle + Afterparty · Aug. 12
• 2 tickets to An Evening with Dave Chappelle — a sneak peak at his upcoming comedy special with an introducton by Dave  · Aug. 15

Friend — $500 **
Every great artist starts with someone who believed. Be that friend at the very beginning.

• 1 VIP tickets to Hush Harbor: An unfiltered conversation with D-Nice and Dave Chappelle + Afterparty · Aug. 12
• 1 An Evening with Dave Chappelle — a sneak peak at his upcoming comedy special with an introduction by Dave · Aug. 15

Your support builds what comes next.

Proceeds benefit the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Endowment Fund—securing the school's future for generations—along with underwriting the arts and wellness programs and resources that make an Ellington education extraordinary.

Can't join us on the island? Your support still matters.

Let's build the next 50 years together. Whether you join us on the Vineyard or from afar, you're funding the next chapter of an American cultural institution. Sponsorships are limited and by invitation.

Contact: Veronica Martin (Executive Assistant to Principal Sandi Logan/Colloborative Projects Manager) for any questions:

vmartin@ellingtonarts.org  | (646) 713-9327 | www.ellingtonarts.org

*Tax-deductible amounts are estimates based on the fair-market value of benefits received; your written acknowledgment will confirm the exact figure. Please consult your tax advisor. DESA is a 501(c)(3) organization.

**No deductible line — its benefits meet the gift value