Katt Williamsâ sold-out Alabama show still on, despite icy weather
It’s on. Arena-headlining, headline-making stand-up comedian Katt Williams’ Von Braun Center show tonight is still happening.
After a week of icy weather in Huntsville, a city not accustomed to such conditions, the chance of Williams’s sold-out VBC show being postponed/rescheduled seemed like a possibility.
Earlier today, AL.com received the latest update from the Von Braun Center.
In an email, VBC director of marketing and public relations Samantha Nielsen wrote, “We have spoken with the tour again and they are continuing the show as planned. If that decision changes, we will immediately update on our social media and on the event page on our website.”
Via email, Von Braun Center assistant director Mike Vojticek says when weather is a consideration, “The decision [of whether to continue with a show or not] is discussed between the promoter, the artist’s management and the VBC. We have been monitoring road conditions and discussing them. Ultimately, the final decision is made by the promoter and the artist’s management.”
As far as the VBC’s input on the Katt Williams show’s status, Vojticek says the venue looked at imminent weather issues and current Huntsville area road conditions. Early afternoon today, Huntsville Police Department’s Facebook page indicated conditions on roads including primary artery Memorial Parkway had improved enough to reopen them.
For comedy fans coming to Williams’ VBC show tonight, the Monroe Street parking garage will be open — and the city is not charging for parking tonight in that garage.
The VBC South Hall and Lot V lots are also open for parking. “All of these lots are within a few steps of entering the facility,” Vojticek says.
Some 6,500 tickets have been sold for Williams’ Huntsville performance tonight.
Asked if a sold-out show like Williams impacts the decision to go ahead with a show amid weather considerations, Vojticek says, “The proceeds from ticket sales go to the artist and promoter. The VBC does not retain those proceeds, so I am not sure if the number of tickets sold is considered by the artist’s management or not.”
Vojticek says load-in for Williams show began today at noon, as scheduled. “They have had no road issues in arriving at the arena,” he adds.
An Ohio native, and thus no stranger to wintry weather, Williams has around 12 stand-up TV specials to his credit, including 2022′s “World War III.”
As an actor, he’s appeared in projects ranging from stoner-film sequel “Friday After Next,” animated sitcom “The Boondocks” and larcenous videogame “Grand Theft Auto IV.”
In 2018, Williams won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on FX’s “Atlanta.” Williams, age 52, has also explored music, under the rapper name Money Mike.
Controversy is part of Williams’ persona. There’ve been numerous past arrests and legal disputes. Most recently, Williams went nuclear during an interview on former NFL player/current talking-head Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast.
On Sharpe’s pod, Williams put several entertainers, including Kevin Hart, Rickey Smiley and Tyler Perry, on blast.
In addition to Huntsville’s Von Braun Center, where tickets started at $59 plus fees, Williams’ “The Dark Matter Tour” has two more Alabama stops, Jan. 24 at Birmingham’s BJCC Arena and March 22 at March 22 at the Mobile Civic Center Arena .
AL.com will update this story.
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