A growing number of artists are canceling performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, following a recent decision by its board to rebrand the venue as “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” The cancellations began earlier this month with jazz musician Chuck Redd and have continued into the new year, now impacting New Year’s Eve performances.
Artist Protests Mount
The latest cancellations involve a pair of New Year’s Eve concerts scheduled to be performed by the jazz supergroup The Cookers. The New York Times reported the group’s decision, citing concerns over the venue’s new name. Drummer Billy Hart stated the name change “evidently” factored into their decision, and expressed worry about potential repercussions.
Saxophonist Billy Harper, also of The Cookers, publicly stated on Facebook he would not perform at a venue representing “overt racism and deliberate destruction of African American music and culture.” He invoked the legacies of jazz musicians Max Roach, Randy Weston, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Stanley Cowell in explaining his decision.
Broader Impact
The Cookers are not alone in their protest. Doug Varone and Dancers have canceled a performance scheduled for April, and folk singer Kristy Lee has withdrawn from a mid-January show. Other artists, including Rhiannon Giddens, Ben Folds, and Renée Fleming, have also severed ties with the Kennedy Center. A touring production of Hamilton will no longer be staged at the center.
The Cookers emphasized the historical context of jazz, stating it was “born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are artists canceling performances at the Kennedy Center?
Artists are canceling performances in protest of the Kennedy Center’s recent name change to “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
Which artists have canceled performances?
So far, Chuck Redd, The Cookers, Doug Varone and Dancers, Kristy Lee, Rhiannon Giddens, Ben Folds, Renée Fleming, and a touring production of Hamilton have all canceled performances.
What was the Kennedy Center’s response to Chuck Redd’s cancellation?
Kennedy Center president Rick Grenell announced he would seek $1 million in damages from Chuck Redd, deeming his cancellation a “political stunt.”
As the Kennedy Center navigates this period of protest, it remains to be seen whether further artists will withdraw their performances and what long-term impact these decisions will have on the venue’s reputation and financial stability.
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