Jazz legend Chuck Redd made headlines last week for canceling his planned Christmas jazz concert in direct response to Trump putting his name on the walls, but he’s not the only one.
Lin-Manuel Miranda has cancelled the entire run of the 10-year-anniversary celebration of Hamilton. “Morally, it was not complicated, because the Kennedy Center has historically been a bipartisan birthplace for the best of our nation’s arts. Trump’s administration politicized that when they fired the board and Trump named himself head of it…It was a very easy decision for us to not participate in what that’s becoming.”
Issa Rae cancelled her sold-out show, saying that “unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue.”
Pulitzer Prize-winning folk singer Rhiannon Giddens cancelled her show at the Kennedy Center back in February, saying “I cannot in good conscience play at The Kennedy with the recent programming changes forced on the institution by this new board.”
Peter Wolf, lead singer of the J. Giels band, also cancelled his show at the Kennedy Center “due to the egregious firing of staff by the new administration.”
Low Cut Connie, a Philly-based rock and soul band, cancelled their concert at the Kennedy Center for similar reasons. “I was very excited to perform as part of this wonderful institution’s Social Impact series, which emphasizes community, joy, justice and equity through the arts. Upon learning that this institution that has run non-partisan for 54 years is now chaired by President Trump himself and his regime, I decided I will not perform there,” wrote frontman Adam Weiner on Instagram.
ALL musicians need to boycott the Kennedy Center until Trump gives up control and takes his name off this once-prestigious institution.
Hope you got Kid Rock on speed dial, Donald, because that’s the only musical “talent” you’ll be able to get to play there!
