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Artists pull performances after venue renaming
Two more musical acts have withdrawn from scheduled performances at Washington's Kennedy Center following its board's decision to include former U.S. President Donald Trump's name in the venue's title.
Jazz band and dance troupe withdraw
The Cookers, a long-standing jazz ensemble, announced the cancellation of two New Year's Eve concerts. In a statement released Tuesday, the group avoided direct mention of Trump or the Kennedy Center, describing their decision as one that "came together very quickly."
Doug Varone and Dancers followed suit, calling off two April performances. The company stated it could "no longer permit ourselves nor ask our audiences to step inside this once great institution" under its new name.
Kennedy Center leadership responds
Richard Grenell, the center's president, dismissed the cancellations as "a form of derangement syndrome." He claimed the artists were "booked by the previous far-left leadership" and accused the prior administration of prioritizing "political activists" over performers.
"Their actions prove that the previous team was more concerned about booking far-left political activists rather than artists willing to perform for everyone regardless of their political beliefs."
Richard Grenell, Kennedy Center President
Artists cite values and history
The Cookers framed their decision in broader terms, emphasizing jazz's roots in "struggle and a relentless insistence on freedom." The band added that they sought to ensure future performances would celebrate "the full presence of the music and everyone in it."
Drummer Billy Hart told the New York Times the name change "evidently" influenced their choice. Folk singer Kristy Lee, who canceled a January show, echoed the sentiment, stating she could not "stand on that stage and sleep right at night" amid what she called an effort to "rebrand" American history.
Legal and family objections
Legal experts and lawmakers argue the renaming may violate a 1964 federal law designating the center as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Some members of the Kennedy family have condemned the move, including former Representative Joe Kennedy III, who called the venue "a living memorial" established by Congress.
"It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says."
Joe Kennedy III, former U.S. Representative
Financial and operational fallout
Earlier this month, the center's board-stacked with Trump allies-voted to rename the institution the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. New signage appeared on the building's exterior the following day.
Grenell has demanded $1 million in damages from jazz musician Chuck Redd, who canceled his annual Christmas Eve performance, calling the move a "political stunt." Redd, a fixture at the venue since 2006, cited the name change as his reason for withdrawing.
