Artists cancel performances after Kennedy Center renaming sparks controversy

Musicians, theater companies, and dance troupes have withdrawn from upcoming events scheduled at the center

A growing number of artists have canceled performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, following the decision to add Donald Trump’s name to the building, effectively renaming the iconic venue.

The move has drawn criticism from performers and cultural figures, who argue that the renaming politicises the institution and undermines its mission as a nonpartisan national arts center.

Musicians, theater companies, and dance troupes have withdrawn from upcoming events, citing concerns about performing in a venue that no longer solely honors President John F. Kennedy.

Jazz musician Chuck Redd canceled his annual Christmas Eve “Jazz Jam” after more than two decades of performances, and groups including The Cookers and Doug Varone and Dancers have also pulled out of scheduled concerts and shows.

Folk singer Kristy Lee called the renaming “a rebranding for somebody else’s ego” and said she could not reconcile performing there.

The controversy stems from changes to the Kennedy Center board, which now includes several Trump allies, and the subsequent decision to place the former president’s name on the building.

Critics argue that this violates the center’s founding purpose, which was to honor the legacy of John F. Kennedy, and has led to resignations from long-standing advisers and collaborators.

Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell, a Trump ally, defended the renaming and downplayed the cancellations, framing them as politically motivated. He has stated that new performers are willing to appear and even suggested potential legal action against some who pulled out of shows.

The dispute has sparked broader debates over political influence in national cultural institutions and the role of artists in taking a stand on issues that affect their work and the integrity of the venues where they perform.