Backlash Grows in the Arts Community
Jazz and Dance Performances Canceled
After the Kennedy Center, an iconic cultural and arts venue in Washington D.C., changed its name to the Trump-Kennedy Center, a series of scheduled performances have been canceled amid growing backlash.
The Kennedy Center, an iconic cultural and arts venue in Washington D.C., recently changed its name to the Trump-Kennedy Center. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
On December 30 (local time), The New York Times reported that the jazz septet "Cookers" canceled its New Year's Eve performance scheduled for the 31st.
In a statement, the band emphasized the values of freedom and expression that define jazz, saying, "We will keep our promise to play music that reaches beyond division rather than deepening it." The group's drummer, Billy Hart, told the newspaper that the name change influenced their decision to cancel the performance and expressed concerns about possible retaliation in the future.
The New York-based dance company "Doug Varone and Dancers" also canceled its 40th anniversary performance scheduled for April next year. Artistic director Doug Varone said he expects a loss of about $40,000 due to the cancellation, but stressed that making a moral choice is more important than financial loss.
Previously, a Christmas Eve jazz concert and a performance by folk singer Kristy Lee were also canceled for the same reason. Kristy Lee explained that while the cancellation would impact her livelihood, the cost of losing her integrity would be even greater.
The Kennedy Center recently changed its name to the Trump-Kennedy Center, adding the name of U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision was pushed through by the newly overhauled Kennedy Center board, an initiative led by President Trump as part of his "culture war" against progressive circles following the launch of his second term, and, as expected, it has sparked considerable controversy.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
