Béla Fleck cancels upcoming performance at Kennedy Center
Béla Fleck is the latest performer to cancel his upcoming appearance at the Kennedy Center in protest of the recent name change brought about by President Donald Trump‘s takeover of the venue.
Fleck shared the news via social media on January 6th. In a simple statement, he wrote, “I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center.”
He added, “Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music.”
Fleck finished on a hopeful note, sharing, “I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we can together share and celebrate art.”
Trump recently hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, the prestigious annual awards night that recognises individuals for their contributions to American culture.
Following that, lettering appeared on the side of the site which read: “THE DONALD J. TRUMP AND THE JOHN F. KENNEDY MEMORIAL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.”
At the time of the name change, the President of the USA wrote on Truth Social: “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA – ONLY THE BEST.”
As a result, a growing number of musicians and performers have refused to perform at the Kennedy Center. Fleck joins a list of artists, including Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, Rhiannon Giddens, The Cookers, and a touring production of Hamilton.
Additionally, in December, Chuck Redd pulled the plug on this year’s performance of the Kennedy Center’s ‘Jazz Jams’ Christmas concert. In response, Kennedy Center President Rick Grenell has shared that he plans to seek $1 million in damages from Redd over what he calls “this political stunt.”
Elsewhere, the surprise rename has prompted a lawsuit from Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio, who asserts that an act of Congress is required to change the name.
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