Strathmore Center welcomes International Pride Orchestra, Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, after Kennedy Center cancels
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — There's a new venue for one highly anticipated performance for World Pride.
The International Pride Orchestra will perform at the Strathmore Music Center after they say they were disinvited from the Kennedy Center.
Leaders at Strathmore say they're excited for the orchestra to be performing in June. They say it's part of their mission to make the arts accessible for everyone.
A week's worth of events celebrating the LGBTQ community was cancelled at the Kennedy Center after recent actions by President Trump to reshape programming in line with his agenda.
Kennedy Center cancels Pride performance featuring Gay Men's Chorus of Washington
'We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,' said Michael Roest, Founding Artistic Director of IPO. 'The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us.'
The International Pride Orchestra said their concert is designed to showcase LGBTQ+ artists, allies, and drag performers from around the world.
'We are really excited that we have the space available and are able to host the event,' said Kady Chambers, senior director of venue rentals and operations at Strathmore.
Chambers said the National Philharmonic Orchestra helped facilitate the venue change.
'It doesn't matter who you are, where you came from, what your background is, your sexual orientation, your religion, your race. None of that matters. The art on the stage here, you know, really takes away those divides. And it brings us all together,' Chambers said.
The orchestra will be joined on stage by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. (GMCW).
WorldPride DC organizers share concerns for transgender travelers
GMCW Artistic Director Thea Kano said they were disappointed they couldn't perform at the Kennedy Center but incredibly moved by the outpouring of support for the community.
'We are grateful to Strathmore for stepping forward as a partner who shares our commitment to bold, inclusive performance and LGBTQ+ visibility,' Kano said. 'This concert is a powerful celebration of identity, resilience, and joy. Taking the stage at Strathmore for WorldPride is an honor, as well as a powerful moment of pride and community for Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C.'
'We're ready for them, and we're ready for… all of the visitors that will come as part of this event,' said Drew Martorella, vice president of operations at Strathmore.
DC News Now asked if there were any more World Pride events scheduled, as other performances were canceled or voluntarily moved from the Kennedy Center.
'Not specifically World Pride,' Chambers said. 'We do have some continuing conversations going on.'
The International Pride Orchestra and Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., perform at Strathmore on June 5 at 7:30 p.m. You can find more information
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