Latest news with #APeacockAmongPigeons
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kennedy Center Confirms Cancelation of More Than 20 Shows Since Trump Takeover
The post Kennedy Center Confirms Cancelation of More Than 20 Shows Since Trump Takeover appeared first on Consequence. It's been nearly a month since Donald Trump orchestrated a takeover of the Kennedy Center and had himself elected the chairman of its Board of Trustees. In the time since then, more than 20 shows scheduled at the Washington, DC-based venue have either been canceled or been postponed. The list of impacted of events was shared by the Kennedy Center late this week alongside a statement from Roma Daravi, the center's new VP of Public Relations. 'In the spirit of transparency due to the litany of misinformation being spread in the press, it is important to give the public a complete account of program cancellations over the past six months,' Daravi wrote, who added the 'only shows under the Kennedy Center umbrella that we have canceled since February 12th were due to lack of sales or artist availability.' Indeed, each show listed on the center's roundup includes a reason why it was axed, with most reading 'Canceled by artist,' 'Canceled due to low ticket sales,' or 'Canceled for financial reasons.' But looking deeper, it's clear that the changes happening at the Kennedy Center are political in nature. Many of the artists who have distanced themselves from the organization have done so out of protest, including Ben Folds, who resigned from an advisory position last month, and the cancelation of a run of Hamilton, who's producers said they 'cannot presently support' the institution. Further, publications like Deadline have highlighted that several of the shows that were canceled or postponed for 'financial reasons' featured themes that contradict with Trump's conservative vision for American culture, like the vaccine-themed play Eureka Day and the LGBTQ-celebrating adaptation of the story A Peacock Among Pigeons by the National Symphony Orchestra. Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center does still have events coming up, including a reported performance by the J6 Prison Choir, comprised of men previously imprisoned for their involvement in the January 6th United States Capitol attack. Kennedy Center Confirms Cancelation of More Than 20 Shows Since Trump Takeover Jo Vito Popular Posts Jon Stewart Calls Out Elon Musk for Flaking on The Daily Show Interview Faster Pussycat Singer's Fiancée Dies After Falling Overboard on '80s Cruise That Band Was Playing Dead Kennedys Legend Jello Biafra Joins Cavalera Onstage for "Nazi Trumps F**k Off": Watch Gene Hackman and Wife's Causes of Death Revealed Monty Python and the Holy Grail Returning to Theaters for 50th Anniversary Mike Myers Debuts Elon Musk Impersonation in SNL Cold Open: Watch Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kennedy Center shake-up will usher in 'Golden Age of the Arts' under Trump, Ric Grenell previews
The Kennedy Center will usher in the "Golden Age of the Arts" in Washington, D.C., as its new leadership under President Donald Trump plans to roll out productions that will "sell tickets" and appeal to the public, interim Executive Director Richard Grenell told Fox News Digital. "This will be the Golden Age of the Arts," Grenell told Fox News Digital in an exclusive comment on the matter. "The Kennedy Center has zero cash on hand and zero dollars in reserves - while taking tens of millions of dollars in public funds. We must have programs that sell tickets. We can't afford to pay for content that doesn't at least pay for itself right now. I wish we didn't have to consider the costs of production, but we do." "The good news is that there are plenty of shows that are very popular, and therefore the ticket sales will pay for themselves," Grenell added. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts serves as the national cultural center of the U.S. and is now led by President Donald Trump as its chairman, Grenell and its board of trustees. Trump Envoy Richard Grenell Secures Freedom For 6 Americans Following Meeting With Maduro In Venezuela The center came under scrutiny this week as the media and liberal critics spotlighted that a performance by the Gay Men's Chorus and National Symphony Orchestra slated for May as part of Washington, D.C.'s gay pride celebrations was canceled, with critics attempting to tie the cancelation to the Trump administration. The chorus and orchestra were scheduled to perform a show titled "A Peacock Among Pigeons," which is based on an LGBT-themed children's book. Read On The Fox News App Trump Fires Kennedy Center Board Members Citing Drag Shows, Appoints Himself Chairman The performance, however, was put on the chopping block weeks before the center's leadership change and was canceled due to lack of ticket sales, Fox News Digital learned. The center's new leadership has not canceled any shows since taking the reins of the cultural center, a source familiar with the Kennedy Center's operations told Fox Digital. "Artists who have pulled down their shows are only punishing themselves and the patrons. It shows the artists have an intolerance to engage with those of differing opinions. Republicans are patrons, too, they should remember that," the source said of recent left-leaning performers and celebrities who have pulled out of shows. Grenell, who also serves as special presidential envoy for special missions under the second Trump administration, joined the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday, where he pushed back that the production had been canceled over Trump. "Suddenly it was, the Gay Men's Chorus was dropping out because of Trump. That wasn't true," Grenell added. "It was replaced with with some other things, that happens all the time." A production of "The Wizard of Oz" replaced the planned performance of "A Peacock Among Pigeons," the executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra said earlier this week, underscoring that the planned performance had been canceled before the leadership change and was due to financial issues. "Before the leadership transition at the Kennedy Center, we made the decision to postpone Peacock Among Pigeons due to financial and scheduling factors. We chose to replace it with 'The Wizard of Oz,' another suitable program for World PRIDE participation," the orchestra's Executive Director, Jean Davidson, said in a statement earlier this week. Actress Issa Rae Cancels Sold-out Kennedy Center Show After Trump Named Chairman Of Venue "Program changes are a common practice. We were unable to announce the replacement program until we had secured the rights to present it, but in the interest of transparency, we removed the original program from the website to prevent further ticket sales. The Gay Men's Chorus was to be contracted as a guest artist for Peacock Among Pigeons," Davidson added. Grenell previewed during his remarks at CPAC that the Kennedy Center will now focus on performances "the public want to see," such as Christmas-focused productions in December. "We have to do the big productions that the masses and the public want to see, we want to have really good programming," he said. "So the first thing that we're doing … you've got to be at the Kennedy Center in December, because we are doing a big, huge celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas. How crazy is it to think that we're going to celebrate Christ at Christmas with a big traditional production to celebrate what we are all celebrating in the world during Christmastime, which is the birth of Christ." Trump fired a handful of the center's previous board members earlier this month, arguing that they did "not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture." He replaced the former members with 14 other members, including allies such as second lady Usha Vance and "God Bless the USA" singer lee Greenwood. "At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture," Trump posted to Truth Social on Feb. 7. Trump indicated that the motivation behind firing the former board members was due to the Kennedy Center's drag show performances under the Biden administration that targeted children. "Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!" Trump said on Truth Social earlier this month. Top Trump Official Rallies Behind President Amid Backlash For 'Dictator' Attack On Zelenskyy "We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!" he added. The new board elected Trump as chairman on Feb. 12. Trump appointed Grenell – who became the U.S.'s first openly gay cabinet member under the first Trump administration when he served as acting director of national intelligence – as interim executive director amid the board shakeup. "I think the frustration that President Trump had is that the Kennedy Center has no cash on hand, no reserves, and they have been paying for the salaries with the debt reserves, while taking around $40 million of public money," Grenell said at CPAC on article source: Kennedy Center shake-up will usher in 'Golden Age of the Arts' under Trump, Ric Grenell previews
Fox News
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Kennedy Center shake-up will usher in 'Golden Age of the Arts' under Trump, Ric Grenell previews
The Kennedy Center will usher in the "Golden Age of the Arts" in Washington, D.C., as its new leadership under President Donald Trump plans to roll out productions that will "sell tickets" and appeal to the public, interim Executive Director Richard Grenell told Fox News Digital. "This will be the Golden Age of the Arts," Grenell told Fox News Digital in an exclusive comment on the matter. "The Kennedy Center has zero cash on hand and zero dollars in reserves - while taking tens of millions of dollars in public funds. We must have programs that sell tickets. We can't afford to pay for content that doesn't at least pay for itself right now. I wish we didn't have to consider the costs of production, but we do." "The good news is that there are plenty of shows that are very popular, and therefore the ticket sales will pay for themselves," Grenell added. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts serves as the national cultural center of the U.S. and is now led by President Donald Trump as its chairman, Grenell and its board of trustees. The center came under scrutiny this week as the media and liberal critics spotlighted that a performance by the Gay Men's Chorus and National Symphony Orchestra slated for May as part of Washington, D.C.'s gay pride celebrations was canceled, with critics attempting to tie the cancelation to the Trump administration. The chorus and orchestra were scheduled to perform a show titled "A Peacock Among Pigeons," which is based on an LGBT-themed children's book. The performance, however, was put on the chopping block weeks before the center's leadership change and was canceled due to lack of ticket sales, Fox News Digital learned. The center's new leadership has not canceled any shows since taking the reins of the cultural center, a source familiar with the Kennedy Center's operations told Fox Digital. "Artists who have pulled down their shows are only punishing themselves and the patrons. It shows the artists have an intolerance to engage with those of differing opinions. Republicans are patrons, too, they should remember that," the source said of recent left-leaning performers and celebrities who have pulled out of shows. Grenell, who also serves as special presidential envoy for special missions under the second Trump administration, joined the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday, where he pushed back that the production had been canceled over Trump. "Suddenly it was, the Gay Men's Chorus was dropping out because of Trump. That wasn't true," Grenell added. "It was replaced with with some other things, that happens all the time." A production of "The Wizard of Oz" replaced the planned performance of "A Peacock Among Pigeons," the executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra said earlier this week, underscoring that the planned performance had been canceled before the leadership change and was due to financial issues. "Before the leadership transition at the Kennedy Center, we made the decision to postpone Peacock Among Pigeons due to financial and scheduling factors. We chose to replace it with 'The Wizard of Oz,' another suitable program for World PRIDE participation," the orchestra's Executive Director, Jean Davidson, said in a statement earlier this week. "Program changes are a common practice. We were unable to announce the replacement program until we had secured the rights to present it, but in the interest of transparency, we removed the original program from the website to prevent further ticket sales. The Gay Men's Chorus was to be contracted as a guest artist for Peacock Among Pigeons," Davidson added. Grenell previewed during his remarks at CPAC that the Kennedy Center will now focus on performances "the public want to see," such as Christmas-focused productions in December. "We have to do the big productions that the masses and the public want to see, we want to have really good programming," he said. "So the first thing that we're doing … you've got to be at the Kennedy Center in December, because we are doing a big, huge celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas. How crazy is it to think that we're going to celebrate Christ at Christmas with a big traditional production to celebrate what we are all celebrating in the world during Christmastime, which is the birth of Christ." Trump fired a handful of the center's previous board members earlier this month, arguing that they did "not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture." He replaced the former members with 14 other members, including allies such as second lady Usha Vance and "God Bless the USA" singer lee Greenwood. "At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture," Trump posted to Truth Social on Feb. 7. Trump indicated that the motivation behind firing the former board members was due to the Kennedy Center's drag show performances under the Biden administration that targeted children. "Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!" Trump said on Truth Social earlier this month. "We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!" he added. The new board elected Trump as chairman on Feb. 12. Trump appointed Grenell – who became the U.S.'s first openly gay cabinet member under the first Trump administration when he served as acting director of national intelligence – as interim executive director amid the board shakeup. "I think the frustration that President Trump had is that the Kennedy Center has no cash on hand, no reserves, and they have been paying for the salaries with the debt reserves, while taking around $40 million of public money," Grenell said at CPAC on Friday.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gay Men's Chorus of DC Appearance at Kennedy Center Canceled
The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC is responding to the Kennedy Center's decision to cancel their performance with the National Symphony Orchestra following Donald Trump's takeover of the institution and takedown of diversity initiatives. However, the Orchestra says it postponed the show before Trump's leadership takeover. 'We are deeply disappointed with the news that our upcoming Pride performance with the National Symphony Orchestra has been canceled,' the chorus originally wrote in a statement Wednesday. 'We believe in the power of music to educate and uplift, to foster love, understanding, and community, and we regret that this opportunity has been taken away.' More from Rolling Stone Trump's Cultural Power Grab: Why His Kennedy Center Takeover Matters Trump's Takeover of the Kennedy Center Rattles the Music World Low Cut Connie Cancel Kennedy Center Show Over Trump's Takeover The group was set to perform a show titled A Peacock Among Pigeons in time for Pride month but will now play the number as part of WorldPride 2025, which is scheduled for DC in June. 'While we are saddened by the decision, we are committed to this work and to our mission of raising our voices for equality for all,' the Chorus wrote. 'We are grateful to those who have supported us, and we will continue to seek spaces where our voices, our stories, and our music can be heard.' National Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Jean Davidson later clarified to Rolling Stone that the decision not to feature Peacock Among Pigeons happened before Trump's takeover of the Center and was 'due to financial and scheduling factors.' Davidson explained that changing programs was common practice: 'We chose to replace it with The Wizard of Oz, another suitable program for World PRIDE participation.' Davidson explained that the organization was 'unable to announce the replacement program until we had secured the rights to present it, but in the interest of transparency, we removed the original program from the website to prevent further ticket sales.' The Gay Men's Chorus performance is the latest to be canceled since President Trump changed its Board of Trustees and made himself the chairman of the organization this month. The decision has had wide repercussions industry-wide, when Ben Folds said he was stepping down from his role as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra: 'Given the developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,' he wrote on social media. 'Not for me.' Renée Fleming and Shonda Rhimes also resigned from their post, while artists such as Issa Rae and Low Cut Connie pulled their performances and appearances from the venue following the news. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gay Men's Chorus Of DC Reacts To Canceled Kennedy Center Show: 'Deeply Disappointed'
With President Donald Trump taking over the Kennedy Center, don't expect any Pride Month festivities at the performing arts institution. The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) recently shared in a statement they were 'deeply disappointed' to hear about the Kennedy Center's cancelation of A Peacock Among Pigeons, their Pride performance with the National Symphony Orchestra. More from Deadline Kennedy Center Cancels Tour Of Acclaimed Children's Musical 'Finn'; Actors' Equity Calls Decision 'Beyond Appalling' 'Finn' Team Thanks Fans For Support After Kennedy Center Kids Show's Cancelation: 'Determined To Get This Message Out' Fox News And Newsmax Among News Outlets Urging White House To Lift Ban On Associated Press Over Continued References To "Gulf of Mexico" 'We believe in the power of music to educate and uplift, to foster love, understanding, and community, and we regret that this opportunity has been taken away,' the statement read in part. 'While we are saddened by the decision, we are committed to this work and to our mission of raising our voices for equality for all,' they continued. 'We are grateful for those who have supported us, and we will continue to seek spaces where our voices, our stories, and our music can be heard. To that end, we will be performing A Peacock Among Pigeons during our upcoming Choral Festival that is a part of WorldPride 2025.' The CMCW added, 'We will continue to advocate for artistic expression that reflects the depth and diversity of our community and country. We will continue to sing and raise our voices for equality.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gay Men's Chorus of Washington (@gmcwashington) Deadline has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment, following Trump's appointment as the Center's new chairman after he ousted half the organization's board members, whom were nominated by Joe Biden. Since Trump took over, Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of the Kennedy Center, and Issa Rae has canceled a show scheduled for the venue. Meanwhile, Trump has faced backlash from supporters of the Kennedy Center's canceled touring children's musical Finn. Trump previously threatened to make the Kennedy Center 'GREAT AGAIN,' announcing his plan last week to remove those 'who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.' 'We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!' he added. 'Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!' Best of Deadline 'Poker Face' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far 'Paradise' Episode Release Guide: When Are New Episodes Streaming On Hulu? 'The Last Of Us' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far
