Latest news with #KennedyCentre
Telegraph
6 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Kennedy Centre vice-president ‘fired for views on gay people'
The vice-president of the Kennedy Centre claims he was sacked by a gay ally of Donald Trump over his beliefs on homosexuality. Floyd Brown suggested that Ric Grenell, the president of the performing arts centre in Washington DC of which Mr Trump took control after taking office, had been 'intimidated' by a news article which relayed comments he previously made about homosexuality and gay marriage. Mr Brown said in a statement on social media he was threatened with dismissal if he refused to 'recant' his beliefs on homosexuality and that Mr Grenell, who is gay, refused to provide an explanation for his dismissal. But sources close to Mr Grenell have rejected Mr Brown's version of events. Mr Trump moved to take control of the Kennedy Centre soon after returning to office this year, replacing its board members with figures whom critics characterise as loyalists with scant interest in the arts. Sacking 'followed CNN questions' Mr Brown, the founder of the conservative Western Journal website, said he had been recruited as vice-president last month. In a post on social media, he said he was sacked two hours after receiving an email from CNN seeking clarity on his views about traditional marriage and 'homosexual influence' in the Republican Party. According to CNN, Mr Brown has made a series of anti-gay statements over the course of several decades. In 2023, he claimed on a conservative radio programme: 'Homosexuality is a punishment that comes upon a nation that has rejected God. They're debasing themselves and their humanity.' He has also criticised the 'acceptance of the open promotion of the gay lifestyle inside the tent of conservatism'. claimed same-sex marriage is 'godless', and attacked George W. Bush, the former president, for appointing a gay chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). 'It was truly not my intention to offend anyone with my comments,' Mr Brown said in his statement. 'I have never intended to attack or demean any person in my statements, and have always shared the mission of Jesus, striving to love others unconditionally. 'The amazing beauty of the Maga [Make America Great Again] movement is we have people of many different beliefs inside our tent.' Mr Brown claimed he was told he would be sacked if he refused to renounce his beliefs on homosexuality, although it is unclear if he was claiming Mr Grenell delivered this message personally. 'Needless to say, I refused to recant and was shown the door. My beliefs are much more common to Biblical Christianity,' he said. Brown's account labelled inaccurate Mr Brown added: 'My only conclusion is Richard Grenell was intimidated by a CNN story… so he pre-emptively fired me for my Christian beliefs on marriage.' A source familiar with the Kennedy Centre told The Telegraph Mr Brown's social media post was inaccurate. Mr Grenell 'had not met with Brown, did not know him, and was not involved in his hiring', a source told CNN. Mr Grenell is a long-time ally of Mr Trump, serving as ambassador to Germany in the president's first term. His name was floated as a potential secretary of state before Marco Rubio's nomination last year, and he currently serves as presidential envoy for special missions.
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Profits and revenues slump at Riverdance company due to absence of US tour
Post tax profits slumped at the company behind Riverdance last year by 87% to €247,065 due mainly to Riverdance not touring the United States in 2024. New accounts filed by Abhann Productions Ltd show that post tax profits reduced from €1.9m in 2023 to €247,065 in the 12 months to the end of June last. The drop in post tax profits followed revenues declining by €9m or 54% from €16.7m or €7.7m. Commenting on the financial performance, co-founder of Riverdance, John McColgan said: "The main reason for the difference between the two years is because Riverdance did not tour the USA in the year ended 30 June 24." Mr McColgan said that Riverdance 'had another thriving year for the year ended 30 June 2024'. He said: 'In this period Riverdance was in the Gaiety in Dublin for the Summer months with another very successful run. Also in the year Riverdance toured China, Australia and Japan and achieved excellent attendances and standing ovations in all these locations.' It is now 31 years since Riverdance made its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest as the interval act during the 1994 contest in Dublin and Riverdance is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary as a global entertainment touring phenomenon. Revenues are expected to increase sharply in the current year as Riverdance is currently touring the USA and Canada in a tour that commenced in January and is to end inext month. Riverdance is scheduled for another USA tour from January to June 2026 and also plans for a China tour in this period. In the current financial year, Mr McColgan said that Riverdance was in the Gaiety from June to September 2024, Taiwan and Europe last Autumn, and currently in the USA to June. He said: 'In March of this year, Riverdance performed again in the Kennedy Centre in Washington and Radio City in New York to name a few locations and received standing ovations every night.' The strong profits of 2024, 2023 and 2022 follow covid-19 related losses of €1.097m in 2021 and €747,465 in 2020 as a result of the pandemic shutting down the show from March 2020 to September 2021. Moya Doherty is also a co-founder and sits on the board with Mr McColgan and David Orr. Aggregate pay to directors decreased by 31% from €1.8m to €1.24m. The amount owed by the company to the directors last year reduced sharply. Mr McColgan was owed €8,680 compared to €417,182 12 months prior while Ms Doherty was owed €161,006 compared to €594,891 at the end of June 2023. Riverdance usually has two productions touring simultaneously each employing 50 to 55 in cast and crew. The firm's cash funds decreased from €5.34m to €4.17m. Accumulated profits at the end of June last stood at €4.18m. Read More Irish services firm Xeinadin acquires KBG Accountants as €40m investment strategy continues
The Age
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
No one should be surprised by Trump's love-in with Middle East monarchs
Washington: While Donald Trump was shaking hands in the Gulf states – 'more hands than any human being is capable of doing', he said – back home in Washington, the US Department of Agriculture was marking its 163rd birthday. Straddling the great neoclassical columns of the Jamie L. Whitten building are two giant banners: one of president Abraham Lincoln, who created the agency in 1862, and another of – no prize for guessing – Trump. It's difficult to get away from the US president these days. Whether it's the front page of the newspaper, the board of the Kennedy Centre or the facade of downtown buildings, he is everywhere. (Portraying Trump on Saturday Night Live last weekend, James Austin Johnson entered the stage and said: 'Hello, it's me again, invading all aspects of your life'.) The banner, which appeared on Wednesday morning, would not have been out of place in one of the Middle East monarchies the president was visiting – nor, as some commentators noted, in the dictatorship of North Korea. No one should be surprised by Trump's Gulf love-in. From the disdain for democratic checks to a fondness for ostentatious wealth and the mixing of business with politics – not to mention public and private benefit – they are his people, through and through. Indeed, international affairs professor Gregory Gause says when Trump began sending his son-in-law Jared Kushner to handle Middle East peace talks during his first term, Gulf states thought: 'Finally, an American government we can understand.' This trip took the president to Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi. At each stop, the ceremonies were lavish, the pleasantries superlative and the 'deals' eye-watering: $US600 billion ($937 billion) from Saudi Arabia, an 'economic exchange' with Qatar supposedly worth $US1.2 trillion and another $US200 billion squeezed from the United Arab Emirates. Of course, these are not deals – they are memoranda of understanding which may one day yield a deal.
Sydney Morning Herald
16-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
No one should be surprised by Trump's love-in with Middle East monarchs
Washington: While Donald Trump was shaking hands in the Gulf states – 'more hands than any human being is capable of doing', he said – back home in Washington, the US Department of Agriculture was marking its 163rd birthday. Straddling the great neoclassical columns of the Jamie L. Whitten building are two giant banners: one of president Abraham Lincoln, who created the agency in 1862, and another of – no prize for guessing – Trump. It's difficult to get away from the US president these days. Whether it's the front page of the newspaper, the board of the Kennedy Centre or the facade of downtown buildings, he is everywhere. (Portraying Trump on Saturday Night Live last weekend, James Austin Johnson entered the stage and said: 'Hello, it's me again, invading all aspects of your life'.) The banner, which appeared on Wednesday morning, would not have been out of place in one of the Middle East monarchies the president was visiting – nor, as some commentators noted, in the dictatorship of North Korea. No one should be surprised by Trump's Gulf love-in. From the disdain for democratic checks to a fondness for ostentatious wealth and the mixing of business with politics – not to mention public and private benefit – they are his people, through and through. Indeed, international affairs professor Gregory Gause says when Trump began sending his son-in-law Jared Kushner to handle Middle East peace talks during his first term, Gulf states thought: 'Finally, an American government we can understand.' This trip took the president to Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi. At each stop, the ceremonies were lavish, the pleasantries superlative and the 'deals' eye-watering: $US600 billion ($937 billion) from Saudi Arabia, an 'economic exchange' with Qatar supposedly worth $US1.2 trillion and another $US200 billion squeezed from the United Arab Emirates. Of course, these are not deals – they are memoranda of understanding which may one day yield a deal.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Phones, smart watches, and accessories to be locked away for Kevin Hart gig in Dublin
The 3Arena and Aiken Promotions have warned fans that anyone seen using a device during the show will be escorted out. The well-known actor and comic is bringing his stand-up comedy tour, Acting My Age, to Dublin on Tuesday, May 6. 'Kevin Hart at 3Arena is a phone free experience using Yondr,' the 3Arena team said. 'Please note use of phones, smart watches, and accessories will not be permitted in the performance space. 'Upon arrival at the venue, all phones, smart watches, and accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event. 'Guests maintain possession of their devices at all times and can access them throughout the event only in designated Phone Use Areas within the venue. 'All devices will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning to the performance space. 'Anyone seen using a device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue by security.' Emmy and Grammy nominated Kevin Hart was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he launched his career as a comedian during an amateur night at a local comedy club. Over the years he has become a Hollywood box office powerhouse, opening eleven films at number one and grossing more than $4.23bn global revenue. ADVERTISEMENT In 2024, he received the Kennedy Centre's annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy, the 25th recipient and youngest honouree to date. Hart is currently touring with his ninth stand-up special, Acting My Age. His last special, Reality Check, was named the number Comedy Tour of 2022 by Billboard.
