Latest news with #PrideCelebrationConcert
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
World Pride event organizers change venues after Trump's Kennedy Center takeover
Several LGBTQ+ pride events to be held as part of Washington, D.C.'s World Pride celebrations in May and June have been relocated from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The affected events include an International Pride Orchestra concert, a drag story hour and Pride-related art exhibits, including one featuring panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The Associated Press was the first to report on the changes. Event organizers say some were moved after the Kennedy Center informed them that it would not move forward with contracts to host them, while others were moved proactively after President Donald Trump abruptly fired several members of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees in February and made himself chairman. The president wrote in a Truth Social post at the time, 'Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP.' Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance, a group that is one of the main organizers of World Pride, described the post as the 'writing on the wall' that prompted his group to move the gatherings it planned to host at the Kennedy Center elsewhere. 'The Kennedy Center, as an arts and cultural institution, this is a type of space that has been a safe haven for our communities from the dawn of time,' Bos told NBC News, adding that Trump's message 'goes counter to what pride is about.' Now, the group's programming will take place at its World Pride Welcome Center in downtown Washington. Another event — the International Pride Orchestra's Pride Celebration concert — will now take place at Strathmore, a concert venue in Bethesda, Maryland. The orchestra's leaders were informed via email on Feb. 12, just days after Trump's announcement, that it would not be performing at the venue. 'We are not in a position at this time to advance a contract,' the email said, according to a press release from the International Pride Orchestra. That same month, the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., and the National Symphony Orchestra were also informed that an event they were planning to host at the Kennedy Center in May would not move forward. The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment on this article. In a statement, Michael Roest, the founding artistic director of the International Pride Orchestra, said orchestra members were 'heartbroken' when they realized they would not be able to perform at the Kennedy Center during World Pride. His statement also thanked Strathmore for opening its doors, saying, 'Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation's capital.' Capital Pride's Bos echoed Roest, emphasizing the importance of moving forward with plans for World Pride, especially in Washington, as the nation's capital celebrates 50 years of hosting annual Pride celebrations. 'World Pride is not canceled,' Bos said. 'Every year World Pride is important, but this year there's a very strong historic moment that we must meet … to ensure our community is not scared back into the closet.' This article was originally published on
NBC News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
World Pride event organizers move events after Trump's Kennedy Center takeover
Several LGBTQ+ pride events to be held as part of Washington, D.C.'s World Pride celebrations in May and June have been relocated from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The affected events include an International Pride Orchestra concert, a drag story hour and Pride-related art exhibits, including one featuring panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The Associated Press was the first to report on the changes. Event organizers say some were moved after the Kennedy Center informed them that it would not move forward with contracts to host them, while others were moved proactively after President Donald Trump abruptly fired several members of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees in February and made himself chairman. The president wrote in a Truth Social post at the time, 'Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP.' Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance, a group that is one of the main organizers of World Pride, described the post as the 'writing on the wall' that prompted his group to move the gatherings it planned to host at the Kennedy Center elsewhere. 'The Kennedy Center, as an arts and cultural institution, this is a type of space that has been a safe haven for our communities from the dawn of time,' Bos told NBC News, adding that Trump's message 'goes counter to what pride is about.' Now, the group's programming will take place at its World Pride Welcome Center in downtown Washington. Another event — the International Pride Orchestra's Pride Celebration concert — will now take place at Strathmore, a concert venue in Bethesda, Maryland. The orchestra's leaders were informed via email on Feb. 12, just days after Trump's announcement, that it would not be performing at the venue. 'We are not in a position at this time to advance a contract,' the email said, according to a press release from the International Pride Orchestra. That same month, the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., and the National Symphony Orchestra were also informed that an event they were planning to host at the Kennedy Center in May would not move forward. The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment on this article. In a statement, Michael Roest, the founding artistic director of the International Pride Orchestra, said orchestra members were 'heartbroken' when they realized they would not be able to perform at the Kennedy Center during World Pride. His statement also thanked Strathmore for opening its doors, saying, 'Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation's capital.' Capital Pride's Bos echoed Roest, emphasizing the importance of moving forward with plans for World Pride, especially in Washington, as the nation's capital celebrates 50 years of hosting annual Pride celebrations. 'World Pride is not canceled,' Bos said. 'Every year World Pride is important, but this year there's a very strong historic moment that we must meet … to ensure our community is not scared back into the closet.'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
International Pride Orchestra says pride concert will be held in Bethesda following disinvitation from Kennedy Center
WASHINGTON () — The International Pride Orchestra (IPO) announced Monday that its Pride Celebration Concert will now take place in Bethesda after Washington, D.C.'s John F. Kennedy Center reportedly disinvited them from performing. The concert, set for June 5, will now be held at . The organization said the announcement comes after the group's founding artistic director, Michael Roest, received an email from the Kennedy Center on Feb. 12, stating, 'We are not in a position at this time to advance a contract.' The San-Francisco based musical group, which brings together 80 queer and ally musicians from more than 32 states across the nation, was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center as part of , which the Capital Pride Alliance will host in D.C. later this year. The email came days after President Donald Trump that he intended to fire the center's board of trustees and appoint himself as chairman. 'At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN,' Trump reportedly wrote, in part, regarding the changes in a post on his social media site. Less than a week later, on Feb. 12, the center chair of the board, in a move it acknowledged as 'unprecedented.' PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Kennedy Center lists President Trump as chairman of the board According to from the Associated Press, in a statement to the Wall Street Journal last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'The Kennedy Center learned the hard way that if you go woke, you will go broke. President Trump and the members of his newly-appointed board are devoted to rebuilding the Kennedy Center into a thriving and highly respected institution where all Americans, and visitors from around the world, can enjoy the arts with respect to America's great history and traditions.' Following the venue change for the International Pride Orchestra's performance, leaders from the organization spoke out against the alleged disinvite. 'We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,' said Roest. '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. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation's capital.' Kennedy Center cancels Pride performance featuring Gay Men's Chorus of Washington The IPO noted that The Music Center at Strathmore quickly stepped in to offer the group a new location for its celebratory event. 'Music has always been a powerful force against hate and bigotry,' Roest added. 'In times of challenge, it reminds us of our shared humanity. The LGBTQ+ community has always shown resilience in the face of discrimination, and this concert will be a vibrant expression of that enduring spirit. We are honored to bring our music to the Strathmore Music Center and to stand together against intolerance.' The Kennedy Center told DC News Now it does not have a formal statement in response to the IPO's announcement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kennedy Center appearance for Bay Area performing arts group abruptly canceled
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A San Francisco-based performing group that features volunteer LGBTQIA+ musicians and drag performers has had an upcoming appearance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. abruptly canceled. The International Pride Orchestra (IPO) was scheduled to take part in the Pride Celebration Concert at the Kennedy Center on June 4. However, earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced via social media post that he would be appointing MAGA loyalist Ric Grenell, who was the first openly gay U.S. cabinet member, as interim executive director of the Kennedy Center. In the post, Trump said that there would be 'NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA' at the center. No savings expected from nearly 40% of DOGE-canceled contracts Trump went on to name himself chairman of the center and fired several of the board members. A few days later, IPO received a one-sentence email from the Kennedy Center, informing them, 'We are not in a position at this time to advance a contract.' '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.' 'Sadly, to read something like this from the present President of the United States is not surprising, but is in itself profoundly unamerican and therefore disheartening,' said IPO board member and conductor Christine Brandes. 'His actions further embolden us in our purpose. The group will instead move its Pride Celebration Concert to the Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Thursday, June 5. 'The Strathmore Music Center, known for its commitment to diversity and artistic freedom, quickly stepped in to offer IPO a new home for its landmark event,' read a statement from the group. 'The Pride Celebration Concert will now serve not only as a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, but as a testament to the enduring power of music to united communities in the face of adversity.' The Pride Celebration Concert, which promises 'an unforgettable evening of music, featuring a diverse repertoire that reflects the richness of LGBTQ+ experience,' will be hosted by noted San Francisco drag performer, Peaches Christ. The Kennedy Center has reportedly seen a 50% drop in ticket sales since Trump announced his intention to take it over. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
