The Kennedy Center recently cancelled a performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., (GMCW), according to a Facebook post.
The chorus was set to perform “A Peacock Among Pigeons” alongside the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) for the Kennedy Center’s Pride commemoration.
“We are deeply disappointed with the news that our upcoming Pride performance with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) has been canceled,” the GMCW said Tuesday in a statement. “The piece was intended to be a part of the Kennedy Center’s Pride celebration and we were very excited to be collaborating with the NSO as their guest chorus on the piece titled ‘A Peacock Among Pigeons.’”
“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,” GMCW added.
The Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees unanimously elected Trump as chair of the center on Feb. 12 after he removed multiple members. The center swiftly cleansed its pages of woke content on Feb. 10. He named Richard Grenell to the post of Interim Executive Director, saying the appointee “shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture.” (RELATED: Trump Taps Conservative Firebrand Richard Grenell To Shake Up Kennedy Center)
These moves followed a Feb. 7 post by Trump criticizing the recent practices of the Kennedy Center.
“Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “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!”
Other shows set for performances at the Kennedy Center have been cancelled in recent days.
The Alfred Street Baptist Church announced Sunday that it terminated its contract to perform its annual Christmas shows at the Kennedy Center.
“We believe that the new leadership’s opposition to the Kennedy Center’s honoring across long-standing tradition of honoring artistic expression across all backgrounds is misaligned with our unwavering commission to proclaim and practice the transformative and redemptive love of Jesus,” the historically black church said in a press release.
The center also canceled the children’s musical “Finn” on Feb. 12, according to a statement on the musical’s Instagram page. First premiering at the Kennedy Center last November, the “musical chronicles the coming-of-age journey of a young shark following his dreams,” according to the center’s website.
“At its heart it has a universal message of love and acceptance. The fact that that extends to sparkly boys seems to be controversial. The resistance starts here — with a shark who wants to let out his inner fish.” the musical’s statement read.
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