A Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center has been officially canceled, breaking over 20 years of holiday tradition. The decision to call off the performance was made by musician Chuck Redd after the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the venue’s title.
Cancellation Linked to Controversial Name Change
Last week, the Kennedy Center’s facade was updated to read “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” This change was reportedly approved by a board chosen by Trump, raising legal concerns among scholars. Many argue that this alteration violates existing laws governing the center’s naming rights.
Chuck Redd, a well-known musician and regular host of holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center since 2006, stated, “When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert.” Redd has performed alongside renowned artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Brown.
Legal and Historical Context
The previous naming of the Kennedy Center stands as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. Following his death, Congress enacted legislation in 1964 that explicitly prohibits any additional names from being attached to the building. Kerry Kennedy, the President’s niece, has expressed intentions to remove Trump’s name once he leaves office.
- The Kennedy Center’s board must seek Congressional approval for any significant name changes.
- Former House historian Ray Smock emphasizes the legal restrictions on renaming the center.
Impact on the Arts Community
President Trump has been a polarizing figure in the arts, leading to numerous cancellations of performances at the Kennedy Center. Artists including Issa Rae, Peter Wolf, and Lin-Manuel Miranda have chosen to withdraw their acts since the president’s recent re-election.
The Kennedy Center traditionally serves as a venue of prominence, hosting various artistic performances that reflect cultural values. However, the current changes reflect Trump’s broader strategy against what he terms “woke” culture in federal cultural institutions.
The Kennedy Center has not provided immediate comments regarding the concert cancellation.
