The head of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC has demanded $1m (£740,000) in damages from musician Chuck Redd, who canceled a concert after President Donald Trump's name was added to the venue. Chuck Redd called off his Christmas Eve performance, which he has hosted annually since 2006, citing a vote by the board to rename the site the Trump Kennedy Center.
In his letter, Richard Grenell stated that the cancellation was a political stunt and claimed it has significantly hurt the institution. Redd did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shortly after taking office, Trump fired several board members and appointed allies, leading to the decision of making Trump chairman of the board.
Grenell, the Trump Kennedy Center president, claimed the no-show was indicative of intolerance and harmful to the non-profit arts institute. He indicated that declining ticket sales and donor support, along with the last-minute cancellation, were financially damaging.
Recently, the White House announced a board vote to rename the cultural hub as The Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Following this declaration, crews promptly began altering the building’s exterior to reflect the name change, an act that sparked controversy among artists and Democrats alike.
When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert, explained Redd, a noted drummer and vibraphone player.
Adding to the divisiveness, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit to revert the name back, arguing that such a name change requires legislative approval. In her lawsuit, she contends that as a board member appointed by law, her opposition should have been considered during the renaming meeting. The Kennedy Center was originally established following President John F. Kennedy's assassination, emphasizing its historical and artistic significance.
In his letter, Richard Grenell stated that the cancellation was a political stunt and claimed it has significantly hurt the institution. Redd did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shortly after taking office, Trump fired several board members and appointed allies, leading to the decision of making Trump chairman of the board.
Grenell, the Trump Kennedy Center president, claimed the no-show was indicative of intolerance and harmful to the non-profit arts institute. He indicated that declining ticket sales and donor support, along with the last-minute cancellation, were financially damaging.
Recently, the White House announced a board vote to rename the cultural hub as The Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Following this declaration, crews promptly began altering the building’s exterior to reflect the name change, an act that sparked controversy among artists and Democrats alike.
When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert, explained Redd, a noted drummer and vibraphone player.
Adding to the divisiveness, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit to revert the name back, arguing that such a name change requires legislative approval. In her lawsuit, she contends that as a board member appointed by law, her opposition should have been considered during the renaming meeting. The Kennedy Center was originally established following President John F. Kennedy's assassination, emphasizing its historical and artistic significance.
