San Francisco Ballet pulls out of Kennedy Center performances

"SF Ballet looks forward to performing for Washington, D.C., audiences in the future. Professional artists should perform for everyone - not just for people they agree with politically."

"The Kennedy Center has seen a wave of cancellations since Trump's name was added to the building's marble facade, including by composer Philip Glass and soprano Renée Fleming. The past year has been one of sustained upheaval at the institution, as ticket sales have fallen and dozens of employees have resigned or been fired."

"Trump, who installed himself as chair of the center more than a year ago, announced this month that he would shut it down this summer for a two-year renovation project. The center's Trump-allied board voted to add the president's name to the center in December, a decision that prompted an uproar from Democrats and has been challenged in court."

The San Francisco Ballet withdrew from a scheduled five-day run at the Kennedy Center in late May, joining other prominent artists in cancelling performances following Trump's takeover of the institution. Trump's name was added to the building's marble facade in December, sparking significant controversy and legal challenges. The Kennedy Center has experienced sustained upheaval, including ticket sales declines and employee resignations. Richard Grenell, Trump's appointed Kennedy Center president, responded by stating professional artists should perform for everyone regardless of political agreement. This cancellation represents the most prominent withdrawal from the dance world, as the ballet company faced pressure from patrons opposing the Trump administration's institutional changes.

Read at The Mercury News