SF Ballet Cancels Its Performance at Recently Trump-ified Kennedy Center, After Weeks of Local Pressure

"President Trump has been trying to name everything after himself and directly steal from US taxpayers through his hostile takeover of Washington DC's storied John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Not only has Trump slapped his own name on the place, which is being challenged in court, he made the widely inappropriate move of installing himself as chair of the organization."

"A lengthy list of performers have canceled their scheduled shows at the Kennedy Center, including a production, Issa Rae, Philip Glass, and soprano Renee Fleming. A Saturday New York Times report noted that ticket sales have fallen and dozens of employees have resigned or been fired at the Center since Trump made his changes."

"San Francisco Ballet patrons had started an online petition urging a cancellation that hit 7,000 signatures. The New York Times reported Saturday that the SF Ballet has indeed now canceled their Kennedy Center performances after recent reconsideration by their board of trustees."

President Trump renamed the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after himself and appointed himself chairman, installing a new board of directors. This controversial takeover prompted numerous performers including Issa Rae, Philip Glass, and Renee Fleming to cancel scheduled shows. The changes resulted in decreased ticket sales and dozens of employee resignations or terminations. San Francisco Ballet initially maintained their May 27 performances despite a 7,000-signature patron petition opposing the commitment. Following board reconsideration, SF Ballet ultimately canceled their Kennedy Center engagement, joining the growing list of artists boycotting the venue.

Read at sfist.com