If you’ve ever wondered how to do the unthinkable with the stealth of a mouse and the heart of a particularly tone-deaf elephant, look no further than the Kennedy Center under Donald Trump’s leadership. The grand dame of America’s cultural institutions, once a shining beacon of artistic excellence, has reportedly turned into an awkward, politically-tinged spectacle that only makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons. And the latest? The quietly executed, cowardly cancellation of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s performance.
Let’s rewind: it was supposed to be a celebration—a majestic collaboration of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and the Gay Men’s Chorus (GMCW) on May 21st, featuring a piece titled A Peacock Among Pigeons. It was all lined up for World Pride in Washington, D.C., but in an unexpected, no-explanation-given move, the concert was yanked from the Kennedy Center’s calendar. The official reason? Silence. The concert just… vanished. Poof. No heads-up, no call, no press release. Just the deafening quiet of a fading cultural moment.
Bass player Jeffrey Weisner, a member of the NSO, had to learn the news the hard way—through his husband Silvio, a member of the chorus, who was told directly by the staff. And if that wasn’t awkward enough, there’s the no-comment response from the Kennedy Center’s spokesperson, who somehow managed to shift the narrative in the blink of an eye to a new concert—The Wizard of Oz in Concert.
Yes, you read that right. A Wizard of Oz concert featuring the NSO. Who doesn’t love a good nostalgia trip? But honestly, even Dorothy would have a hard time stomaching the irony of it all. The country’s cultural heart, a place that once hosted the greatest musicians, actors, and artists in the world, now seems more content with programming aimed at appeasing a certain, well, demographic.
In a time when the role of the arts should be to educate, uplift, and foster love and understanding—ideals that even the most cursory knowledge of history would suggest are crucial to building a diverse and thriving society—the Kennedy Center’s cancellation seems a chilling step backward. But, naturally, this is all happening under the umbrella of Trump’s latest arts “vision,” guided by former U.S. Ambassador Ric Grenell, who now sits as the interim president.
Why the sudden change? Trump has long been outspoken about drag shows and arts that don’t align with his personal preferences, so perhaps it’s no surprise that he feels “at home” only in places that reflect his tastes. If his goal was to turn the Kennedy Center into a personal Trump-branded space, complete with The Complete Tucker Carlson Experience and a possible Roseanne Barr residency (stay tuned), we’re probably just getting started.
What makes this particularly troubling, beyond the quiet silencing of voices that deserve to be heard, is the absence of any transparency from the Kennedy Center itself. What happened to the promise of artistic freedom? What happened to championing diversity and expression, especially in a time when the nation needs it most?
For their part, the Gay Men’s Chorus responded with grace and resilience, expressing their disappointment but vowing to continue their mission elsewhere. They won’t let this cancellation stop them from lifting their voices for equality—no matter how many puppet shows or sub-vocal improvisations come their way. They plan to perform A Peacock Among Pigeons during the World Pride International Choral Festival. Their voices will still be heard, even if the Kennedy Center decided to hit mute.
And as for the Kennedy Center, it will continue to try to rebrand itself as a less-than-great national embarrassment. Maybe one day, they’ll honor someone truly worthy of recognition—say, a true artist who champions freedom of expression. In the meantime, we’ll have to settle for the Wizard of Oz and the circus of politics that has sadly replaced art at our once-proud cultural institution.
So, while Trump’s brand of artistic censorship may be taking over the center, let’s not forget: the voices of the marginalized, the brave, and the true artists will always find a stage. Even if it’s not in the Kennedy Center.
Source: Washingtonian and Boingboing
It’s time for ALL artists to boycott the Kennedy Center until the little DICKtator is gone!
and when they came for me…