New Year's Eve Concerts at Kennedy Center Are Canceled

[riversedge]

Source: nytimes.com



The jazz drummer Billy Hart said the decision was “evidently” connected to President Trump’s name being added to the arts center.

By Adam Nagourney and Neil Vigdor Dec. 29, 2025Updated 7:52 p.m. ET

A veteran jazz ensemble and a New York dance company have canceled events at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, intensifying the fallout at one of the nation’s pre-eminent arts centers after it was renamed to include President Trump.

The center had previously promoted two New Year’s Eve performances by the Cookers as an “all-star jazz septet that will ignite the Terrace Theater stage with fire and soul.” But those performances, like an annual Christmas Eve jazz concert hosted by Chuck Redd, are now canceled.

The Cookers did not give a reason for the decision in a statement on Monday that said, “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice.”

But the band’s drummer, Billy Hart, told The New York Times that the center’s name change had “evidently” played a role. He acknowledged that the group was concerned about possible reprisals.



Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/arts/kennedy-center-new-years-eve-concerts-canceled.html?unlocked_article_code=1.AlA.qpIZ.YgzTzyid5KNU&smid=nytcore-ios-share

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New Year’s Eve Concerts at Kennedy Center Are Canceled

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/a...

— (@oceancalm.bsky.social) 2025-12-30T04:28:53.928Z

A bas-relief outside of a building that has the words “Donald Trump” visible between thin columns.
The head of Doug Varone and Dancers called the decision to cancel two performances at the Kennedy Center “financially devastating but morally exhilarating.”Credit...Brendan Smialowski/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

[Blues Heron]

1. Good. Shut it down until the monster is evicted and the name pried off.

[Norrrm]

8. Trump's name pried off.

[montanacowboy]

2. Great news

Shutter the damn place - let there be a dearth of performers.

[Norrrm]

3. Trump negotiated in bad faith. The groups would not have contracted for a Trump venue.

Maybe the contract was pre-Trump.
He still changed the terms.

[rubbersole]

4. Why don't they just book Lara Trump to do Tom Petty covers?

A cappella. Maybe Eric on tambourine...

[JohnnyRingo]

16. And just what did Tom Petty do to you?!

hahaha .. I think the family could have legal action. Maybe even a class action suit for everyone there who had to hear it.

[usonian]

5. More Kennedy Center performers pull out after Trump's name change

Originally from Rolling Stone.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/more-kennedy-center-performers-pull-out-after-trump-s-name-change/ar-AA1Tfs1r

New York Dance Company Doug Varone and Dancers announced that they would no longer bring their pre-scheduled performance to the institution in protest of the decision to rename the arts center.

Also on Monday, the Kennedy Center's website said two events set for New Year's Eve by the Cookers had also been canceled. While jazz band the Cookers did not immediately share the reason for the show cancellation, it came after jazz star Chuck Redd canceled his annual free concert, originally scheduled for Christmas Eve.


Alabama folk singer Kristy Lee, who was set to perform a free show on Jan. 14, was also among the artists who pulled out. "I won't lie to you, canceling shows hurts," she said in a Instagram post last week. "This is how I keep the lights on. But losing my integrity would cost me more than any paycheck. When American history starts getting treated like something you can ban, erase, rename, or rebrand for somebody else's ego, I can't stand on that stage and sleep right at night."

Seems a shame to me. People are reacting to the UNFINISHED sign. Completed version below.



Ode to Joy, anyone?

[dweller]

6. well , thats just .... sad ..

✌🏻

[Permanut]

7. No worries..

Billy Ray Cyrus, Kanye West, Nikki Minaj, Ted Nugent, Kid Rock and Carrie Underwood can fill in.

[TBF]

10. Can you imagine being forced to watch that concert? nt

[Permanut]

18. We may have to do that someday if we don't start livin' right.

[chouchou]

9. Having Trump's name would be like a crocodile singing "I'm having your Baby"

[PSPS]

11. Watch out. president anthony fremont will have a mad!

[BurnDoubt]

12. Everything he touches turns to Shit.

His ONLY talent.
Hopefully we can depose him (and THEM) before there’s nothing of Value left.
What’s wrong with them?????

[orleans]

13. suck it, donnie! nt

[slightlv]

14. If that doesn't completely describe

the last 10 years under the specter of trump and his maladministrations!

...called the decision to cancel two performances at the Kennedy Center “financially devastating but morally exhilarating.”

[3catwoman3]

29. "Morally exhilarating" is a superb turn of phrase!

[JohnnyRingo]

15. Where's Lee Greenwood when they need him?

He could adapt his song and play it over and over.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

23. I hear Kid Rock is available

Maybe even Ted Nugent.

[JohnnyRingo]

33. We can hope....

I can see all the tuxes while the Kid raps about F' the B*tch and Nugent cranks up to 11 and shreds a solo.

Used to be a high class joint.

[ColoringFool]

17. Reprisals? Like MAGAts Would Ever Hire A Jazz Group?!.....

The photo was very cleverly positioned to show "DONALD RUMP"!

[Ray Bruns]

19. I wouldn't worry. I expect when "Hee Haw Live" starts it's run, ticket sales will pick up

[wolfie001]

20. This is the good news we need!

F6ck that fat lying fraud and everything he stands for. And F6ck all the law firms, universities and corporations that bent the knee. Names must be taken and remembered. I hope the idiots that voted for that repulsive pig will do better in the future.

[twodogsbarking]

21. They could have a celebration honoring JFK in a different location. Make it for everyone, 'cept the azzhole.

[Swede]

22. Well Kid Rock ain't doing nothing...

Just sayin'

[FakeNoose]

24. Fine by me ... I wasn't going there anyway

[maxsolomon]

25. These groups could find themselves financially liable for the cancellations.

Trumpers are vindictive. I hope they followed their contracts.

[pfitz59]

26. I'd counter sue for 'breach of contract'

They signed on for 'The Kennedy Center', not Trump. For a performance, not a political endorsement.

[maxsolomon]

27. I think I read there was a group who did their show last week over this very issue.

said they couldn't risk breaching their contract.

Hanging your hat on the name change feels fraught.

[Attilatheblond]

32. They signed to play at the John F. Kennedy Center, which doesn't seem to exist at its former location

Tell Orange Pustule to read the name of the place they signed up to preform. Betting the contract did NOT say Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Center

[walkingman]

28. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, President Donald J Trump.

[3catwoman3]

31. I'll go for, "Shove it up your ass, Donnie!"

[Attilatheblond]

30. In 79 years he still hasn't learned he cannot force people to like him, respect him, worship him

It does seem he had figured out lying and bullying isn't as satisfying as he thought it would be. He is really insane and empty.

[bpj62]

34. Family History

My father worked in construction in the 60s and he worked for the company that built the Kennedy Center. He used to bring home scraps of marble that was left over from the facade of the building. When the construction was completed they had a party for all of the construction workers. I remember my dad telling me how he walked around drinking beer in the presence of JFK.
I am glad that artists are pulling out and in the future I believe that many performances and performers will choose to appear at different venues in the DC area. Sadly this will cause the loss of jobs for the people who work there. I truly believe that Trump has always intended to destroy the fine arts. I will not go near the Kennedy Center until his name and his board of sycophants are removed from the building and the premises.