The Kennedy Center’s war on the performing arts continues to wage on under the Trump administration as a series of events planned around Pride Month have quietly been canceled or relocated.
According to The Associated Press, artists involved with the Kennedy Center’s Tapestry of Pride — scheduled for June 5 to 8 during Washington, D.C.’s World Pride Festival — have been informed that the events have either been canceled entirely or moved to other venues.
Following the cancelations, Washington’s Capital Pride Alliance disassociated from the Kennedy Center. “We are a resilient community, and we have found other avenues to celebrate,” said June Crenshaw, deputy director of the alliance, told the AP. “We are finding another path to the celebration … but the fact that we have to maneuver in this way is disappointing.”
While the Tapestry of Pride event is still listed on the Kennedy Center website, no details or specific events are listed. “Further details to be announced. In the meantime, check out the other festivities at WorldPride,” the Center’s website says.
A representative for Capital Pride Alliance clarified in a statement Friday to NBC Washington, “The reporting by the AP is accurate, but to be clear, not all of the Tapestry of Pride events were canceled by the Kennedy Center. As stated, events being produced by the Capital Pride Alliance have been proactively relocated by CPA to ensure our entire LGBTQ+ community will be welcome. These events have not been canceled.”
Following Trump’s self-appointment as Kennedy Center chairman, at least 26 performances have been canceled, including 15 by the scheduled acts themselves. Issa Rae cancelled her Feb. 14 show, citing “an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums.” On Feb. 13, Low Cut Connie, the Philadelphia rock and soul band fronted by Adam Weiner, cancelled their March 19 concert.
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jefferey Seller were supposed to bring Hamilton to the Kennedy Center in 2026, but cancelled the run, saying, “The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we’re not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center. We’re just not going to be part of it.” A concert by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington was also canceled.
In March, Guster protested the changes at the Kennedy Center — which included the cancelation of performances of the LGBTQ+ musical Finn — by having that show’s cast appear onstage during their concert at the performing arts venue.
