Banjo player Bela Fleck has announced the cancellation of his performances at the Trump-John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, citing the “tense and political” atmosphere since President Donald Trump took over the center.
Fleck was scheduled to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) for three concerts beginning February 19. But in a Jan. 6 Instagram post, Fleck told fans that he would not be performing, according to the post. Wrapper.
“I have pulled out of my upcoming performance with the NSO at the Kennedy Center. Performing there has become tense and political, in an institution where the focus should be on music,” he said.
“I look forward to playing with the NSO again in the future when we can share and celebrate the arts together.”
Fleck was due to perform a new show called NSO: An American Mosaic, based on Eric Copland's ballet Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes and his Clarinet Concerto, in honor of America's 250th anniversary.
Fleck is far from the first artist to cancel his Kennedy Center appearance.
Artists including actress Issa Rae, The Cookers, Christy Lee, Chuck Redd, Doug Varone and The Dancers and others have canceled their shows.
President Trump took over the Kennedy Center and appointed the chairman of the theater himself in February.
In December, the Kennedy Center board voted unanimously to add President Trump's name is on the building, further angering the left.
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