‘Performing There Has Become Charged and Political’: Béla Fleck Cancels Kennedy Center Appearance

The Kennedy Center’s list of cancellations continues to grow amid the venue’s recent renaming to The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

The latest? Béla Fleck — the 17-time Grammy Award-winning banjoist who was set to join the National Symphony Orchestra in mid-February.

Fleck took to social media to share the news on Tuesday, noting that “I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center.”

“Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music,” Fleck wrote. “I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we a together share and celebrate art.”

Fleck is certainly not alone; the banjoist joins a growing list of performers who have cancelled upcoming gigs at the venue. Chuck Redd pulled the plug on his annual “Jazz Jams” Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center last month, followed by a pair of New Year’s Eve concerts by the jazz supergroup The Cookers. Alongside the holiday shows, folk singer Kristy Lee cancelled a show in January, while Doug Varone and Dancers said they would no longer perform at the venue in April.

Additionally, “Wicked” composer Stephen Schwartz said he will no longer host the Washington National Opera Gala this May.

The Kennedy Center has faced criticism and political scrutiny since Trump’s appointment. The President previously said that he plans to eliminate drag shows and “woke” art at the venue, though admitted he has never actually seen a show at the institution. Shows have been cancelled, including the production “Finn” and the award-winning “Hamilton.” “Legally Blonde” has also been postponed.