More Kennedy Center Shows Are Canceled After Renaming

A New York dance troupe has joined the list of performers backing out of appearances at Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts since the White House announced plans to put President Trump's name on the building. Doug Varone and Dancers said Monday it was canceling a two-night engagement in April, and the Kennedy Center's website on Monday showed that two New Year's Eve concerts by the jazz group the Cookers had been dropped, the New York Times reports. Varone said calling off the performance will cost his company $40,000. "It is financially devastating but morally exhilarating," he said in an email.

No reason was given for the jazz concerts being scrapped. Musician Chuck Redd canceled his usual free Christmas Eve performance at the center, saying he made the decision because of the name change. Other artists withdrew from the schedule earlier in the year after Trump exerted control over the Kennedy Center, and people including Renée Fleming and Ben Folds left positions there. "We can no longer permit ourselves nor ask our audiences to step inside this once great institution," Varone said Monday. The Kennedy Center Honors went on as scheduled this month, hosted by Trump.