Kennedy Center
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Three-time Oscar-nominated composer and Kennedy Center honoree Philip Glass has canceled a planned Abraham Lincoln-inspired performance at the Kennedy Center, citing a "direct conflict" with President Donald Trump's leadership at the historic venue.
In a short statement shared Tuesday to social media, Glass, 88, announced that he would no longer world-premiere his new symphony Lincoln at the Washington performing arts center.
"After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 'Lincoln' from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," Glass wrote on X, using the full name of the JFK memorial venue that Trump has attempted to change to bear his own in recent months.
Glass, nominated by the Academy for scoring Notes on a Scandal, The Hours, and Kundun, continued, "Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony. Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership."
https://ew.com/philip-glass-cancels-kennedy-center-symphony-donald-trump-conflict-11893471
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Tangent alert. I am about to go on a tangent.
"Take me to the venue."-- Madonna's best line in her best film with then husband Guy Richie.
BTW, "Swept Away" was one of the worst films ever made so the fact they made this short film is something of a miracle.
"Star" is a comedy and a morality play. It's very entertaining. Everything about it-- the directing, casting, acting, etc.--is practically flawless.
Incidentally, Madonna's late brother, Christopher, said she couldn't do comedy. Wrong.
I love this film. Honorary mention for Clive Davis' excellent performance.
Link to videoSo, getting back to the topic, of course, The Kennedy center is literally a national monument, and is a cultural institution.
I don't care, anymore, though, about its troubles, because, in the final analysis, JFK's memory cannot be and will not be changed by whatever happens to The Kennedy Center.
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Three-time Oscar-nominated composer and Kennedy Center honoree Philip Glass has canceled a planned Abraham Lincoln-inspired performance at the Kennedy Center, citing a "direct conflict" with President Donald Trump's leadership at the historic venue.
In a short statement shared Tuesday to social media, Glass, 88, announced that he would no longer world-premiere his new symphony Lincoln at the Washington performing arts center.
"After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 'Lincoln' from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," Glass wrote on X, using the full name of the JFK memorial venue that Trump has attempted to change to bear his own in recent months.
Glass, nominated by the Academy for scoring Notes on a Scandal, The Hours, and Kundun, continued, "Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony. Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership."
https://ew.com/philip-glass-cancels-kennedy-center-symphony-donald-trump-conflict-11893471
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Not even one Scaramucci's worth.
In a Jan. 16 news release, the Kennedy Center announced that Kevin Couch would be its new senior vice president of artistic programming.
On Jan. 22, the center posted the announcement on X.
Not a week later, Couch resigned.
Couch confirmed his resignation Wednesday but declined to comment further.
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Guess this is one way to avoid the embarrassment of cancellations.
President Trump said Sunday he will move to close Washington's Kennedy Center performing arts center for two years starting in July for construction, his latest move to upturn the storied venue since returning to the White House.
https://www.npr.org/2026/02/01/nx-s1-5695832/kennedy-center-renovations-trump
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Behind the scenes. More chaos.
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@wtg said in Kennedy Center:
Don't forget the Arc de Trump. Or the Institute of Peace.
Is the Arc de Trump something he wants to build or something he wants to put his name on?
I can't see him renaming Washington Square Park, Trump Square Park, or the Washington Arch, Trump Arch. This probably wouldn't be grand enough for him.
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Behind the scenes. More chaos.
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Kennedy Center exodus continues as National Symphony director Jean Davidson exits
Davidson said she found it difficult to remain, âgiven the external forces that are at work that are just so far beyond my controlâhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/06/kennedy-center-national-symphony-director-exits
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A federal judge has blocked President Trump from adding his name to the Kennedy Center, saying that the Washington, D.C. arts complex was named for the late president John F. Kennedy. In a ruling on Friday, the judge also temporarily blocked the administration from closing the Kennedy Center for a planned two-year renovation that was slated to begin in July.
U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper wrote in his ruling that: "The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so. Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/nx-s1-5839349/president-trump-kennedy-center-name-judge-order
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@Mik said: Bad Bunny. Kennedy Center. The stupid never stops.The âBad Bunny Kennedy Centerâ does have a nice ring to itâŚ
What did I miss re Bad Bunny and the Kennedy Center?
@Mik said: Bad Bunny. Kennedy Center. The stupid never stops.The âBad Bunny Kennedy Centerâ does have a nice ring to itâŚ
What did I miss re Bad Bunny and the Kennedy Center?
Nothing at all, itâs just that the falderal about him doing the Super Bowl halftime is just dumb.
But the name is preferable to the proposed alternative.
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A federal judge has blocked President Trump from adding his name to the Kennedy Center, saying that the Washington, D.C. arts complex was named for the late president John F. Kennedy. In a ruling on Friday, the judge also temporarily blocked the administration from closing the Kennedy Center for a planned two-year renovation that was slated to begin in July.
U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper wrote in his ruling that: "The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so. Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/nx-s1-5839349/president-trump-kennedy-center-name-judge-order
A federal judge has blocked President Trump from adding his name to the Kennedy Center, saying that the Washington, D.C. arts complex was named for the late president John F. Kennedy. In a ruling on Friday, the judge also temporarily blocked the administration from closing the Kennedy Center for a planned two-year renovation that was slated to begin in July.
U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper wrote in his ruling that: "The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so. Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/nx-s1-5839349/president-trump-kennedy-center-name-judge-order
I thought that might happen. Good.
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