“Any artist cancelling their show at the Trump Kennedy Center over political differences isn’t courageous or principled — they are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people," Daravi said.
No, refusing to perform for fascist dictators is a perfect example of courageous and principled. Suing an artist for their political leanings is selfish, intolerant, and failing to meet the basic duty of a public arts board.
They simply don’t think Trump is bad so they can’t see it that way.
What is a “public artist” ?
The clown is just trying to blow smoke up Trump’s skirt.
The reality is ALL performing contracts come with a clause that allows the performers to cancel at any time, for any reason - and this jerk-off knows it.
He’s just fondling Trump’s ego, though the real threat is if other performers see how business at the Kennedy Canter is going to be rolling from now on, they may very well consider tapping out as well… Which would be glorious.
In 2023, about 80% of The Kennedy Center’s tickets were sold or given out for their fall performances. In 2024, that number was 93%.
This year, it’s 57% source, and that’s even before he added his name to the venue. I’ll also note that the original WaPo article said that staff had never before been offered so many free tickets; that at some performances the upper levels were closed off; and that at some performances audience members were repeatedly encouraged to move closer to the stage. All of which means they’re really desperate for seat fillers, to avoid looking like a dying mall.
The reality is ALL performing contracts come with a clause that allows the performers to cancel at any time, for any reason
Why would anyone sign such a contract? I thought the whole point of a contract was to guarantee the exchange of money, goods, and services?
I mean, as a worthless consumer, I agree to such things all the time, because I have no choice. I should think a performing venue has slightly more leverage.
Why would anyone sign such a contract?
Would you want to go see a performer if they were sick, or just dealt with the loss of a child or spouse or some other personal tragedy that left them unable to give you their best effort?
I’ve seen some godawful perfromences in my time and was pissed that I paid for them, and got dogshit on the stage instead.
Those contracts protect the venue as much as the performer.
Pulling out for a reason is not the same as pulling out for any reason.
What kind of contract is “show up if you feel like it?”
It’s pretty standard for most acts. That’s what kind it is. Is the venue going to say no when they have seats to fill?
yeah, good luck with that.
What an absolute shit site.
If I was the musician, I’d agree to do the concert, and I’d either deliver the absolute worst performance possible at the last moment - bonus points for warning potential Kennedy Center patrons in advance so they don’t buy tickets for nothing - or I’d perform blatantly anti-fascist songs without warning.
“Boycott”? Maybe. How about this, instead: I solemnly declare that I will pay artist Chuck Redd 100x whatever I give to the Trump-enabling fascist board members of the Kennedy Center. Until I die, if I accidentally give them a dollar, he gets $100. 10? My man with principles gets $1000. For life. Who’s with me!?
