A Jazz Concert Calls Off Over Name Change

A long-standing jazz concert at the Kennedy Center was called off this year. The reason? The venue's name was changed to include Donald Trump's name.

The Cancellation

Chuck Redd, a jazz musician, has been hosting the yearly event since 2006. He decided to cancel it after seeing the name change on the website and the building.

Legal Concerns

The name change appears to break a 1964 law, which states that only John F. Kennedy's name can be on the building. Joyce Beatty, a representative, has filed a lawsuit. She argues that only Congress can change the name and that the change was done without following the proper process.

Defense of the Name Change

The Kennedy Center's spokesperson, Roma Daravi, defended the name change. She said it follows past examples, like adding Trump's name to the Institute of Peace. However, the military base renaming she mentioned was done by Congress, not a board.

Impact on Other Events

This is not the first event to be affected by the name change. The American College Theatre Festival ended its 60-year partnership with the Kennedy Center, stating that the center's decisions do not match their values. Other artists have also canceled their appearances, including Issa Rae and a planned production of "Hamilton."

Kennedy Center's Response

The Kennedy Center has not commented on the concert cancellation. Their website only confirms that the event was canceled. The concert was free to attend. The name change has caused a lot of trouble for the center and its events.