Rhiannon Giddens Cancels Kennedy Center Performance

News Summary

Rhiannon Giddens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, has canceled her May 2025 performance at The Kennedy Center over concerns regarding its political climate. She will instead perform at The Anthem. This decision mirrors a growing trend among artists withdrawing from the venue due to its leadership changes under President Trump’s influence. Giddens continues her tour with The Old-Time Revue, emphasizing community and cultural heritage through traditional music, following the release of her collaborative album with Justin Robinson.

Washington, D.C. – Rhiannon Giddens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning opera composer and co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, has announced the cancellation of her performance scheduled for May 11, 2025, at The Kennedy Center. Instead, she plans to perform at The Anthem, following her concerns about the political climate surrounding the Kennedy Center, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s recent appointment as chair of its board of trustees. This decision aligns with a growing trend among prominent artists who have chosen to withdraw from appearances at the Kennedy Center due to its leadership changes and the perceived influence of “woke” culture criticism.

In recent months, other artists, including Issa Rae and Louise Penny, have also canceled their performances at the Kennedy Center, citing similar concerns about its political context. Giddens articulated that she believes Trump’s impact on the arts venue undermines its integrity and artistic mission. Her decision reflects a broader artistic movement advocating for spaces that foster creative freedom over political influence.

As Giddens navigates these controversies, she continues her tour with The Old-Time Revue, which celebrates African-American string music traditions from Appalachia and beyond. The ensemble showcases a diverse repertoire that includes Cajun waltzes, traditional Congolese ballads, and classic country music songs by artists such as Merle Haggard. Giddens leads a talented group of musicians for this tour, which features fiddler Justin Robinson, multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell, his daughter Amelia, bassist Jason Sypher, and Giddens’ nephew, Justin “Demeanor” Harrington.

The Old-Time Revue tour follows the release of Giddens and Robinson’s collaborative album “What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow,” which pays homage to the Southern Black String Band traditions that helped shape country music. One of the significant aims of the tour is to provide an alternative to commercially driven music, emphasizing community participation and enjoyment as central themes in their performances.

Upcoming performances in The Old-Time Revue Tour include a concert at the Observatory North Park in San Diego on June 19, 2025, with tickets priced at $55. The tour will begin on April 25, 2025, and will include stops in various cities such as Durham, Asheville, Miami, and Atlanta, creating opportunities for audiences to engage with Giddens’ music and its cultural significance.

Moreover, Giddens has demonstrated her commitment to her music’s principles through initiatives like a benefit concert that raised funds with the San Diego supergroup Berkley Hart Selis Twang. Her work extends beyond her musical endeavors, advocating for separating artistry from commercialism and promoting local cultural heritage.

Tickets for Giddens’ tour became available to the public on February 7, 2025, signaling a strong interest in her performances and the socio-cultural messages she adds to her music. As Giddens tours and creates, she aims to challenge the current narratives surrounding art and politics, seeking to instill a sense of community through her musical expressions and engagements.

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• San Diego Union-Tribune: Three Concerts Music Lovers Won’t Want to Miss
• Wikipedia: Rhiannon Giddens
• NBC San Diego: Rhiannon Giddens Calls Off Kennedy Center Show
• Google Search: Rhiannon Giddens
• JamBase: Rhiannon Giddens Tour Dates 2025
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Rhiannon Giddens
• San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego Summer Concert Guide
• Google News: Rhiannon Giddens