CHRIS SIKICH
Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie.
Adam Weiner of the band Low Cut Connie has cancelled his upcoming appearance at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in protest of recent behind-the-scenes developments there.
The show had been scheduled for the venue’s Millennium Stage, March 19, as part of its “Social Impact” series, which, according to its website, reflects its “belief that the arts hold unique power in our society to build community, center joy, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.”
Weiner, who is originally from Cherry Hill but is now based in Philadelphia (and performs frequently in New Jersey), wrote in a message to social media:
Upon learning that this institution that has run non-partisan for 54 years is now chaired by President Trump himself and his regime, I decided I will not perform there.
Our little rock n roll act stands for diversity, inclusion, and truth-telling.
My extended Low Cut Connie community includes black, white, gay, straight, transgender, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, atheist, and immigrant individuals — all of whom are wonderful upstanding Americans.
Many of these folks will be directly negatively affected by this Administration’s policies and messaging.
President Trump has appointed a new board, not a single member of which has any arts experience whatsoever.
Arts institutions are one area that should be immune from our corrosive political culture.
I sincerely wish for the Kennedy Center to return to a non-partisan community-building model of arts programming.
Until that occurs, I won’t perform there.
Maybe my career will suffer from this decision, but my soul will be the better for it.
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