Kennedy Center Bans Concert

[Mandryka]

It is listed in this excellent British slang database with the etymology coming from "trumpet." There's also "trumpton" meaning the fire department.

They had a fire brigade which was a sort of 60s meme, because the firemen had a catchy roll call in each episode "Hugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grub."

My own favourite was Windy Miller

[Opus131]

Insulting Trump is a waste of time. Never understood why people kept going that route even though it clearly always rubbed off him without leaving any mark. People have been throwing insults at him for almost 10 years now and not a single one seems to have landed. You can't shame someone with this much guile. Name calling is basically his thing and if you stoop to his level he'll just beat you with experience.

Always thought criticisms of Trump should come from a more adult place but it seems there's no adults left in politics, from any side.

[Brian]

I engaged with the previous off-topic post because it was silly and harmless, but discussions of American politics are disallowed on this board.

[Iota]

I know this is off topic but it is funny.
Maybe our English friends can confirm this.
I have read that "trump" is slang in England for breaking wind.

Indeed. As children we used to go and stay with a family we were close to sometimes, and once at breakfast their oldest child said to his parents, 'I've just done a trump', (which we'd all heard anyway  ) ). I'd never heard the expression before and never did again, so I guess there's a portion of the population who use it at least, but I wasn't in that portion.

[Opus131]

I engaged with the previous off-topic post because it was silly and harmless, but discussions of American politics are disallowed on this board.

Oh, i didn't know that.

[arpeggio]

Another artist pulls out of the Kennedy Center:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/banjoist-b%C3%A9la-fleck-pulls-out-of-kennedy-center-concert/ar-AA1TItZB?ocid=BingNewsSerp

[arpeggio]

Washington Operas leaves Kennedy Center:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-kennedy-center-dealt-new-blow-as-opera-breaks-55-year-tradition/ar-AA1TV77k?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=696191900183485d84f13a6ade654e8c&ei=86

[Kalevala]

Washington Operas leaves Kennedy Center:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-kennedy-center-dealt-new-blow-as-opera-breaks-55-year-tradition/ar-AA1TV77k?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=696191900183485d84f13a6ade654e8c&ei=86

Yes, I heard that tonight.   

K

[Todd]

Washington Operas leaves Kennedy Center:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-kennedy-center-dealt-new-blow-as-opera-breaks-55-year-tradition/ar-AA1TV77k?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=696191900183485d84f13a6ade654e8c&ei=86

Mixed news.  Prior to last year, the WNO evidently generated about 4% of total revenue for the then Kennedy Center.  However, it evidently accounted for about 16% in expenses, so on an operational basis, the departure helps with cash flow.  If the endowment follows the WNO, which I would guess it does, then it hurts finances overall.  I did not do a deep dive into the finances, so the numbers could be off, so I will defer to people on the forum with detailed first-hand knowledge on the topic for corrections.

[relm1]

Mixed news.  Prior to last year, the WNO evidently generated about 4% of total revenue for the then Kennedy Center.  However, it evidently accounted for about 16% in expenses, so on an operational basis, the departure helps with cash flow.  If the endowment follows the WNO, which I would guess it does, then it hurts finances overall.  I did not do a deep dive into the finances, so the numbers could be off, so I will defer to people on the forum with detailed first-hand knowledge on the topic for corrections.

Just use trump math.  So WNO generated "1,200, 1,300, 1,400, 1,500%. I don't mean 50%, I mean 1,400 to 1,500%" of the total revenue.

[Todd]

Just use trump math.  So WNO generated "1,200, 1,300, 1,400, 1,500%. I don't mean 50%, I mean 1,400 to 1,500%" of the total revenue.

What?

[arpeggio]

New article about the Washington Opera.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2026/01/11/washington-national-opera-kennedy-center-split/

[Todd]

New article about the Washington Opera.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2026/01/11/washington-national-opera-kennedy-center-split/

The headline is correct, it's for the best.  This bit from the article shows why:

"The current requirement from the center's management is for WNO to demonstrate that each production or event is fully underwritten through anticipated ticket sales and secured contributed revenue sources before it can be approved," the statement reads. "This is impractical for WNO, since seasons must be conceived and developed well in advance of funding opportunities and the timing of when it is optimal to project revenue from ticket sales."

As publicly available numbers show, and as this reinforces, opera is a money loser.  Federal taxes should not subsidize opera at the now Trump-Kennedy Center, or anywhere, really. Wealthy private donors should fund gaps if they choose to do so as the audience skews top quintile of earners anyway.  Opera is not culturally relevant in 2026.  Hopefully, the separation is permanent.

[Kalevala]

🥱🥱🥱🥱

Hi.  I can't see what you wrote.  All I'm getting is square boxes with numbers inside of them: 01F on the top and 971 below.

K

[arpeggio]

My post was messed up so I deleted it.

[arpeggio]

The headline is correct, it's for the best.  This bit from the article shows why:

"The current requirement from the center's management is for WNO to demonstrate that each production or event is fully underwritten through anticipated ticket sales and secured contributed revenue sources before it can be approved," the statement reads. "This is impractical for WNO, since seasons must be conceived and developed well in advance of funding opportunities and the timing of when it is optimal to project revenue from ticket sales."

As publicly available numbers show, and as this reinforces, opera is a money loser.  Federal taxes should not subsidize opera at the now Trump-Kennedy Center, or anywhere, really. Wealthy private donors should fund gaps if they choose to do so as the audience skews top quintile of earners anyway.  Opera is not culturally relevant in 2026.  Hopefully, the separation is permanent.

👎👎👎👎

[owlice]

Washington National Opera relocates performances away from Kennedy Center to new venues

The Washington National Opera has relocated upcoming performances to a familiar venue as it breaks away from the Kennedy Center following President Donald Trump's takeover of the performing arts venue.

A few upcoming performances will be hosted at a venue that has history with the Washington National Opera: the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University.

According to a Friday news release, the opera received a flood of donations after announcing last week it would depart from the Kennedy Center. The decision was made, according to the opera, over financial constraints imposed after Trump appointed his allies to the Kennedy Center's board.

More here: https://wtop.com/dc/2026/01/washington-national-opera-relocates-performances-away-from-kennedy-center-to-new-venues/

[owlice]

Though a smaller venue than the Kennedy Center, Lisner is easier to get to via Metro. It would be lovely if the WNO would consider a venue in Maryland -- specifically Strathmore, which has lovely acoustics -- in addition to the Virginia venues it's considering.

NY Times also has an article on the new venue.

Washington National Opera Finds a Stage Outside the Kennedy Center

The Washington National Opera will host two operas this spring season at George Washington University, where the organization got its start nearly 70 years ago, after parting ways with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts this month.

The opera announced on Friday that its 70th season will continue on March 7 at the university's Lisner Auditorium with the world premiere of a new version of Scott Joplin's "Treemonisha." Performances of Robert Ward's "The Crucible," based on the Arthur Miller play, also at the Lisner, will follow beginning on March 21.

The venue and specific dates for Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story," conducted by Marin Alsop, have yet to be announced. The opera said its annual gala, whose location has not been announced, will be hosted by the "Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz, who had recently said he would not set foot inside the Kennedy Center.

More here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/arts/music/washington-national-opera-kennedy-center.html

[arpeggio]

You are correct about the location of Lisner to the metro station. 
I forgot that the Kennedy Center is ½ mile away from the nearest metro station.
The metro station is only two blocks away from Lisner.
Also, the parking is cheaper than the Kennedy Center if one wants to use George Washington University parking garage which is across the street from Lisner.

[owlice]

Martha Graham Co quits Kennedy Center as exodus turns to stampede

The Martha Graham Dance Company has pulled Trump's Kennedy Center out of its centennial tour. No reason was given.

The company issued a terse statement: 'The Martha Graham Dance Company regrets that we are unable to perform at the Kennedy Center in April. We hope to perform at the center in the future.'

Cancellations are presently coming in at a rate of one every two days.

https://slippedisc.com/2026/01/martha-graham-co-quits-kennedy-center-as-exodus-turns-to-stampede/