Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sonia De Los Santos has joined a growing list of artists withdrawing from Kennedy Center performances, canceling two concerts scheduled for February 7th.
Her decision adds to mounting tension between performers and the historic Washington venue.
The Mexican American artist cited the current climate at the venue as incompatible with her values and artistic mission.
De Los Santos’ cancellation highlights broader concerns among artists about recent changes at the institution under President Donald Trump’s leadership.
Artist Cites Unwelcoming Environment
De Los Santos, whose 2018 album “¡Alegría!” earned a Latin Grammy nomination for best children’s album, explained her decision Thursday on Instagram. Her scheduled performances were designed for young audiences, with a planned “creative conversation” following the concerts.
As an artist, I treasure the freedom to create and share my music, and for many years I have used this privilege to uplift the stories of immigrants in this country.
She continued by expressing her discomfort with performing at the venue under current circumstances.
Unfortunately, I do not feel that the current climate at this beloved venue represents a welcoming space for myself, my band, or our audience.
When contacted by The Associated Press, De Los Santos shared her Instagram statement but declined further comment on the matter.
Kennedy Center Responds to Cancellation
Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi pushed back strongly against De Los Santos’ reasoning, particularly her reference to immigration issues. Daravi’s response defended the venue’s stance and questioned the artist’s decision.
This country was built on legal immigrants and as a first generation American, I find her statement highly offensive.
Daravi characterized the cancellation as counterproductive to inclusivity.
Refusing to engage with an institution open to everyone is, in fact, a step towards discrimination.
Wave of Artist Withdrawals
De Los Santos joins an expanding roster of performers canceling Kennedy Center appearances since Trump ousted previous leadership early last year. The president installed himself as head of the board of trustees, marking a dramatic shift in venue governance.
Trump has positioned Kennedy Center at the forefront of his campaign against perceived “woke” bias in cultural institutions.
High-profile cancellations include:
- Lin-Manuel Miranda – “Hamilton” creator withdrew from scheduled events
- Peter Wolf – Rock musician called off performances
- Chuck Redd – Jazz musician canceled Christmas Eve show
- The Cookers – Jazz group withdrew from New Year’s Eve concerts
- Stephen Schwartz – “Wicked” composer pulled out of spring opera gala
Controversial Rebranding Sparks Exodus
December’s board decision to rebrand the venue as Trump-Kennedy Center triggered a fresh wave of cancellations. Scholars note this change can only be legally enacted through congressional action, raising questions about the board’s authority.
Last week, Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck announced cancellation of three scheduled February appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra. His explanation reflected concerns shared by many artists.
Fleck wrote on social media that performing at Kennedy Center had become “charged and political,” making it impossible to proceed with scheduled performances.
Political Response to Artist Decisions
Ric Grenell, a Trump ally appointed by the president to lead Kennedy Center, dismissed Fleck’s concerns on social media platform X.
Made it political and caved to the woke mob.
Grenell’s response illustrates the increasingly polarized atmosphere surrounding the venue and artist decisions.
Additional Withdrawals and Conflicting Explanations
Asian AF, a popular variety show, had May performances initially listed as canceled on Kennedy Center’s website before being removed entirely. The disappearance of listings raised questions about transparency regarding cancellations.
Spokesperson Daravi attributed the Asian AF cancellation to a “scheduling conflict,” offering a different explanation than artists who cited political concerns. Representatives for Asian AF did not respond to requests for comment about their withdrawal.
Impact on Cultural Institution
Kennedy Center has served as America’s premier performing arts venue since opening in 1971. Named for President John F. Kennedy, the institution traditionally operated as a non-partisan cultural space welcoming diverse artistic voices.
Recent developments mark a significant departure from this tradition. Artist withdrawals signal concerns about politicization affecting the venue’s reputation and programming.
The ongoing exodus of performers raises questions about Kennedy Center’s future ability to attract top-tier talent. Artists increasingly face pressure to align personal values with performance venues, creating difficult decisions about where to appear.
For De Los Santos, whose work specifically focuses on immigrant stories and children’s education through music, the decision reflected core artistic principles. Her withdrawal underscores how cultural institutions become battlegrounds in broader political conflicts.
Whether Kennedy Center can bridge the growing divide between its new leadership vision and artistic community expectations remains uncertain. The coming months will likely determine if more artists follow De Los Santos’ lead or if the venue finds ways to address performer concerns.