Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sonia De Los Santos has canceled two Kennedy Center concerts scheduled for Feb. 7 for young people and a “creative conversation” with the audience in Washington, according to an Associated Press report.
In a Thursday Instagram post, De Los Santos wrote that she treasures the “freedom to create and share my music” and that, “for many years,” she has used that privilege “to uplift the stories of immigrants in this country.” She said she was canceling because she “do[es] not feel that the current climate at this beloved venue represents a welcoming space for myself, my band, or our audience.”
De Los Santos, who AP identified as a Mexican American, had been scheduled to perform the events for young people on Feb. 7. The report also described her as having received a Latin Grammy nomination in 2018 for her children’s album “¡Alegría!”
The Associated Press reported that De Los Santos shared her Instagram statement by email and said she would have no additional comment.
Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi challenged De Los Santos’ immigration-policy rationale. In an email to AP, Daravi wrote, “This country was built on legal immigrants and as a first generation American, I find her statement highly offensive,” and added, “Refusing to engage with an institution open to everyone is, in fact, a step towards discrimination.”
The cancellations come amid broader turmoil over the Kennedy Center’s leadership and direction. AP reported that artists including “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and rock star Peter Wolf have called off events at the venue since President Donald Trump ousted the previous leadership early last year and arranged for himself to head the board of trustees. AP also said Trump has highlighted the Kennedy Center in his fight against what he calls “woke” bias at cultural institutions.
AP reported that the board’s December decision to rebrand the venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center led to a new wave of cancellations. The report said scholars believe the change can only be enacted through Congress.
Among other withdrawals, AP reported that jazz musician Chuck Redd called off a planned Christmas Eve show, and that jazz group The Cookers withdrew from their New Year’s Eve concerts. Last week, AP said Grammy-winning banjo player Bela Fleck announced that he had canceled three scheduled appearances next month with the National Symphony Orchestra, writing on social media that playing at the center had become “charged and political.” AP reported that Ric Grenell, a diplomat and Trump ally appointed to lead the center, responded on X saying Fleck had “made it political and caved to the woke mob.”
AP also reported that withdrawals have included “Wicked” composer Stephen Schwartz, who had been expected to host an opera gala in the spring. The report said the variety show Asian AF had shows in May listed as canceled on the Kennedy Center website before being removed entirely, and that Daravi cited a “scheduling conflict” in the case. AP reported that a representative for Asian AF did not immediately respond to requests for comment.