Low Cut Connie, the Philadelphia rock and soul band fronted by Adam Weiner, has canceled a scheduled March 19 concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., citing President Trump’s takeover of the formerly non-partisan arts venue.
“I was very excited to perform as part of this wonderful institution’s Social Impact series, which emphasizes community, joy, justice and equity through the arts. 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,” Weiner wrote on Instagram.
He cited Low Cut Connie’s diverse fan base, which includes members of the LGBTQ community and people of varying faiths. “Many of these folks will be directly negatively affected by this Administration’s policies and messaging,” he wrote. “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.”
Weiner closed by acknowledging the fallout he could potentially face. “Maybe my career will suffer from this decision,” he wrote, “but my soul will be the better for it.”
Last week, Trump said he would be ousting board of trustees members at the Kennedy Center and installing himself as chairman. That happened on Wednesday when a new board of Trump faithful — including deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, Second Lady Usha Vance, and “God Bless the U.S.A.” country singer and Bible salesman Lee Greenwood — voted to replace former chair David Rubenstein with Trump. Consequently, Ben Folds resigned as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra. Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy and the Kennedy Center board’s treasurer, also resigned.
In 2023, Low Cut Connie released the documentary Art Dealers, a companion piece to the album of the same name. The film looked at the community fostered by the band and highlighted Weiner’s Jewish faith. In an interview with RS, he talked about the persecution of both Jews and Palestinians.
“By and large the world generally hates both of us, Jews and Palestinians. Ultimately, they don’t really want us in their countries. It’s the kind of prejudice that can either harden you to violence, or turn you into an artist, someone who paints the world from the margins,” he said. “I hope for more art, and less violence. Art can heal and connect us. Violence only destroys. Art can lead the way forward, if we let it.”
Low Cut Connie are set to perform in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philly, on Feb. 27.
