Cancellation of Sonia de los Santos’ Performance at the Kennedy Center

Singer-songwriter Sonia de los Santos has canceled her upcoming performance at the Trump John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, citing President Donald Trump’s involvement as a reason.

She was originally scheduled to perform two concerts for children on February 7th, as reported by the Associated Press.

De los Santos announced her decision on Instagram, stating that the center no longer felt like a “welcome place”.

“As an artist, I value the freedom to create and share my music,” de los Santos expressed. “For years, I’ve used this privilege to uplift immigrant stories in this country. Unfortunately, I don’t think the current situation at this beloved venue is a welcoming space for me, my band, or our audience.”

Kennedy Center spokeswoman Roma Daravi responded critically, saying, “This country is built on legal immigrants, and as a first-generation American, I find her comments extremely offensive. Refusing to engage with an institution that’s open to everyone moves toward discrimination.”

De los Santos, a relatively lesser-known children’s performer originally from Mexico, was previously a member of the Grammy Award-winning group Dan Zane and Friends before pursuing a solo career. She received a Latin Grammy nomination last year and has also worked with the Grammy-winning Americana duo the Okee Dokie Brothers in a bilingual show called “Somos Amigos.”

Her cancellation comes on the heels of banjoist Béla Fleck, who also pulled out of a show scheduled for mid-February. Fleck stated, “I have declined a scheduled performance with the NSO at the Kennedy Center. An institution that should focus on music has become politicized,” in a post from January 7.

Both de los Santos and Fleck are part of a growing list of artists who have canceled appearances at the Kennedy Center. Others include actress Issa Rae, The Cookers, Christy Lee, Chuck Redd, Doug Vallone, and various dancers.

In February, President Trump took over the management of the Kennedy Center and appointed himself as chair of the theater’s board. In December, the Kennedy Center Board of Directors unanimously voted to add Trump’s name to the building, provoking further discontent from left-leaning individuals.