A Petition Seeks to Cancel San Francisco Ballet's Performance at Trump Renamed Kennedy Center Due to the Former President's Involvement.
The San Francisco Ballet is opening its 2026 season amidst controversy, with a petition urging the company to cancel its planned performance at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The move comes after the center's name was changed to include President Donald Trump's involvement, sparking outrage among artists and organizations that have cancelled performances.
The ballet is set to perform at the Kennedy Center as part of a tour schedule that includes stops in Scotland and other locations beyond California. However, some fans and supporters are calling for a boycott of the D.C. performance due to the former president's affiliation with the venue.
A petition started by Daniel Detorie has gathered nearly 2,500 signatures from those who want to avoid the company's performance at the center. Detorie is an avid supporter of the San Francisco Ballet, having attended performances for over 50 years. He claims that his petition is not a boycott but rather a statement from supporters who care deeply about the organization.
The ballet's leadership has responded by focusing on the company's artistic mission and the upcoming season's performances, which include productions centered around the city of San Francisco and themes relevant to today's society.
The situation highlights the growing divide between the arts community and those involved in politics. As the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra is celebrated, the organization faces a significant challenge in balancing its artistic ambitions with the controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center's name change.
The San Francisco Ballet is opening its 2026 season amidst controversy, with a petition urging the company to cancel its planned performance at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The move comes after the center's name was changed to include President Donald Trump's involvement, sparking outrage among artists and organizations that have cancelled performances.
The ballet is set to perform at the Kennedy Center as part of a tour schedule that includes stops in Scotland and other locations beyond California. However, some fans and supporters are calling for a boycott of the D.C. performance due to the former president's affiliation with the venue.
A petition started by Daniel Detorie has gathered nearly 2,500 signatures from those who want to avoid the company's performance at the center. Detorie is an avid supporter of the San Francisco Ballet, having attended performances for over 50 years. He claims that his petition is not a boycott but rather a statement from supporters who care deeply about the organization.
The ballet's leadership has responded by focusing on the company's artistic mission and the upcoming season's performances, which include productions centered around the city of San Francisco and themes relevant to today's society.
The situation highlights the growing divide between the arts community and those involved in politics. As the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra is celebrated, the organization faces a significant challenge in balancing its artistic ambitions with the controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center's name change.
. I think it's understandable why people would want to avoid supporting a venue that has been tainted by politics, but at the same time, you've got to consider the artistic side of things 
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. Now this Trump fella's all over everything and it's just weird. I mean, I get why some people are upset but come on, can't we just put the past behind us? I've seen some of those San Francisco Ballet performances live back in the 90s and they were always top-notch 
. It's a shame this controversy is bringing down the company like this 
.
The fact that some people are boycotting their performance at the Kennedy Center is pretty extreme, but I also don't blame them if they're super upset about it. I mean, who wants to support a venue that's named after someone with such a big controversy surrounding him? 
The center was called that before and nobody said anything, but now suddenly its all controversial? 
its just a bunch of drama over nothing. I mean i love the san francisco ballet too, but come on, lets focus on the art not the politics... 
it's like they're trying to stir up drama wherever they go... 2500 signatures is nothing compared to all the people who love that ballet and would still wanna watch 'em perform. 
like what's next? are we just gonna ignore the drama he caused and just perform for the sake of performing? 
. Can't we just appreciate the dance?" 
The ballet is an amazing company and I love their performances. I've been following them for years and I'm excited to see what they have planned for this season.
The Kennedy Center is an iconic venue that brings so much culture and entertainment to the city. Canceling performances just because of politics seems like a step backward to me.
. I mean, I get it, Trump's involvement is sketchy, but like, come on! The ballet's gotta do what it does best – dance, right? 
And, dude, 2500 signatures? Like, yeah, that's a lot of people care deeply, but isn't that kinda proof that they wanna see them perform?! 
The arts are all about freedom of expression and not being too sensitive, right?
... Another instance where art and politics clash. I mean, what's next? Cancelling performances at Trump Stadium because of his, you know... The thing is, some people are really upset about this, but others think it's a big deal. Like, who gets to decide what's acceptable in the arts world? 
. Just another day in the world where everything is just... complicated 
. But doesn't this kind of thing just fuel more division and drama in the arts world? 
the ballets doing just fine they should be able to perform anywhere they want 2000+ people can't dictate their freedom of expression 
but at the same time i get why some ppl might feel uneasy about trump's involvement lets just focus on the art, shall we? 