Ottawa musician cancels Kennedy Center concert to protest Donald Trump

Article content

Ottawa singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume has pulled out of what would have been a landmark gig as a way to protest the actions of United States president Donald Trump. 

Invited last fall to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on April 5, Rheaume got cold feet when she learned that Trump had taken over the cultural institution in the American capitol. 

Article content

“I’m horrified by everything that’s happening and when I saw that he had appointed himself chairman, I was like, ‘There’s no way I can do this,’ Rheaume said in an interview. “I’m a queer woman and I just don’t feel good about it. 

“It’s the lack of humanity in so many different ways,” she explained, “whether it’s against gender or 2SLGBTQ+ people or Ukraine or Gaza or the deportations or even the whole 51st state thing. This is not okay and it feels important to be taking a stance.” 

As part of an effort to crack down on “woke” programming, Trump replaced the 18 members of the Kennedy Center’s board with supporters who promptly appointed him their chairman. 

In the aftermath of the takeover, actress Issa Rae was the first major entertainer to withdraw her services, explaining the cancellation of her sold-out show with a post on Instagram. She wrote that she believes Trump’s action is “an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums.” 

Singer-songwriter-composer Ben Folds and opera singer Renee Fleming have also said they are stepping down as artistic advisers. 

Article content

For Rheaume, the cancellation represents a financial loss close to $1,700, money spent for her and two side musicians to rejoin the musicians’ union (after their membership lapsed during the pandemic), and apply for a P2 visa to allow them to work in the States. She said the fee from the gig would have covered those costs. 

Arguably, a bigger blow is the loss of the bragging rights that come with an invitation to perform in the prestigious American venue. Rheaume has been an independent recording artist for more than 20 years. 

“It’s taken me that long to even get approached by a venue like that,” she said. “It’s a world-renowned venue and cancelling it was no joke. To do the show and then to be able to write it on my resume would have been really important for an artist like me.” 

Rheaume, who’s also a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario and co-owner of Ishkode Records, would normally be planning the label’s annual trip to Nashville to showcase at Americanafest in September. This year, it may not be in the cards. 

“It’s one of the most creative and exciting and important places to go to keep a music career going,” she said. “But I don’t know if we’re going to go this year. I’m not sure.”

Rheaume’s sixth album, The Truth We Hold, inspired by her Métis heritage, is due for release April 11. She plays a hometown show at National Arts Centre’s Azrieli Studio on May 8 as part of the Empowering Women in the Music Industry conference, presented by Ottawa’s Axé Worldfest.

[email protected]

Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.

Share this article in your social network