The Kennedy Center in the District of Columbia will be cloaked in red, white and blue lights each night as a patriotic tribute to the nation, the performing arts institution announced Tuesday.
“The lights are a beautiful reminder of the American spirit. The red, white and blue colors are a powerful symbol of unity and our nation’s commitment to bringing people together. What better place for that than at the Kennedy Center, America’s institution for the arts?” Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president of public relations, said in a release.
Before, the lights at the center were normally plain white, though they shone in colors of the rainbow to match the ribbons given out at the 40th Kennedy Center Honors in 2017.
The lights were also changed to purple and amber in 2020 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of women getting the right to vote, according to WTOP-FM.
The new light colors come on the heels of other changes at the Kennedy Center. President Trump took over as chairman of the arts center in February and appointed his envoy for special missions, Ric Grenell, as its president.
Conversely, a number of board of trustees members were removed, including David Rubenstein, the previous chairman.
That in turn has prompted several music acts to cancel their planned performances at the Kennedy Center, including the Broadway musical “Hamilton.”
