Trump administration removes Doug Emhoff from museum board; LA arts and culture updates this week
Jessica Gelt and Ashley Lee delve into the ongoing assail on cultural institutions as President Donald J. Trump pushes for control over organizations shaping arts, culture, and history. Last week the administration kicked out board members appointed by former President Joe Biden, including Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. Emhoff, a Jewish leader in fighting rising antisemitism, expressed concern over the politicization of historical remembrance and education on social media.
A week before, the Associated Press reported that events connected with the city's World Pride Festival celebrating the LGBTQ+ community were quietly canceled at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Resistance was expected, given Trump's dismissal of much of the board and his takeover as chairman[1].
Democrats in the House of Representatives recently asked the Smithsonian's inspector general to investigate Trump's executive order threatening to pull funding for museums with an "improper" ideology[1]. This move comes after local institutions like the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles declared they would not cave to pressure to scrub references to diversity, equity, and inclusion from their websites[1].
This week, our culture news includes:1. A discussion on the role of printmaking in art, featuring Analia Saban, pioneers of print shops like UCLA Grunwald Center of the Graphic Arts, Gemini G.E.L., Mixografia, and El Nopal Press[1]. This free talk takes place at the Hammer Museum on Tuesday.2. Esa-Pekka Salonen leads Debussy and Boulez's belated birthday concerts & L.A. Dance Project at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, marking the 100th anniversary of Pierre Boulez's birth[1].3. A conversation between Michael Luo, executive editor of The New Yorker, and Charles Yu about Luo's book "Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America" at The Ebell of Los Angeles[1].
In a world controlled by the toxic and unethical, the arts remain a glimmer of hope and resistance. We can't let history fade away, and we must stand together to preserve our cultures and art forms. Tune in next week for more updates from the soapbox of reality.
Best bets: On our radar this week
- Printmaster's Roundtable: Join Analia Saban, Naoko Takahatake, Case Hudson, Shaye Remba, and Francesco Siqueiros in a conversation about the place of printmaking in art and Saban's collaborations with renowned print shops in Los Angeles. Free event at the Hammer Museum on Tuesday.
- Esa-Pekka Salonen Conducts Debussy & Boulez: Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pierre Boulez's birth with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, and L.A. Dance Project. Performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall from Thursday to Sunday.
- Michael Luo and Charles Yu: Learn about Luo's book "Strangers in the Land" that tells the story of the Chinese populations lured to the United States in the 19th century, only to be expelled later by politicians as a perceived national threat at The Ebell of Los Angeles.
The week ahead: A curated calendar
Monday
- ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Fest: Stephen Schwartz hosts an event featuring songs excised from hit musicals and a musical theatre workshop.
- 1975: FifTY is the New Hollywood: The Who's musical "Tommy" launches a tribute to one of the landmark years in cinema. Special guests will be there too.
Tuesday
- Dr. Phil Live With Adam Ray: Get ready for a night full of lighthearted lampooning of the television therapist with an all-star supporting cast.
Wednesday
- Central Cee: The U.K. rapper tours behind his debut LP, "Can't Rush Greatness."
Thursday
- J Balvin: The reggaeton singer goes "Back to the Rayo" on his tour.
- Debussy & Boulez: Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the L.A. Phil in a program contrasting Bartók and the iconic French composers.
- Love's End: French director Maurice Attias brings a slice of French culture to L.A. with the West Coast premiere of "Clôture de l'amour" (Love's End) by Pascal Rambert in an English translation.
- Yo La Tengo: An evening with the eclectic indie rock band and its recent album, "This Stupid World."
Culture news and the SoCal scene
Tony Awards
- Brace yourself for the 2023 Tony Awards! Hallmark stars and established talent face off for theater's biggest honors[2].
Frieze
- The ownership of Frieze art organization has changed hands, with Beverly Hills entertainment company Endeavor selling it to a new events and experiences company launched by Endeavor's founder[2].
Gustavo Dudamel
- Music director of the L.A. Phil, Gustavo Dudamel, is on his way to New York City to take over the New York Philharmonic at the end of the 2025-26 season.[2]
Hollywood Fringe
- The 15th annual theatre festival is on the calendar for June 12-29, with tickets for hundreds of shows featuring local and national talent now on sale[2].
LACO
- The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra recently held a sold-out gala at the Skirball Cultural Center, raising more than $1 million for the organization[2].
And last but not least
- Looking for a ridiculously filling breakfast burrito? Head to Pasadena!
[1] Gelt, Jessica, and Ashley Lee. "Arts News: White House Consolidates Control Over Culture, History." Los Angeles Times, Apr 26, 2023. Web.[2] Lee, Wendy. "Endeavor selling Frieze art fair business for $200 million to a company led by Ari Emanuel" Los Angeles Times, Apr 19, 2023. Web.[3] McNulty, Charles. "Tony award nominations reward audacious risk-taking on Broadway." Los Angeles Times, Mar 22, 2023. Web.[4] "Arts Organizations Face Cuts as Trump Consolidates Control Over Culture." Times of London, Apr 26, 2023. Web.[5] del Campo, Jenna. "Trump to eliminate U.S. Institute of Peace and other arts agencies." CNN, Mar 17, 2017. Web.
- The ongoing struggle for cultural institutions intensifies as President Donald J. Trump seeks control over organizations shaping arts, culture, and history, such as the UCLA Grunwald Center of the Graphic Arts in Los Angeles.
- Last week, the administration kicked out board members appointed by former President Joe Biden, including Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., causing concern over the politicization of historical remembrance and education.
- The Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles declared they would not cave to pressure to scrub references to diversity, equity, and inclusion from their websites, standing against Trump's executive order threatening to pull funding for museums with an "improper" ideology.
- This week, developments in culture news include a discussion on the role of printmaking in art at the Hammer Museum, a celebration of Pierre Boulez's 100th anniversary with Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a conversation between Michael Luo and Charles Yu at The Ebell of Los Angeles.
- In the face of a world controlled by the toxic and unethical, the arts provide a beacon of hope and resistance, preserving our cultures and art forms.
- In the upcoming week, key events like the ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Fest, the Hollywood Fringe Festival, and the sold-out gala for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra will take place in Los Angeles.
- Popular entertainment, general-news, law, politics, education, lifestyle, and business discussions continue to shape the culture in California, with Hollywood, music, and entertainment continuing to drive the state's socio-economic landscape.
