World Pride opening concert: Shakira's performance called off unexpectedly due to technical problems.
Shakira's D.C. Pride Performance Scrapped Over Equipment Fiasco
By ASHRAF KHALIL
WASHINGTON - Here's the lowdown on the ol' Shakira fiasco: The Colombian pop queen, headlining for the World Pride 2025 in our beloved capital, has abruptly called it quits.
Yep, you heard it right. One day before the festival kicked off, Shakira cancelled, citing some tricky equipment predicaments[1][2]. To put it bluntly, it's a mess. The Capital Pride Alliance - the main organizer for the event - shared their dismay in a statement yesterday. The Alliance had scheduled Shakira to rock the opening ceremony at Nationals Park on Saturday night[1].
So, what went down? Well, it all started with some complications during her Boston concert at Fenway Park on Thursday night. Guess what happened? You guessed it - they had to call it off too[1][2]. They even put the brakes on Jason Aldean's Friday night concert there.
Apparently, the issues with Shakira's tour production couldn't be transported to D.C. in time for the Nationals Park gig. Dang, talk about a bummer[1]. The Alliance said they tried their darnedest to make it work, but it just wasn't possible.
But hey, not all is lost. The World Pride festivities aren't gone for good. The Capital Pride Alliance stated that the full lineup of citywide events is still on for the opening weekend[1]. So, where's the new location for the kickoff ceremony, you ask? Well, they're gonna let us know as soon as they tighten up the details.
Now, you might be wondering about the impact this has on the Capital Pride Alliance. To be honest, this is just another hiccup for them. Truth be told, they'd already anticipated some international attendance drop-offs due to Trump's policies concerning the LGBTQ+ community[1].
You see, international LGBTQ+ organizations like Eagle Canada and the African Human Rights Coalition have already issued warnings about traveling to the U.S., fearing trans or nonbinary individuals would run into trouble at customs[1]. There were even fears of harassment, causing some to boycott the events[1].
But a silver lining? Domestic mobilization rallies are gaining momentum, with some encouraging the LGBTQ+ community to flood the capital to make their presence felt. The Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director, Ryan Bos, even hinted that they'll be installing security fencing around the final two-day concert and rally on a multi-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue[1].
So, what about those hotel reservations over the final World Pride weekend? Recent numbers were initially down from the previous year. But a spokesperson revealed they've seen a last-minute surge, especially among the national community[1]. A surge, you ask? Yeah, folks seem to be galvanized by concerns about international attendance, and they're eager to show their support.
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In the midst of Shakira's equipment issues causing the cancellation of her performance at World Pride 2025's opening ceremony in Washington D.C., fans can still look forward to experiencing Seattle's vibrant entertainment scene. The city offers a wide variety of music events that cater to diverse tastes, making it a perfect destination for those seeking an alternative to the capital.
