The Main Gossip: Opera Packs Up and Other Shenanigans!

Oh, sweetie, you won't believe the drama unfolding down at the Kennedy Center! The Washington National Opera, bless their hearts, just up and left their longtime home after *fifty-plus years*!

Can you imagine? It's like leaving your favorite armchair after all that time. And it’s not just them, no, no, no. It seems a whole host of artists are running for the hills, kicking up a fuss about new policies and, well, changes. Back in my day, people just stayed put!

Grandma’s Sarcastic Reactions: The Nerve of Some People!

Honestly, the things they come up with these days! The Kennedy Center’s new executive director, Richard Grenell, is out there on social media, Twitter or 'X' or whatever they call it, blaming the artists! He claims they cut ties, not the other way around. Well, I never!

That's what he said about Béla Fleck, the banjo player! Can you believe the cheek? It seems some folks just can't handle a little artistic integrity, always having to stir the pot, don't you think?

Clarifying What Actually Happened: A Tangle of Tales

So, here’s the skinny, from what I hear. The Washington National Opera says the Kennedy Center’s new rules are just awful for their finances, forcing them to pay for everything upfront. How can a creative bunch secure funds years in advance for grants and donations? It just doesn’t make sense, darling!

And then there's the little matter of the name change. President Donald Trump became the chairman of the board in February 2025, and by December, they decided to add his name to the center! The Trump-appointed board members voted for it, even though Congress hasn't even approved it yet. Imagine that!

• Hamilton's producer, Jeffrey Seller, pulled their show, citing a new