Thread: The Rockettes and Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Perform at Trump Inaugural

Fri Dec 30, 2016 | 2:18pm EST

Mormon Tabernacle Choir member resigns rather than sing for Trump

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The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings at the first session of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' 185th Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah April 4, 2015. REUTERS/George Frey

A member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has resigned over its plan to sing at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, and more than 22,000 people have signed a petition opposing the choir's participation.

Jan Chamberlin resigned after five years with the choir, which originates from Utah, over the Jan. 20 ceremony, saying it "will appear that (the) Choir is endorsing tyranny and fascism by singing for this man."

With three weeks to go before Trump is sworn in, teen classical singer Jackie Evancho is the only celebrity to have unequivocally embraced her role in an inauguration ceremony marked by soul-searching by larger invited groups, and fan backlash.

The 1960s pop group, The Beach Boys, is considering an invitation to perform but has yet to make a final decision, a spokesman for the band said on Friday.

"I simply cannot continue with the recent turn of events. I could never look myself in the face again," Chamberlin wrote in a resignation letter that she posted on Facebook on Thursday.

A separate petition on change.org started by Randall Thacker, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had gathered more than 22,000 signatures on Friday.

The petition says the participation of the Tabernacle Choir in Trump's inauguration does not reflect the Church's values and would harm its worldwide image.

The Church says taking part in the inauguration is voluntary, and notes that the Tabernacle Choir, which hails from Salt Lake City, Utah, has sung at such celebrations for five previous Republican presidents.

Church spokesman Eric Hawkins said on Friday public response to the inauguration plans "has been mixed, with people expressing both opposition and support.

The Choir’s participation... is not an implied support of party affiliations or politics. It is a demonstration of our support for freedom, civility and the peaceful transition of power."

Some dancers in the Radio City Rockettes were also unhappy at performing.

"We do a lot of events, but there have been no events that could cause trauma. And doing this would cause trauma for some people," one Rockettes dancer said this week, speaking anonymously with Marie Claire magazine.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli suffered a fan backlash on social media after reports that he was planning to sing for Trump. Bocelli and country singer Garth Brooks both backed out of performing at the inauguration.

Organizers have denied they are struggling to recruit big names for the ceremony.

"This is not Woodstock," Trump aide Boris Epshteyn told CNN this week. "It's not about celebrities. As Donald Trump tweeted himself, it's about the people."

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...e=politicsNews

So be it. If someone doesn't want to go let them decide but the media loves this kind of news doesn't it?

by JEROME HUDSON
2 Jan 2017

A retired member of the world-famous Rockettes dance troupe is encouraging its members to set aside their political differences and proudly perform at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

“The only thing the Rockettes should be focused on is performing for our nation and helping unite us all with the joy, love, beauty and strength for which they are famous,” says Patty DeCarlo Grantham, a veteran member of the renowned troupe.

Grantham, who’s president of the 552-member Rockette Alumnae Association, says she was appalled by backlash and calls encouraging Rockettes to boycott the inaugural event.

“To perform for someone that represents everything that we, as women, have ever had to overcome is contrary to everything we know to be right and true,” former Rockette Autumn Withers wrote last week, The Wrap reported.

“On a national level, the optics of this alone normalize the atrocious remarks Mr. Trump has openly made towards women,” Withers continued. “The idea that if you simply ask their bosses or perhaps pay their bosses enough money, a line of beautiful women will oblige anyone in any way is exploitation.”

Grantham, responding to Withers, wrote to the Madison Square Garden Co., which owns Radio City Music Hall.

“We are all aware how contentious this election has been for our country,” Grantham wrote, assuring MSG owner James Dolan “that in no way does Ms. Withers’ opinions reflect the opinion of the Rockette Alumnae Association.”

Madison Square Garden Company released a statement last week confirming that the high-kicking dancers are not obligated to perform and that each Rockette “must voluntarily sign up.”

“Like the millions of people who are true Rockette fans, we cannot wait to see the Rockettes proudly ‘strut their stuff’ for the upcoming inauguration of the President of the United States of America,” wrote Grantham, who performed as a Rockette from 1959 through 1970.

The Rockettes last performed at President George W. Bush’s presidential inauguration in 2005. The iconic dance troupe will join previously announced performers the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and teenage opera singer Jackie Evancho at the event on January 20.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywo...unite-america/

The ladies earn their living by showing a lot of leg, kind of hypocritical to be insulted by performing for President Trump's inaugural. Seems the MTchoir has a member that wants to have his name in the news - who cares @ him!