SCOOP: Kennedy Center under President Trump and Ric Grenell posts record turnout

THE LOWDOWN:

• New Kennedy Center numbers exclusively obtained by the Washington Reporter illustrate the impact President Trump and Ric Grenell are having on the performing arts center.

• The Kennedy Center’s regularly scheduled programming, such as performances from Seán Heely and Akram Khan, saw hundreds of visitors flock to the shows.

• Both artists underscore what Grenell told the Reporter in an interview: his desire to make sure the Kennedy Center is open to everyone.

• The iconic arts center will play a critical role in America’s 250th birthday celebrations being spearheaded by President Trump.

Under President Donald Trump and Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell, the nation’s premiere performing arts center continues to post record attendance numbers.

The Washington Reporter exclusively obtained the Kennedy Center’s latest figures and the numbers illustrate a marquis performance of the highest accolades.

The iconic arts center will play a critical role in America’s 250th birthday celebrations being spearheaded by President Trump. However, the Kennedy Center’s regularly scheduled programming, such as performances from Seán Heely and Akram Khan, saw hundreds of visitors flock to the shows.

Heely’s attendance more than tripled the expected capacity for similar shows, while Khan saw the Kennedy Center filled almost to the brim, hitting approximately 80 percent capacity, according to the figures.

Heely’s show saw over 625 attendees at the Millennium Stage — a stage normally housing 200 seats.

“People were standing behind the velvet rope line and lining the stairs around the stage,” a source told the Reporter. “Ushers were using every available space for the Millennium Stage to seat the overflow of patrons for this show.”

Heely, a local artist to the DC area, performs Scottish music and sings in Scottish Gaelic. About 70 percent of the audience told Heely that they were new to him and the Kennedy Center. Khan, meanwhile, sold almost 1,000 tickets.

Joining Heely over the weekend was Khan, who performs the Indian classical dance form kathak, along with contemporary movement.

Both artists underscore what Grenell told the Reporter in a recent interview: his desire to make sure the Kennedy Center is open to everyone.

These successes precede several upcoming shows that are already sold out, including Sounds of the Arab World: A Celebration from Taarab to Pop featuring Nibal Malshi, AFreeSymphony, and Extraordinary Cinema: I’m Still Here.