No. of Recommendations: 10
...for a 250th anniversary celebration, instead of Donny's pathetic, self-indulgent and expensive SHIT-SHOW!
I worked at Smithsonian, specifically raising money for 250th. What I want people to know is we secured millions of private philanthropy to host a month long Folklife Festival on the mall, “The Festival of Festivals.” Was going to feature well known festivals, think Burning Man, Farm Aid, Grand Ole Oprey etc. as well as smaller local and regional festivals from across the U.S. and territories. Goal was to feature truly the best and most beautiful creative expression in music, dance, arts and craft traditions, food, community etc. Can’t name names but plan was to have headliners every night for free concerts.... Think the types of names who might be affiliated with the aforementioned large festivals. Stars were willing to perform because was under banner of Smithsonian. It had to all be scrapped because the administration would not release permits to host on the mall. The money went elsewhere, but our nation was robbed of what would have been a once in a generation cultural moment.
From NYT:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival Gives Way to Trump's Patriotic Fair
The summer festival, held annually since 1967, will not take place as usual on the National Mall, which will instead host the president's Great American State Fair.
The Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Festival, held in Washington every summer since 1967, will not take place this summer in its usual spot on the National Mall, which instead will be used for President Trump’s Great American State Fair.
The Folklife Festival, the Smithsonian’s oldest and largest public event, “honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them,” according to the institution’s website. Typically, the festival brings artisans, performers and speakers from all around the country to the Mall for several weeks around July 4.
Everything Trump Touches Turns To Shit.
