The rockettes to perform at the Dons inauguration - Page 6

[SweetLips]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 3:09am

Following on from blm--the only people who should be watching, theoretically, are the people who voted for Him so doesn't really matter who does what--without duress.

For something like this-do the performers ask or are they asked?

The organisers have the right of refusal so to does the performer.

I won't be watching-rather see Chicago with Mel B

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 8:39am

MoDance0934 said: "... ^^^ my point by saying that you are all whiny liberals.

 

"

The Rockettes performed at George Bush's inauguration. We had no reason to protest that. We're not whining. If you can't see how democracy is crumbling around Trump's brand of fascism than you should take a history class. 

 

[EugLoven]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 1:06pm

STATE YOUR GRIEVANCES VIA EMAIL:
- (Producer) [e-mail]
- (Producer) [e-mail]
- (CEO of MSG) [e-mail]
- [e-mail]
OR VIA CALL:
- AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists) at 212-675-1003

The auto-reply from [e-mail] is as follows:

We received your email regarding the participation of the Radio City Rockettes in the upcoming presidential inauguration. 

The Radio City Rockettes, one of the most celebrated and enduring American brands, have performed at Radio City Music Hall since 1925. As treasured national icons, the Rockettes have taken part in some of the nation’s most defining and uniquely “American” events - such as Super Bowl halftime shows, the Rockefeller Center tree lighting celebration, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades and presidential inaugurations, including in 2001 and 2005.

We are honored that the Rockettes have again been asked to perform in the upcoming inauguration festivities, which represent not only the president, but the entire country.  Please be assured -- it is always a Radio City Rockettes choice to perform in a particular event and they are never forced to perform in any event, including the inaugural.  For a Rockette to be considered for an event, they must voluntarily sign up.  In fact, for this coming inauguration, we were oversubscribed, with more Rockettes’ requesting to participate than we have slots available. 

We are sorry you don't agree with who the country selected to be the next president, but we will be proudly watching our world-famous Radio City Rockettes at this historic event, as they continue their tradition of celebrating the very best of America.

Sincerely,
Joe Picco
The Madison Square Garden Company

To which I personally replied:

Dear Mr. Picco,
 

Your response (while appreciated for its timeliness in auto-reply) is sterilizing and discouraging in so many ways.
 

First and foremost is the disregard it appears you and MSG have in preserving the good name of the Radio City Rockettes.

You are 100% correct that the Radio City Rockettes are one of the "most celebrated and enduring" American brands. The Rockettes have carved their way into people's hearts and minds as a cultural institution that represents joy and celebration. It is because of this reputation that so many citizens (myself included) are confused and upset that the Rockettes would take such an enormous risk in destroying that reputation in participating in this presidential inauguration. The fact that so many performing artists have refused to participate should be indicative enough of how important it is to preserve a good name. Why isn't that a red flag for you?
 

You can list the Super Bowl, Rockefeller Tree Lighting, and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades as examples of the Rockettes providing their image to American events, and no one will argue that. But there is nothing American about this upcoming presidential inauguration. To use "air quotes" around the word "American" (as you did above) still does not come close to sufficing. What makes you and the Rockettes "honored" to participate? You say that you "proudly watching our world-famous Radio City Rockettes at this historic event, as they continue their tradition of celebrating the very best of America."

Please provide me a detailed list of what aspects of the "very best of America" are being celebrated with this presidential inauguration:
Is it the xenophobia that makes you proud to participate?
It is the misogyny that makes you proud to participate?
Is it the violent rhetoric against women that makes you proud to participate?
Is it the disrespect for veterans that makes you proud to participate?
Is it the racism that makes you proud to participate?
 

This is not the "very best of America." To pretend that the Rockettes' participation (voluntary or not) is acceptable is to normalize something that is far from normal. The majority of the American people, especially the New York City citizenship, do not see this inauguration as normal.

Your reputation as a brand (not the reputation of the individual dancers who may have volunteered already) is at stake. Do you understand that? While my family may be a handful of people, my network of NYC friends reaches into the thousands, and we all share the same conclusion: The Rockettes have lost our business. And you can bet that our voices of descent will reverberate over the next 12-months, when the Rockettes choose to high-kick at Radio City Music Hall next Christmas.

The respect your brand will lose in participating in this presidential inauguration is immeasurable. The respect your brand will gain by publicly refusing will be monumental.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 2:53pm

Brilliantly said, EugLoven! Would love to see what his reply, if he does, will say.

[JM226]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 4:11pm

speak with your wallet and not your meaningless posts on a message board. IF U DISAGREE WITH THIS DECISION, DO NOT PATRONIZE THE ROCKETTES OR MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN ANY WAY. it is that simple. this is a free country --- just as the company has a right to possibly jeopardize its brand with a (voluntary) performance, you also have the right to not give them any of your time or money.  ITS THAT SIMPLE

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 5:24pm

SPEAK WITH POSTS ON A MESSAGE BOARD IN ALL CAPS IF U SO CHOOSE.  IT IS THAT SIMPLE.  THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY.  IT IS THAT SIMPLE.  U HAVE A RIGHT 2 POST MEANINGLESS ALL CAPS POSTS ON THE MESSAGE BOARD OF UR CHOOSING LIKE JM226.  ITS [SIC] THAT SIMPLE.  IT IS THAT SIMPLE.  THAT SIMPLE IT IS.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 6:07pm

I believe the Union has backed down and said any dancer that does not want to dance will be excused. The Rockettes that choose to dance, well they may need to, being a dancer in NY is not easy. Everyone needs a paycheck. So this I can understand, and while I still don't agree, it's primarily important that a person shouldn't be forced to do what they deem immoral. (Like A Bakery baking or not baking a cake for a gay wedding)

I think also as someone may have previously stated, forcing a woman to dance in a hostile work environment violates EEOC codes.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 6:39pm

You guys are overreacting, it's not that big of a deal.

[cmassoud]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 8:18pm

It is though. It is a big deal, and people remaining upset about Trump instead of normalizing him is a good thing.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 9:39pm

I can't stand Trump either, but whining never got anything done.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 10:31pm

How is this whining? Refusing to perform is tangible action, not whining. 

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 10:50pm

adamgreer said: "How is this whining? Refusing to perform is tangible action, not whining. 

 

"

Sorry for not being clear, that's my fault. I was actually referring to cmassoud saying that people should stay upset with Trump.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/24/16 at 11:05pm

¿Macavity? said: "adamgreer said: "How is this whining? Refusing to perform is tangible action, not whining. 

 

"

Sorry for not being clear, that's my fault. I was actually referring to cmassoud saying that people should stay upset with Trump.

 

Oh, well then I agree with him. He's done nothing to indicate as of yet that we should "give him a chance" and I hope Democrats continue to fight him and his cronies every step of the way. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 12:23am

"Whining" is just the hip buzzword being used by those to cool to be angry about what's going on.  It's been over a week, so they've given up...Sorry..."moved on"...To other more important things like...Something...I don't know... But it involves whining at people they say are whining because they are discussing things they don't want to talk about.  And they've "moved on" to... Something.

Updated On: 12/25/16 at 12:23 AM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 12:27am

Whining and being upset aren't interchangeable 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 12:34am

Exactly.  But to say someone is whining makes you sound superior.  Like you have to parent and discipline those who aren't saying what you want.  It's very condescending.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 2:56am

Well I apologize if you feel condesended upon. I didn't mean to sound like I was. I don't believe I'm superior, not in anyway.

Jorge, in this case, in my opinion, it is. That's just my opinion, that's it.

I'm really sorry to have upset you all. I really am. Happy Holidays!

[cmassoud]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 3:23am

¿Macavity? said: "adamgreer said: "How is this whining? Refusing to perform is tangible action, not whining. 

 

"

Sorry for not being clear, that's my fault. I was actually referring to cmassoud saying that people should stay upset with Trump.

 

"

Because they should? Being vocally against a Trump presidency isn't just 'whining' but it's ok it's obvious where you're coming from and that there's no point in me trying to convince you of anything.

[JM226]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 9:43pm

WHO CARES 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 9:46pm

YOU DO.  YOU KEEP COMING BACK TO READ AND COMMENT JUST LIKE OTHERS.  EXCEPT IN ALL CAPS.  WHY DO YOU CARE IF OTHERS CARE?

[JM226]

Posted: 12/25/16 at 9:47pm

why do you care if i care why others care 

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 12/27/16 at 5:22pm

A Rockette Speaks Out:

http://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a24421/rockette-donald-trump-inauguration/

[GreenSharpie]

Posted: 1/4/17 at 12:38am

Marie Claire Gets Ahold of Tape in Which Executive Tells Rockettes to "Tolerate Intolerance"

http://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a24518/rockette-donald-trump-inauguration-james-dolan/

"Dolan made lengthy appeals to the employees gathered—some of whom were noticeably upset when speaking up and asking questions—that the Rockettes are a family.

'And you are diverse,' he said, 'as diverse as we can make the Rockettes while still holding up the standards of quality.'"
 

Wow this is absolutely disgusting. The Rockettes are maybe 10% POC, what is he saying?! I refuse to ever go to a Rockettes show after this debacle.

Updated On: 1/4/17 at 12:38 AM

[JennH]

Posted: 1/4/17 at 9:36am

Steve C. said: "I believe the Union has backed down and said any dancer that does not want to dance will be excused. The Rockettes that choose to dance, well they may need to, being a dancer in NY is not easy. Everyone needs a paycheck. So this I can understand, and while I still don't agree, it's primarily important that a person shouldn't be forced to do what they deem immoral. (Like A Bakery baking or not baking a cake for a gay wedding)

I think also as someone may have previously stated, forcing a woman to dance in a hostile work environment violates EEOC codes.

 

"

Incorrect. The OWNER, aka James Dolan, backed down. He's the one that put them up for this. The union, AGVA, is what fought for the ladies to not have to perform if they do chose. Owner and union are very different things. 

What I find interesting though, is that the part timers could legally back out but of course...try auditioning again and you'll find yourself on that unwritten blacklist, but it was argued that the full timers were contractually obligated to do every regularly scheduled performance...WHAT?? Since when is an inauguration (of any kind) a regularly scheduled performace?? It something that happens every 4 or 8 years! So there was their "out clause" to begin with. It is NOT a regularly scheduled performance and even if it were, they wouldn't have been blind sided by being told by Dolan that "oh yeah, I'm having y'all perform at the inauguration". I would have been in another contract already. 

Apart from everything else, Trump better realize, and QUICKLY, that his own city is against him. Always have been, always will be. 

[JennH]

Posted: 1/4/17 at 9:46am

And Green Sharpie, why would you boycott them over something their idiot owner said? It's not their fault he's an idiot...