President Trump’s favored celebrations in Washington for the 250th anniversary of American independence — which have undergone frequent changes in recent weeks — now face competition in Los Angeles.
The alt-rock band Smashing Pumpkins and outlaw country star Chris Stapleton will perform at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on July 4, according to an announcement by America250 on Monday.
The congressional-established nonprofit America250 has been overseeing official planning for the nation’s semiquincentennial since before Trump created his own group, Freedom 250, in December.
The Los Angeles event, titled America’s Block Party, will feature Queen Latifah as host and promote “Giving 4th,” America250’s charitable initiative. Tickets are priced at $17.76, with additional performers to be announced.
“As we celebrate our 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity to bring Americans together around the values that continue to unite us,” said Rosie Rios, a former Treasury official during the Obama administration who chairs America250.
America250 has also scheduled “block party” events in Charleston, S.C., Fort Campbell, Ky., New York, and Milwaukee.
Other anniversary-related events have emerged nationwide. “One Philly: Unity Concert for America,” a free July 4 concert in Philadelphia organized by the city, will feature Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jill Scott, the Roots, Seal, and Wanda Sykes.
Last Sunday, the Ultimate Fighting Championship hosted mixed martial arts matches on the White House lawn for Trump’s 80th birthday, loosely connected to the 250th anniversary.
The America250 announcement highlights ongoing confusion surrounding official anniversary plans. Last month, Freedom 250 announced performers for its Great American State Fair — a World’s Fair-style event on the National Mall running June 25 to July 10, displacing the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival.
However, many artists who were initially announced for the fair — including Martina McBride, Young MC, the Commodores, Morris Day, and Bret Michaels of Poison — withdrew shortly after the lineup was revealed.
Several artists claimed they were misled about the event being nonpartisan. Trump criticized the departing performers as “overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain,” and announced a “Rally to End All Rallies” on June 24 instead.
Trump later shifted the rally to July 4, though he confirmed Greenwood and tenor Christopher Macchio would still perform on June 24.
Freedom 250, a subsidiary of the National Park Foundation, describes itself as nonpartisan but has faced criticism for offering donor perks, including access to Trump, and aligning events with the president’s agenda.
Seven states have declined to participate in the Great American State Fair, citing budget concerns.
America250 did not mention Trump or the disruptions in Washington when announcing its concert series.
“This is a chance to celebrate a once-in-a-generation milestone,” Queen Latifah said, “with great music, real energy and a purpose that reaches far beyond the stadium.”
