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Shakira performs on the balcony of TSX Broadway on Times Square in New York, March 26, 2024
The singer cited logistical problems with moving her tour from Boston to Washington, D.C.
Shakira has canceled her concert at WorldPride that was scheduled for Saturday.
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She was to perform at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., as part of the opening festivities for WorldPride. She cited logistical problems with transporting the equipment for her tour from Boston, where she had canceled a concert that was set for Thursday.
“Because of the unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances that affected me and other artists in Boston, my full tour production is not able to be moved to Washington, D.C. in time for my scheduled performance on Saturday,” the singer said in a statement posted on the Nationals Park website. “I have been counting the days, excited to be reunited with my fans in both Washington and Boston, and my team and I have made every effort to make it happen, but it doesn’t depend on any one of us right now, and I am devastated that these shows were just not possible this time. I promise that I will do everything in my power to be with you as soon I can. Thank you for your support in these difficult circumstances.”
Shakira’s Boston concert had been set for Fenway Park, and country artists Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn had been scheduled to perform there Friday. But “the staging fell apart during rehearsal on Thursday,” Boston TV station WCVB reports. Ticket seller Live Nation and Boston Inspectional Services had both said the stage setup did not meet safety standards, according to the station.
WorldPride posted a statement on its website reiterating Shakira’s points and adding, “Like Shakira’s fans and our friends and family who have traveled from around the world to join us in DC this weekend, we are deeply disappointed that unforeseen circumstances have forced the cancellation of both this week’s concert in Boston and tomorrow’s concert at Nationals Park. But WorldPride will absolutely continue as planned! This weekend remains packed with programming for the entire community.”
These include a welcome party, drag show, display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and a sports festival. D.C.’s Capital Pride Alliance, which is hosting WorldPride, promised to release information on a new venue for the opening celebration as soon as possible. The Advocate has requested further comment from Capital Pride Executive Director Ryan Bos but has not yet received a response.
Refunds will be issued automatically for Ticketmaster and Nationals.com purchases, according to Shakira’s statement. Those who bought tickets through third-party resellers such as StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats will have to contact those organizations directly.
Some other WorldPride events have been canceled or moved for political reasons. After Donald Trump took over the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and stocked its board with loyalists, a WorldPride appearance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington was canceled. Then Capital Pride moved some events from the center after it became clear it was an inhospitable environment, organizers said.
