The Center cancels Kathy Griffin show

The Center for the Arts released this statement on its Facebook page:

Kathy Griffin’s Celebrity Run-Ins appearance in Grass Valley, CA on June 16, 2017 has been cancelled. ​Ticket holders will receive a full refund from the box office by close of business Friday, June 2. Please do not contact the box office unless you wish to donate your tickets back to The Center to help offset costs.

Julie Baker, Executive Director writes, “We do not condone the recent photos published by Ms. Griffin. It was our intention to bring a comedy show to Grass Valley. We bring a wide variety of arts and entertainment to our community and we booked Kathy Griffin’s Celebrity Run-Ins because we felt now more than ever we needed a good laugh.

Unfortunately, due to recent actions for which she has publicly apologized, we have received hundreds of angry and threatening emails and phone calls including threats to the Vets Hall building and our community. While we support Ms Griffin’s public apology we cannot in good faith put our patrons, staff, volunteers, or the artist at risk. We wholeheartedly support free speech but in light of this situation, our first priority must be public safety and we feel it is in the best interest of our community of which we serve, to cancel this event. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.”