Capleton concert now at El Rey

After having his Monday night performance at the House of Blues canceled because of protests by the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, reggae singer Capleton has switched venues and will perform at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles instead, a spokesman for the promoters said Friday.

Capleton, who received a Grammy nomination in 2003, had been scheduled to sing at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, but the club backed out this week after the Gay and Lesbian Center’s chief executive officer, Lorri L. Jean, voiced objections to the appearance on grounds that lyrics in some of his songs “call for the ‘burning’ and ‘shooting’ of gay men and lesbians.”

On Friday, a spokesman for promoters Jamie Koz and Quie Anthony said they had arranged for Capleton to move his show to the El Rey. Neither the promoters nor the Gay and Lesbian Center could be reached for comment.

Capleton is one of several reggae and dancehall artists, including Beenie Man, Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton, to come under fire recently for lyrics that describe violence against gays. In response to protests, dancehall performers Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel were recently dropped from a British awards show, and MTV canceled Beenie Man’s appearance at an event for its Video Music Awards last month.