July 18, 2023
Michigan Chronicle
Ebony JJ Curry
July 16, 2023
In the spirit of unity, diversity, and global harmony, Detroit gears up for its largest multicultural celebration yet: the 31st annual Concert of Colors. Scheduled from July 19-23, this free festival will be a vibrant tableau of music, poetry, food, film, and more, painting the city with a cornucopia of cultures. The five-day festival will be held across key landmarks such as the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Cultural District.
The Concert of Colors takes the stage in 2023 bigger and bolder than ever before. This year’s headliner, Julian Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, will imbue the festival with his father’s reggae rhythms. The lineup also boasts of performances by Grammy Award-winning producer and jazz musician Don Was, a Metro Detroit native, and his All-Star Revue, Dengue Fever, and Palestinian-American musician Simon Shaheen. The musical ensemble, including Jessica Care Moore and her Daughters of Betty: Powered by Black Women in Rock, is set to emphasize Caribbean tunes.
Emerging from the gloom of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Concert of Colors is a beacon of joy, diversity, and resilience, aiming to rebuild and reunite the community through the global language of music and art. A visit to the festival’s website, www.concertofcolors.com, offers a glimpse into the expanded set list and star-studded lineup, promising an unforgettable experience.
More than just music, the Concert of Colors is a feast for all the senses. Food enthusiasts will be able to savor a range of global cuisines from an array of food trucks on Farnsworth Street, while film buffs can partake in movie screenings. The festival also offers forums, children’s activities, and an opportunity to buy unique merchandise from vendors around the world.
Extending its cultural reach, the festival will hold events at the Arab American National Museum, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Hellenic Museum of Michigan, and the Michigan Science Center, among others.
Launched by New Detroit Inc., with Ismael Ahmed chairing its Cultural Exchange Network, the Concert of Colors was birthed in response to the tragic racial murder of Chinese American Vincent Chin in 1982. More than just an annual event, it is a powerful symbol of unity and cultural bridge-building. Today, it stands as an affirmation of Detroit’s vibrant diversity, a testament to the healing power of art and music, and a beacon of hope for a more inclusive world.
