Nine days long: The 27th Annual Concert of Colors is metro Detroit’s free annual diversity music festival located in Mid-town
July 10-18, 2019
www.concertofcolors.com
See the schedule below!
Enjoy some of the world's top emerging and beloved artists.
The MainStage is at the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The festival will be also be held on stages throughout Midtown:
- DIA: Outside on the North Lawn, Rivera Court, Kresge Court
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Sosnick Courtyard on Parsons Street
- Detroit Historical Society
- Michigan Science Center
- Scarab Club
- International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit
- Arab American National Museum in Dearborn
THE 2019 SCHEDULE
*subject to change
WEDNESDAY JULY 10, 2019
WDET music hosts and public vote chose the band to open the fest from the Michigan entries.
6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019
DSO Sosnick Courtyard @ Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201
ISMAEL & THE EARTH ISLAND DRUMMERS wsg LANA MINI’S ORIENTAL DANCERS: DANCING ON TARAB
WDET World Music host Ismael spins global dance music + live legendary Detroit percussionists: Muruga Booker; Marwan Amen-Ra; Osvaldo Rivera; Margaret King Ahmed. Lana Mini & troupe are one of region’s finest oriental dance ensembles.
7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019
DSO Sosnick Courtyard @ Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201
WILL SESSIONS with THE DAMES
Funk outfit Will Sessions joins forces with Dames Brown, electrifying vocal ensemble. 11-piece progressive Detroit band, funk & boogie.
8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019
DSO Sosnick Courtyard @ Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019
Forum on Community, Culture & Race: The Power of Owning Our Voices
Keynote speaker: DR. GLORIA HOUSE (Aneb Kgositsile), with: RAMY ESSAM, panelist/performer; TALL PAUL, panelist/performer; SATORI SHAKOOR, panelist; and CHARLES EZRA FERRELL, moderator.
RSVP REQUIRED HERE
6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2019
The Annex @ Arab American National Museum
13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019
DJ EQUAD
Motown Music & Hip Hop jams
5 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
SANNA SU
Detroit artist creating uplifting spoken word & song. BlaaqGold (Trevor Payne), DJ.
6:00 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
BOOG BROWN
Raising spiritual consciousness through aggressive self-love on wax, on stage & beyond.
6:45 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
PAMELA WISE ENSEMBLE
Drum rhythms & patterns focus on West Africa. Pamela Wise, piano; Dwight Adams, trumpet; Djallo Djakate, drums; Akunda Hollis, percussionist; Ping Spells, vocals. Guest performance, Boog Brown.
7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
DAVID MCMURRAY & THE BLACK LIGHT COLLECTIVE
Genre-busting saxophonist & flutist Dave McMurray; Ibrahim Jones, bass; Jeff Canady, drums; Sowande Keita, percussion; Rayse Biggs, trumpet; Maurice O’Neal, piano; Isis Damil, vocals; & guest spoken word.
9:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
TILTED AXES: MUSIC FOR MOBILE ELECTRIC GUITARS
Created by Patrick Grant. Musical processions leading guests through the DIA, The Detroit Historical Society, + spaces in-between, ending at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Will be moving between various locations.
5-8 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Michigan Science Center
5020 John R St., Detroit, 48202
DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Exhibits including: Detroit 67: Perspectives and Center Stage: The Negro Leagues and Detroit’s LGBTQ Community Photo Gallery; Detroit Historical Society’s Digital Archives of local musical performances; interactive event: Detroiters Take A Stand Scavenger Hunt. Prizes.
1-5 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 2019
LOWRIDERS OF DETROIT
WOODWARD PLAZA (IN FRONT OF DIA)
12-4 p.m., LOWRIDERS OF DETROIT, custom classic & modern cars w modified suspensions on display
RAMY ESSAM
Egyptian hard rock. Exiled political activist and dissident and inspiration for the Arab Spring.
3 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
TOBY FOYEH AND ORCHESTRA AFRICA
Traditional Nigerian Yoruba music, folkloric meets western elements.
5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
DON WAS DETROIT ALL-STAR REVUE: CELEBRATES THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOTOWN
Show featuring: REVUE BAND: SWEET PEA ATKINSON, DONALD RAY MITCHELL, SIR HARRY BOWEN, BRIAN “ROSCOE” WHITE, LUIS RESTO, DAVE MCMURRAY, RAYSE BIGGS, RON PANGBORN, RON OTIS & DON WAS. wsg ANN DELISI of WDET. Guest Performers: MARTHA REEVES; MITCH RYDER; THE VELVELETTES; DENNIS COFFEY; MELVIN DAVIS; NADIR OMOWALE; CAROLYN CRAWFORD; KENNY WATSON; TY STONE; JILL JACK; CAROLYN STRIHO; KATHY KOSINS and THE DRINKARD SISTERS.
8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
BODY: THE FIRST INSTRUMENT
YOGA WITH CHRIS BRINEY; Traditional Iyengar style
1 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
RIVERA COURT; COMERICA DIVERSITY STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
NDEEP
1 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
SUPER BIRTHDAY
Experimental progressive rock, Detroit
2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
BLUEFLOWERS
rock
4 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
LU FUKI AND DIVINE PROVIDENCE
Afro jazz combining classical, rock and world music.
5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
SOLD ONLY AS CURIO
“Curious songs to laugh, cry, love and dance to”
7 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
BEN SHARKEY
Jazz
8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
TILTED AXES: MUSIC FOR MOBILE ELECTRIC GUITARS
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the first crewed lunar landing in 1969. “MOONWALK” By Patrick Grant. Performances around the center & in the planetarium.
1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. showtimes; Saturday, July 13, 2019
Michigan Science Center
Sunday, July 14, 2019
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
3 p.m. La INSPIRACION with special guests RICANSTRUCTION & MAMBO MARCI. Puerto Rico
5:30 p.m. 47SOUL, Palestine
8 p.m. THIRD WORLD BAND, Caribbean
RIVERA COURT; COMERICA DIVERSITY STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48202
2 p.m. DETROIT COMMUNITY YOGA W/SALAR ANSARI & DETROIT WOMEN’S CHORUS; “Sound bath” + yoga class. Live score by Salar Ansari. Blends movements of the body w history & depth of Diego Rivera’s Detroit industry murals. DCY founder Cindy Spires guides yoga participants.
4:30 p.m. TASLIMAH’S RAGTIME BAND featuring MARION HAYDEN, bass; DJALLO DJAKATE, drums; GENE PARKER, clarinet; LUCAS LISKA, cornet; KENNETH GILL, trombone; TASLIMAH BEY, piano.
7 p.m. Special performance announcement. Visit www.concertofcolors.com
KRESGE COURT
@DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
11 a.m. JERE STORMER’S SINGER/SONGWRITER SHOWCASE
11:15 a.m. TALLER THAN THEY APPEAR; 11:55 a.m. ODIE BLEW; 12:20 p.m. MICHELLE HELD; 12:30 p.m. LARRY GABRIEL’S FOU YAH YAY; 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. DESOTO DRIVE DUO; DIME STUDENTS ( DETROIT INSTITUTE OF MUSIC EDUCATION TBA); 2:45 p.m. JOHN FINAN & SHARON TSE; 3:30 p.m. MARKITA MOORE; 4:05 p.m. AUDRA KUBAT; 4:55 p.m. FLOYD KING & THE BUSHWACKERS
12 – 2 p.m. AFRICAN MASQUERADE, African dance w The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble of Philadelphia.
2 p.m., C’mon, Blink Your Eyes! The Magic of African Masquerade, an all ages lecture by Dr. Dele Jegede. Marvin and Betty Danto Lecture Hall
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
1 p.m. UNIVERSITY MICHIGAN MUSIC GROUP ALEXIS LOMBER
2:30 p.m. PKE (Predd Kennedy Experience), acoustic rock
4 p.m. SEAN DOBBINS, jazz drummer
5:30 p.m. Djembefola Detroit, an African drums group
7 p.m. ROOTS VIBRATIONS, Authentic Caribbean
8:30 p.m. PIERRE ANTHONY, R&B/Soul
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019
SCARAB CLUB
217 Farnsworth St, Detroit, 48202
(behind the DIA)
1 p.m IYAWO FOLKLORIC Afro-Cuban dance lessons w master teacher Lisa McCall
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R Street, Detroit, 48202
7 p.m. FILM SCREENING, BLUE NOTE RECORDS: BEYOND THE NOTES. Presented by the DIA, CHWMAAH, & BLUE NOTE RECORDS. Introduction by Don Was, President of Blue Note Reords
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
7 p.m. FILM SCREENING, GRACE JONES: BLOODLIGHT & BAMI WITH INTRODUCTION BY RICHARD PARRIS, President, Caribbean Cultural and Carnival Organization.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2019
TBA
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019
CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
The only ticketed event of the festival. Tix, $100 & $50: www.thewright.org/events
6 p.m. – 1 a.m. DANCING IN THE STREET: CELEBRATE THE 78TH BIRTHDAY OF MARTHA REEVES & THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOTOWN WITH MARTHA REEVES AND THE DON WAS ALL-STAR REVUE
--------
Produced by the Concert of Colors In Cooperation with partners CultureSource; Detroit Institute Of Arts; Charles H. Wright Museum Of African American History; Arab American National Museum; Michigan Science Center; University Of Michigan (U Of M, U Of M Dearborn, U Of M Detroit); Detroit Historical Society; Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Motown Museum; Midtown, Inc.; WDET; Scarab Club; International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit and Marx Layne & Company. It is sponsored by: Knight Foundation; Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan; Comerica Bank; MGM; Nancy Brigham And Friends.
Uniting metro Detroit’s diverse communities and ethnic groups by presenting musical acts from around the world. Over its 27-year history, the festival has become a beloved highlight of metro Detroit’s summer festival season, and one of the few free-admission music festivals remaining locally.
The Concert of Colors was established by Ismael Ahmed – the former head of the human services organization ACCESS – and New Detroit in 1993 as a one-day event at Chene Park on Detroit’s riverfront. The inaugural event drew a modest crowd to Chene Park, but by 1999, some 10,000 music lovers were coming out each year. The festival expanded to three days in 2001, when it was part of the official festivities for Detroit’s 300th birthday, drawing an audience of 100,000.
In 2005, the festival’s opening night performance was relocated to historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, the recently expanded home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO). The DSO became a full partner in 2006 as the entire festival relocated to the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, with two indoor stages and one outdoor stage. In 2007, the festival grew to encompass four days of free live music. From June-August 2008, the Arab American National Museum presented a photo exhibition by official fest shooters Bruce Harkness and Rebecca Cook celebrating the festival’s historic performers over the years, called Concert of Colors: Exposed.
In 2010, the Detroit Institute of Arts joined this remarkable collaborative effort, becoming a second venue for Concert of Colors. In 2011, the number of festival venues expanded to four, with the addition of the Scarab Club and a new presenting partner, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Also in 2011, the University of Michigan Detroit Center began programming the Outdoor Stage at Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center; the following year, Michigan State University’s Detroit Center partnered with UM on the Outdoor Stage.
In recent years, attendance at the Concert of Colors has been about 80,000.
www.concertofcolors.com
See the schedule below!
Enjoy some of the world's top emerging and beloved artists.
The MainStage is at the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The festival will be also be held on stages throughout Midtown:
- DIA: Outside on the North Lawn, Rivera Court, Kresge Court
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Sosnick Courtyard on Parsons Street
- Detroit Historical Society
- Michigan Science Center
- Scarab Club
- International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit
- Arab American National Museum in Dearborn
THE 2019 SCHEDULE
*subject to change
WEDNESDAY JULY 10, 2019
WDET music hosts and public vote chose the band to open the fest from the Michigan entries.
6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019
DSO Sosnick Courtyard @ Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201
ISMAEL & THE EARTH ISLAND DRUMMERS wsg LANA MINI’S ORIENTAL DANCERS: DANCING ON TARAB
WDET World Music host Ismael spins global dance music + live legendary Detroit percussionists: Muruga Booker; Marwan Amen-Ra; Osvaldo Rivera; Margaret King Ahmed. Lana Mini & troupe are one of region’s finest oriental dance ensembles.
7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019
DSO Sosnick Courtyard @ Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201
WILL SESSIONS with THE DAMES
Funk outfit Will Sessions joins forces with Dames Brown, electrifying vocal ensemble. 11-piece progressive Detroit band, funk & boogie.
8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2019
DSO Sosnick Courtyard @ Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019
Forum on Community, Culture & Race: The Power of Owning Our Voices
Keynote speaker: DR. GLORIA HOUSE (Aneb Kgositsile), with: RAMY ESSAM, panelist/performer; TALL PAUL, panelist/performer; SATORI SHAKOOR, panelist; and CHARLES EZRA FERRELL, moderator.
RSVP REQUIRED HERE
6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2019
The Annex @ Arab American National Museum
13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019
DJ EQUAD
Motown Music & Hip Hop jams
5 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
SANNA SU
Detroit artist creating uplifting spoken word & song. BlaaqGold (Trevor Payne), DJ.
6:00 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
BOOG BROWN
Raising spiritual consciousness through aggressive self-love on wax, on stage & beyond.
6:45 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
PAMELA WISE ENSEMBLE
Drum rhythms & patterns focus on West Africa. Pamela Wise, piano; Dwight Adams, trumpet; Djallo Djakate, drums; Akunda Hollis, percussionist; Ping Spells, vocals. Guest performance, Boog Brown.
7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
DAVID MCMURRAY & THE BLACK LIGHT COLLECTIVE
Genre-busting saxophonist & flutist Dave McMurray; Ibrahim Jones, bass; Jeff Canady, drums; Sowande Keita, percussion; Rayse Biggs, trumpet; Maurice O’Neal, piano; Isis Damil, vocals; & guest spoken word.
9:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 48201
TILTED AXES: MUSIC FOR MOBILE ELECTRIC GUITARS
Created by Patrick Grant. Musical processions leading guests through the DIA, The Detroit Historical Society, + spaces in-between, ending at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Will be moving between various locations.
5-8 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
Michigan Science Center
5020 John R St., Detroit, 48202
DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Exhibits including: Detroit 67: Perspectives and Center Stage: The Negro Leagues and Detroit’s LGBTQ Community Photo Gallery; Detroit Historical Society’s Digital Archives of local musical performances; interactive event: Detroiters Take A Stand Scavenger Hunt. Prizes.
1-5 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2019
DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 2019
LOWRIDERS OF DETROIT
WOODWARD PLAZA (IN FRONT OF DIA)
12-4 p.m., LOWRIDERS OF DETROIT, custom classic & modern cars w modified suspensions on display
RAMY ESSAM
Egyptian hard rock. Exiled political activist and dissident and inspiration for the Arab Spring.
3 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
TOBY FOYEH AND ORCHESTRA AFRICA
Traditional Nigerian Yoruba music, folkloric meets western elements.
5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
DON WAS DETROIT ALL-STAR REVUE: CELEBRATES THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOTOWN
Show featuring: REVUE BAND: SWEET PEA ATKINSON, DONALD RAY MITCHELL, SIR HARRY BOWEN, BRIAN “ROSCOE” WHITE, LUIS RESTO, DAVE MCMURRAY, RAYSE BIGGS, RON PANGBORN, RON OTIS & DON WAS. wsg ANN DELISI of WDET. Guest Performers: MARTHA REEVES; MITCH RYDER; THE VELVELETTES; DENNIS COFFEY; MELVIN DAVIS; NADIR OMOWALE; CAROLYN CRAWFORD; KENNY WATSON; TY STONE; JILL JACK; CAROLYN STRIHO; KATHY KOSINS and THE DRINKARD SISTERS.
8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
BODY: THE FIRST INSTRUMENT
YOGA WITH CHRIS BRINEY; Traditional Iyengar style
1 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
RIVERA COURT; COMERICA DIVERSITY STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
NDEEP
1 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
SUPER BIRTHDAY
Experimental progressive rock, Detroit
2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
BLUEFLOWERS
rock
4 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
LU FUKI AND DIVINE PROVIDENCE
Afro jazz combining classical, rock and world music.
5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
SOLD ONLY AS CURIO
“Curious songs to laugh, cry, love and dance to”
7 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
BEN SHARKEY
Jazz
8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
TILTED AXES: MUSIC FOR MOBILE ELECTRIC GUITARS
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the first crewed lunar landing in 1969. “MOONWALK” By Patrick Grant. Performances around the center & in the planetarium.
1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. showtimes; Saturday, July 13, 2019
Michigan Science Center
5020 John R St., Detroit, 48202
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
3 p.m. La INSPIRACION with special guests RICANSTRUCTION & MAMBO MARCI. Puerto Rico
5:30 p.m. 47SOUL, Palestine
8 p.m. THIRD WORLD BAND, Caribbean
RIVERA COURT; COMERICA DIVERSITY STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48202
2 p.m. DETROIT COMMUNITY YOGA W/SALAR ANSARI & DETROIT WOMEN’S CHORUS; “Sound bath” + yoga class. Live score by Salar Ansari. Blends movements of the body w history & depth of Diego Rivera’s Detroit industry murals. DCY founder Cindy Spires guides yoga participants.
4:30 p.m. TASLIMAH’S RAGTIME BAND featuring MARION HAYDEN, bass; DJALLO DJAKATE, drums; GENE PARKER, clarinet; LUCAS LISKA, cornet; KENNETH GILL, trombone; TASLIMAH BEY, piano.
7 p.m. Special performance announcement. Visit www.concertofcolors.com
KRESGE COURT
@DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
11 a.m. JERE STORMER’S SINGER/SONGWRITER SHOWCASE
11:15 a.m. TALLER THAN THEY APPEAR; 11:55 a.m. ODIE BLEW; 12:20 p.m. MICHELLE HELD; 12:30 p.m. LARRY GABRIEL’S FOU YAH YAY; 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. DESOTO DRIVE DUO; DIME STUDENTS ( DETROIT INSTITUTE OF MUSIC EDUCATION TBA); 2:45 p.m. JOHN FINAN & SHARON TSE; 3:30 p.m. MARKITA MOORE; 4:05 p.m. AUDRA KUBAT; 4:55 p.m. FLOYD KING & THE BUSHWACKERS
12 – 2 p.m. AFRICAN MASQUERADE, African dance w The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble of Philadelphia.
2 p.m., C’mon, Blink Your Eyes! The Magic of African Masquerade, an all ages lecture by Dr. Dele Jegede. Marvin and Betty Danto Lecture Hall
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts North Lawn
1 p.m. UNIVERSITY MICHIGAN MUSIC GROUP ALEXIS LOMBER
2:30 p.m. PKE (Predd Kennedy Experience), acoustic rock
4 p.m. SEAN DOBBINS, jazz drummer
5:30 p.m. Djembefola Detroit, an African drums group
7 p.m. ROOTS VIBRATIONS, Authentic Caribbean
8:30 p.m. PIERRE ANTHONY, R&B/Soul
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2019
SCARAB CLUB
217 Farnsworth St, Detroit, 48202
(behind the DIA)
1 p.m IYAWO FOLKLORIC Afro-Cuban dance lessons w master teacher Lisa McCall
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R Street, Detroit, 48202
7 p.m. FILM SCREENING, BLUE NOTE RECORDS: BEYOND THE NOTES. Presented by the DIA, CHWMAAH, & BLUE NOTE RECORDS. Introduction by Don Was, President of Blue Note Reords
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2019
DETROIT FILM THEATRE; MAIN STAGE
@Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 John R St., Detroit, 48202
7 p.m. FILM SCREENING, GRACE JONES: BLOODLIGHT & BAMI WITH INTRODUCTION BY RICHARD PARRIS, President, Caribbean Cultural and Carnival Organization.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2019
TBA
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019
CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
The only ticketed event of the festival. Tix, $100 & $50: www.thewright.org/events
6 p.m. – 1 a.m. DANCING IN THE STREET: CELEBRATE THE 78TH BIRTHDAY OF MARTHA REEVES & THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOTOWN WITH MARTHA REEVES AND THE DON WAS ALL-STAR REVUE
--------
Produced by the Concert of Colors In Cooperation with partners CultureSource; Detroit Institute Of Arts; Charles H. Wright Museum Of African American History; Arab American National Museum; Michigan Science Center; University Of Michigan (U Of M, U Of M Dearborn, U Of M Detroit); Detroit Historical Society; Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Motown Museum; Midtown, Inc.; WDET; Scarab Club; International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit and Marx Layne & Company. It is sponsored by: Knight Foundation; Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan; Comerica Bank; MGM; Nancy Brigham And Friends.
Uniting metro Detroit’s diverse communities and ethnic groups by presenting musical acts from around the world. Over its 27-year history, the festival has become a beloved highlight of metro Detroit’s summer festival season, and one of the few free-admission music festivals remaining locally.
The Concert of Colors was established by Ismael Ahmed – the former head of the human services organization ACCESS – and New Detroit in 1993 as a one-day event at Chene Park on Detroit’s riverfront. The inaugural event drew a modest crowd to Chene Park, but by 1999, some 10,000 music lovers were coming out each year. The festival expanded to three days in 2001, when it was part of the official festivities for Detroit’s 300th birthday, drawing an audience of 100,000.
In 2005, the festival’s opening night performance was relocated to historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, the recently expanded home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO). The DSO became a full partner in 2006 as the entire festival relocated to the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, with two indoor stages and one outdoor stage. In 2007, the festival grew to encompass four days of free live music. From June-August 2008, the Arab American National Museum presented a photo exhibition by official fest shooters Bruce Harkness and Rebecca Cook celebrating the festival’s historic performers over the years, called Concert of Colors: Exposed.
In 2010, the Detroit Institute of Arts joined this remarkable collaborative effort, becoming a second venue for Concert of Colors. In 2011, the number of festival venues expanded to four, with the addition of the Scarab Club and a new presenting partner, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Also in 2011, the University of Michigan Detroit Center began programming the Outdoor Stage at Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center; the following year, Michigan State University’s Detroit Center partnered with UM on the Outdoor Stage.
In recent years, attendance at the Concert of Colors has been about 80,000.
World music, including the indigenous music of the Motor City, is the major focus of the Concert of Colors, but not the only focus. The festival also offers ethnic food and merchandise vendors and in 2014, restored the annual Forum on Community, Culture and Race featuring presentations and discussion among artists, people connected to cultural institutions and community leaders to examine the role of arts and culture in overcoming racial and ethnic barriers.