JULY 13 • 2023 | 65

“
As Concert of Colors celebrates its 31st 
year as Detroit’s largest, free inclusivity 
festival, we have made the decision to go 
back to the festival’s roots — hosting it 
primarily outdoors,
” festival founder Ismael 
Ahmed said.
“The festival once again brings the most 
talented musicians from their respective 
countries into Detroit to offer the region a 
chance to hear music from around the world. 
Historically, the festival also provides artists 
an opportunity to perform at one of the most 
iconic festivals in the Midwest.
”
In addition to the DIA, entertainment 
will be held at the Arab American National 
Museum, the Charles H. Wright Museum of 
African American History, Hellenic Museum 
of Michigan, Scarab Club, Detroit Historical 
Society Auditorium, Carr Center, Detroit 
Symphony Orchestra, Third Man Records, 
University of Michigan Detroit Center, 
Michigan Science Center and more.
The city-wide event is made possible 
through donations, grants and sponsorships. 

Sponsors include the Knight Foundation, 
Kresge Foundation, Skillman Foundation, 
Midtown Detroit, DTE Foundation, Wayne 
State University and Michigan.com.
Festival attendees will also have a chance 
to participate in forums, conversations on 
culture and race, and more. There will be 
children’s activities as well and food truck 
rallies on Farnsworth Street.

CONTINUING A LEGACY
Concert of Colors is one of the few 
remaining large-scale, free-admission music 
festivals in the area.
The event was launched by New Detroit 
Inc. in response to the 1982 racially 
motivated murder of Chinese American 
Vincent Chin in Highland Park. Since then, 
Concert of Colors has used arts and culture 
to help the community overcome racial and 
ethnic barriers.
The 1992 inaugural event took place at 
Detroit’s former Chene Park and saw tens 
of thousands of guests by 1999. In 2001, it 

expanded to three days when it was part 
of the official festivities for Detroit’s 300th 
birthday, drawing 300,000 attendees.
In 2019, the festival expanded to nine days, 
then went virtual during the COVID-19 
pandemic with bands from around the world 
performing live online from their respective 
countries.
Now, Concert of Colors is gearing up for 
one of its biggest years yet.
“The Detroit Institute of Arts is thrilled 
to host the 31st Annual Concert of Colors 
this year, featuring an incredible lineup 
of renowned global artists,
” said DIA 
director Salvador Salort-Pons. “Witnessing 
concertgoers engaging in meaningful and 
friendly dialogues while showcasing the 
immense talent of musicians from around 
the world is what makes this concert truly 
special. It’s no wonder that it has become one 
of the longest-running festivals in Detroit.
” 

For a complete lineup of events, visit www.

concertofcolors.com.

Don Was
Simon 
Shaheen

