"Peace, Love and Understanding" rocks Concert of Colors in Detroit

A flurry of multicultural jams provided the soundtrack for an exciting weekend as the 33rd annual Concert of Colors returned to Midtown Detroit’s Cultural District (July 17-24), as Duante Beddingfield explains. 

Detroit’s largest and oldest music diversity festival featured a Caribbean carnival and parade, dance and music from around the world, global food vendors, art exhibits, film, poetry, discussions, interactive art for kids, and more. 

Headliners included electro-world music artists Transglobal Underground from England; Afro Cuban ensemble The Big Palladium 3 Orchestra; and Don Was performed twice with a tribute to the MC5 and also the Don Was Detroit All Star Revue. Concert of Colors rallied its visitors together around the universal theme of “Peace, Love and Understanding.” 

“Concert of Colors originally began as a way to bridge cultural differences in Detroit through music and art,” said Was. “Considering the chaos of the world today, we need to laser in on that, so it was easily unanimous to choose the theme of ‘Peace, Love and Understanding.’ It’s what the planet will always need.” 

Entertainment and activities took place at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Arab American National Museum, the Hellenic Museum of Michigan, Detroit Historical Society and Museum, The Carr Center, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Sosnick Courtyard, the Scarab Club, Third Man Records, the University of Michigan Detroit Center, Michigan Science Center and other locations. 

Along with the Caribbean parade, the DIA was also host to a Caribbean music day on its outdoor North Lawn Stage. Attendees were encouraged to wear colorful clothing. 

"The Detroit Institute of Arts is thrilled to once again host the 33rd Annual Concert of Colors," said DIA Director Salvador Salort-Pons. "We are proud to keep this festival free for all to enjoy while elevating the talent on stage, attracting visitors from Michigan and beyond with its lively energy. The Concert of Colors celebrates diversity and inclusivity in the arts both on and off the stage.” 

Concert of Colors founder Ismael Ahmed said the festival is probably the largest purveyor of Detroit’s multicultural music scene. “It’s music from all over the world,” he said. 

“And it’s from all over Detroit! And it’s free, which is a big deal in these days, where you spend hundreds of dollars a ticket for basic music. This is a chance for audiences to discover incredible, energetic music they’ve never been exposed to, and see some of the biggest global music artists.”