The Concert of Colors is celebrating its 35th anniversary and commemorating Ismael Ahmed, who co-founded the event and passed away earlier this year. Building on a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, the festival organization is now led by Njia Kai.

“One thing Ismael was clear about is that we are all brothers and sisters, and that we should all take care of each other,” says Kai.

Dozens of musical performers and bands from around the world join Detroit-area artists on the festival lineup including Sheila E, The Don Was Detroit All Star Revue, Dengue Fever, Charity Ward, Kasan Belgrave, Steel Pulse and Martha Redbone.

Beyond music performances and a memorial for Ismael, there will be a community forum at the Majestic Theatre Complex presented by the Arab American National Museum.  The conversation will be led by NPR’s Neda Ulaby. There will also be a grant writing workshop, youth programming, and a story circle at N’Nambi Center for Contemporary Art.

“We get to bring in all these interesting cultural, contemporary traditions, folks who are following age-old patterns that are true to their ethnic history,” Kai says.

Njia Kai, Concert of Colors festival organizer, joined The Metro to discuss this year’s festival.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and stream on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

The Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage honors America’s 250th with, Culture of, by, and for the People. The institution will hit the road, using cultural programming to tell the story America.

The Concert of Colors Neighborhood Series is a part of that plan. Its hosting an event called “All Humans Are Created Equal” at Mercado Plaza in Mexicantown on June 27. It kicks off the Concert of Colors Neighborhood Series reframing the phrase “We Hold These Truths”.

La Santa Cecilia, a Grammy-winning band, brings the cosmic barrio to Detroit. They will perform classics and music from their newest album, “Los Años.” 

Betto Arcos will serve as a moderator after their performance. Arcos is a radio journalist, writer, curator, and music promoter from Los Angeles. He’s watched La Santa Cecilia grow from an LA barrio to the Grammy’s.

Betto says La Santa Cecilia has crafted their own sound. “They started to create their own songs, their own original sound that was a mixture of all the things they grew up listening to in their homes, with their parents.”

Raymond Lozano is the executive director of the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation, who is co-sponsoring the event. Ray and Betto joined The Metro to talk more about the event and Latino diaspora.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and stream on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Detroit is a city where culture doesn’t just live, it moves like the river that shares a name. And this weekend, that energy comes together in a powerful way in Waawiyaatanong.

The Curved Shores Concert: A Native Artists Showcase takes over Spot Lite Detroit on Saturday, bringing together a unique lineup of Native American artists and storytellers.

It’s part of the larger Concert of Colors Neighborhood Programs, an effort to bring global sounds and meaningful conversations directly into Detroit’s neighborhoods. 

SouFy is a Southwest Detroit native and Native American hip-hop artist. When he’s not on stage performing, he’ll be helping bring this entire experience to life as co-founder of Vibes With The Tribes, the producers of the showcase.  

Charles Ezra Ferrell, the director of neighborhood programs for Concert of Colors and SouFy, joined The Metro to talk more about the event and its importance to Detroit’s diverse Native community.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

More stories from The Metro