34th Annual Concert of Colors 2025
July 16-20, 2025, and it’s all freeGlobal arts, music and dance festival with food trucks featuring cuisine across the world, vendors/shopping and nonprofit booths offering information to make change for a better world for all of us. The Midwest’s largest global music festival featuring the biggest names in their genres and it’s free! Wednesday, July 16th
Detroit Film Theatre (inside the Detroit Institute of Arts)
Niyaz - The Fourth Light Project
Detroit Historical Museum
8:00pm-9:30pm
An Immersive multi-media experience (Pakistan and Iran).
The newest program of this Persian/Turkish/Indian electroacoustic musical tour de force NIYAZ, with whirling from Turkey and incredible visuals and sound. A mesmerizing experience.
Nafada – An Audio Uprising
Film: 2 showings 11:30am & 2:00pm
An unforgettable social justice advocacy project between female hip-hop artists from the MENA region and musicians of industrial, dark-wave electro music from the West.
Thursday, July 17th
Victor Ghannam (Palestine) & Sean Blackman’s (Armenia) Hye Salam, featuring David McMurray (Eastern Jazz)
5:30pm-6:15pm
Award-winning celebrated Detroit solo artists who perform worldwide are coming together for Arab, Armenian, Eastern jazz and Detroit music. Regular performers at Concert of Colors and highly anticipated as they take you around the world at this energetic and beautiful performance.
Bab L’ Bluz (Morocco) Moroccan-French power quartet reclaim the blues for North Africa
6:45pm-7:30pm
Moroccan-French power quartet reclaim the blues for North Africa. Fronted by an African-Moroccan woman in a traditionally male role, Bab L’ Bluz resonates a mixture of powerful Gnawa trance rhythms, Hassani songs from southern Morocco. Ancient-to-future music.
Laith Al-Saadi (Blues afficiando)
8:00pm-8:45pm
Laith Al-Saadi won America’s hearts and a spot in the finale of NBC’s “The Voice”. He is a staple of Michigan’s music scene bringing his authentic blend of blues, soul and classic rock to audiences around the nation and the world.
Michigan Science Center
Third Man Records
International Dance Lessons: African, Latin
1:00pm-2:00pm: Shashu Amen-Ra, African dance class
4:00pm-5:00 pm: Mambo Marci, Beginners salsa class
1:00-7:00pm: Arts & Scraps
Nebula Sound Ensemble (21st-century experimental chamber music)
7:30pm Doors, 8-8:40pm Show
Nebula Ensemble is an award winning, experimental music group, pushing genre boundaries and advocating for living creators. Mesmerizing audiences at every show!
Beautiful Noise featuring Kash Killion, Scott Amendola, Ben Goldberg, Don Was, Gretchen Gonzales & Chris Peters (Detroit. Soundscape cosmic vibes)
9:00pm-10:00pm
Indie-space-pop foundations, and a rock and roll legacy with major names in music for a powerful, unforgettable creative performance.
Sosnick Courtyard, outside the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
New Music Detroit, Virtuoso
New and experimental contemporary classical ensemble
7:30pm-9:30pm
Collective of musicians, New Music Detroit is dedicated to performing groundbreaking musical works from the late-20th century to present.
Friday, July 18th
Aretha Franklin Amphitheater (Chene Park)
Mavis Staples, Blues/Gospel/R&B legend
9:00pm-10:00pm
Mavis Staples is a celebrated American rhythm & blues and gospel singer, and civil rights activist who rose to fame with songs by The Staples Singers such as “I’ll take you there.” Her powerful, celebratory sound -with the Detroit River as the stage backdrop - will have audiences on their dancing feet in the warm summer Detroit air.
5:00pm-6pm: Shashu Amen-Ra, African dance
7:15-8:15 pm: Bab L’ Bluz: (Morocco) Moroccan-French power quartet reclaim the blues for North Africa.
The Luv Locz Experiment
6:00-6:45pm
A genre-defying collective from Dayton and Cincinnati, blending reggae, funk, hip-hop, and jazz into a signature sound they call Caribbean Funk. More than a band, they're a movement rooted in love, unity, and self-discovery.
Michigan Science Center
International Dance Lessons: African, Latin
1:00-2:00pm: Shashu Amen-Ra, African dance class
4:00pm-5:00pm: Mambo Marci, Beginners salsa class
1:00pm-7:00pm: Arts & Scraps
Saturday, July 19th
Spot Lite Detroit
Concert of Colors Forum by the Arab American National Museum: “The Homelands in Our Bodies: Embodying Artivism”
Detroit Film Theatre located inside the Detroit Institute of Arts
1:00pm-3:00pm
Moderator: Raed (founder of Yalla Punk)
Keynote Speaker: Ijeoma Oluo
Speakers & Performers: Firas Zreik, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Raymond ’SouFy’ Elwart Jr., Cyrah Dardas
Eljuri (Latin Reggae rock, Ecuador)
3:30pm-5:00pm
Eljuri is an award-winning Ecuadorian singer-songwriter/guitarist whose music is a mirror on this generation. Musical global fusion reflecting her Spanish and Lebanese heritage, the uplifting rhythms of her homeland, Ecuador, and the reggae, punk and rock & roll from her hometown, New York City create unique music.
Spanglish Fly (NY, Latin Boogaloo, celebratory, 11-piece band)
6:00pm-7:30pm
New York’s only band reviving and renewing Latin Boogaloo that came from the clubs and streets of 1960s Spanish Harlem. Mix of soul, R&B, and Latin rhythms; expect a dance floor packed with happy listeners.
Don Was Detroit Allstar Revue
9:00pm-10:30pm
with Thornetta Davis, Chris Canas, Herschel Boone, Tosha Owens, Laith Al-Saadi, Rev Robert Jones, Steffanie Christi’an, and Mitch Ryder.
One of the festival’s most anticipated annual performances, multiple Grammy winner/Blue Note Records President/Producer/Musician/Detroit-raised superstar Don Was curates a show just for Concert of Colors audiences, bringing some of the city’s best musicians with him to perform the Blues.
Detroit Institute of Arts: North Lawn Stage
Mathangi Dance Company, Bollywood Dance-a-thon
3:00pm-4:30pm
What started off as a small-town dance crew has become one of the most recognized Indian performing arts companies in the Michigan area and beyond.
Asha Puthli, (India. Spacy Avante Garde Disco Jazz)
6:00pm-7:30pm
The Indian-born singer in the 70s, known for her sensuous, spacey jazz-disco fusions plus blues, pop, funk and rock. A wonderful must-see.
Tilted Axes Electric Guitar (processional)
7:30pm-8:30pm
Music for Mobile Electric Guitars, an ensemble created and led by composer Patrick Grant. A procession of electric guitarists who wear mini-amps.
Yo La Tengo (American Indie, Hoboken)
9:00pm-10:00pm
Despite achieving some mainstream success, Yo La Tengo has been called "the quintessential critics' band" and enjoys a strong cult following. Mostly original material, the band also performs a wide repertoire of cover songs.
Detroit Film Theatre located inside the Detroit Institute of Arts
Sunday, July 20th
Wendell Harrison tribute to Pharoah Sanders
2:00pm-3:30pm
American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist. Tenor saxophonist, record producer and educator is a living legend in jazz. Popular in the New York jazz scene in the 1960s before returning home to Detroit to help found Tribe — a record label and magazine that became a hub for Black experimental music, publishing and platform to discuss social politics.
AfroFlow: Detroit to Ethiopia w Mike-E. (Ethiopia)
5:00pm-6:30pm
Ellison is an acclaimed, virtuoso musician and performer. Born in Ethiopia and based in Detroit, Michigan. He is working with musicians from throughout Ethiopia for this special performance bridges Detroit to the country of Ethiopia for its beautiful, inspirational sounds.
Femi Kuti and the Postive Force, (Nigeria)
8:00pm-9:30pm
Global superstar. Raised in Lagos. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Femi Kuti began his musical career playing in his father's band, Egypt 80. In 1986, Femi started his own band, Positive Force, establishing himself as an artist independent of his father's legacy with shows that powerful, story-telling, heart-breaking, energetic, inspiring and highly acclaimed worldwide. Don’t miss this incredible show by a living legend!
Detroit Institute of Arts, South Lawn Stage Children’s Stage & Tent
Youth Celebration
1:00-7:00pm
YOUTH MAZE - TOTS PLAY AREA - HANDS ON DISCOVERY TENT - MUSICAL MAZE - LIVE STAGE PERFORMANCES
BALLET FOLKLORICO DETROIT Mexican dance
CLAIR ACADMY OF MUSIC Chinese Erhu youth musician and martial artists
DIA STUDIO HANDS ON ARTS PROJECTS
IDY CISSE -West African Dance Demo & interactive
JESSICA CARE MOORE- Book reading and writing work shop by Detroit Poet Laureate
DREAMS ARTS COMPANY Youth theater company
HERITAGE WORKS DRUM ROLL hands on African drumming
MOSAIC YOUTH THEATER Performing Arts Ensemble
RHONDA GREENE Book reading and writing workshop
NANOU DJIAPO African Drum & Dance Ensemble
Wolverine Stage - Sosnick Court University of Michigan Detroit
Carmen Jackson
12:05pm
Carmen Jackson is a Detroit soul and jazz singer with deep musical roots. Niece of jazz great Milt Jackson and daughter of percussionist Manley Jackson, she’s a longtime figure on the local scene. Her single “Where Do We Go From Here” reflects her powerful, personal storytelling.
Jo Serrapere (Detroit)
1:15pm
Roots, folk, alt-country, blues and rock. Performing on national stages for decades, releasing albums and collaborating with other folk, roots and alt-country musicians. This singer/songwriter is a must-see!
U of M Flint Jazz
2:30pm
U of M Flint Jazz is the University of Michigan-Flint’s premier jazz ensemble, showcasing talented student musicians and honoring the rich tradition of jazz through dynamic performances and community engagement.
Chris Canas Band
3:45pm
Detroit’s Prince Of The Blues”. A well-blended set of classic covers and clever, roller coaster-like originals that keep the audience coming back for more. Diverse mix of Blues, Funk, and Soul they are always well equipped to bring the party wherever they go -and have the dance moves to boot!
U of M Percussions
5:00pm
The GRAMMY-nominated University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble has commissioned, performed, and recorded works from a global array of musical cultures. Many of the compositions it has premiered have gone on to enter the standard percussion canon.
Mariachi Femenil Detroit
6:15pm
An all-female based mariachi power ensemble located in the metro-Detroit area.These five musicians gained great popularity and press for their beautiful, skilled music that breaks boundaries. Bring your own little girl to the show, so she can see “that can be me someday, too!”
Scarab Club Farnsworth St, Detroit., behind the DIA
Kassan Belgrave & Allen Dennard w DJ Melo (Acid Jazz Trio, Tribute to Detroit House and Techno)
6:00pm-7:30pm
Belgrave - Detroit born and raised multi-reedist bearing a name with an incredible legacy, Kassan lives up to it! He joins Dennard, a celebrated mega talented Detroit-based trumpeter and recording artist with popular DJ Melo for a vibey acid jazz trio in this special intimate Historic art gallery space.
College for Creative Studies (CCS)
CCS Ford Campus Sculpture Garden StageDetroit’s Divine Five
Come to this dance party at the beautiful sculpture garden of CCS! Hear underground and modern sounds emerge at the sculpture garden from these top groundbreaking artists, a collective of top madam DJs. - you’re either here for it - or you will miss it!
Detroit’s Divine Five Are:
2:00pm-3:00pm: DJ Auset
3:00pm-4:00pm: DJ Taylor Monai
4:00pm-5:00pm: DJ Lady Monix
5:00pm-6:00pm: DJ Jenny La Femme
6:00pm-7pm: DJ Stacey Hotwaxx
Detroit Institute of Arts: North Lawn Stage
Liz Warner & Shigeto
9:30pm-11:00pm
WDET DJ & Dance Night, Detroit progressive DJ sounds. An award-winning audio journalist and DJ. She began her career on WDET in 1995 and now hosts Alternate Take on the same station. A lifelong explorer of sound, Liz has worked as a host, curator, writer, and DJ in both Detroit and LA, She’s been recognized for her contributions to music and media by national journalism organizations and continues to spotlight Detroit’s creative community.
War (California, Street Band)
7:00pm-8:30pm
Experience the electrifying sounds of the original street band performing your favorite hits including Low Rider, Spill the Wine, The Cisco Kid, and many more!
Shadow Show (Detroit)
4:30pm-6:00pm
Power trio 60's garage-psychedelia into a 21st century modern pop-art incarnation! Shadow Show is making headlines in Detroit and around the country. See them here first!
Tilted Axes Electric Guitar (processional)
6:00-7:00pm
Music for Mobile Electric Guitars, an ensemble created and led by composer Patrick Grant. A procession of electric guitarists who wear mini-amps.
