Concert of Colors 2026 to Honor Founder Ismael Ahmed and Celebrate Detroit's Musical Legacy
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By Adam Graham
Originally published by The Detroit News
May 13, 2026
The 35th Annual Concert of Colors will celebrate the life and legacy of its founder, Ismael Ahmed, while continuing the festival's tradition of bringing together artists and audiences from around the world through music, culture, and community.
Running July 15–19, this year's free festival will feature performances and events across multiple venues throughout Midtown Detroit, highlighted by a special tribute to Ahmed, who founded Concert of Colors in 1993 and dedicated more than three decades to fostering cultural understanding through the arts.
On Saturday, July 18, the Larry Gabriel Brass Band will lead "Celebrating Ish," a public procession and tribute beginning at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The ceremony will honor Ahmed's lasting impact on Detroit and the festival he envisioned as a place where music could unite people from every background.
Another major highlight of the festival will be Don Was Detroit All-Star Revue: "A Salute to The Scene," taking place Saturday evening at the Detroit Film Theatre. The performance celebrates The Scene, Detroit's influential dance television program that aired on WGPR-TV from 1975 through 1987 and helped shape the city's musical identity.
Hosted by Ann Delisi and Nat Morris, the performance will feature an all-star lineup of Detroit musicians, accompanied by a house band including Dave McMurray, Luis Resto, Jeff Canady, Wayne Gerard, Mahindi Masai, Prof. Vincent Chandler, John Douglas, and Brian Roscoe.
Festivalgoers can also look forward to an exciting lineup that includes Miles From India, Burnt Sugar Arkestra, Dengue Fever, Hassan Hakmoun, Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder, Kasan Belgrave, The New Generation Funk Brothers, and many more, alongside headlining performances from Sheila E., Steel Pulse, and Kronos Quartet.
Since its founding in 1993, Concert of Colors has grown into one of the nation's premier celebrations of global music and cultural exchange. In addition to concerts, the festival offers workshops, discussions, family activities, and community programming that reflect its mission of promoting diversity, inclusion, and understanding.
The 35th Annual Concert of Colors takes place July 15–19, 2026, with performances hosted across cultural institutions throughout Midtown Detroit. As always, all events are free and open to the public.
For the complete festival schedule and event information, visit concertofcolors.com.