Months after organizing the 2025 Concert of Colors, festival founder and executive director Ismael Ahmed was already thinking about what to do next.
He began envisioning the artist lineup for 2026 and brought back renowned Detroit cultural curator and producer Njia Kai to help organize Detroit’s annual world music festival.
But when Concert of Colors returns for its 35th year July 15-19, Ahmed won’t be able to see his plans come to fruition. The music enthusiast, radio host and community activist died in January at the age of 78.
However, Kai, Ahmed’s wife Margaret King-Ahmed and a team of organizers are dedicated to carrying on his legacy and bringing his vision for this year’s festival to life. Kai is grateful that she gets to do one last favor for her “brother” of more than 30 years.
“This is a gift to me, and I’m working so that it’ll be a gift to his memory, that it (Concert of Colors) will be the biggest and the best,” she told BridgeDetroit. “I don’t ever see myself stepping in his shoes as his replacement. I just see myself as another person who was in his sphere, in his circle of brothers and sisters.”
As part of this year’s festivities, there will be a ceremony called “Celebrating Ish” and public procession led by the Detroit-based Gabriel Brass Band on July 18 on the north and south lawn of the Detroit Institute of Arts paying tribute to Ahmed.
The program will begin at 11 a.m. and feature remarks from Ahmed-King, social justice organization Public Allies and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, as well as performances by artists Xiao Dong Wei and Kamaal Amen-Ra.
The Detroit Historical Museum will also have the pop-up installation, “Tribute to Ismael” displayed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 16 and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. July 19.
King-Ahmed has been involved with Concert of Colors since its beginnings in 1993 as a one-day event at Chene Park. The event is now considered one of the longest-running, largest, free global music festivals in the country, according to the Concert of Color website. King-Ahmed said it was important to continue this year because she’s seen the impact of music bringing people of different races, backgrounds and religions together.
“He was just this cat that was like, ‘OK, let’s get everybody on the same playing field, and how can we do that? Well, let’s start with music, because that’s a joyful experience,’” she said about her husband.
“And he always wished he could have been a musician,” King-Ahmed added with a laugh. “This was his answer to that.”
All for the culture
The headliners for this year’s Concert of Colors are Grammy-winning singer and percussionist Sheila E. and Grammy-winning British reggae band Steel Pulse. Both artists will perform July 19 at the DIA, with Steel Pulse taking the stage at 7 p.m. and Sheila E. at 9:30 p.m.
Additional artists performing throughout the festival include Moroccan musician Hassan Hakmoun, Cambodian rock-pop group Dengue Fever and reggae band Meta and the Cornerstones. Concert of Colors takes place at various venues across Midtown throughout its five-day run such as the DIA, Detroit Historical Museum, the Sosnick Courtyard near Orchestra Hall and the Michigan Science Center.
Other festival highlights include experimental jazz/hip hop group Burnt Sugar Arkestra celebrating the 20th anniversary of J Dilla’s “Donuts” by playing the album’s first 15 songs. The performance will take place at 6:30 p.m. July 18 on the north lawn of the DIA. Then, at 8:30 p.m., Detroit artist Don Was and his All-Star Revue will pay tribute to the city’s beloved dance show “The Scene” with former host Nat Morris and WDET’s Ann Delisi.
New this year is programming from the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Kai and King-Ahmed said. In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary, the Smithsonian launched its “Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals” initiative in March, featuring a series of co-curated programs and exchanges showcasing the nation’s cultural landscape, which is being presented at local festivals in several states.
“The Smithsonian has an initiative based around the 250th observance, and it’s called ‘We Hold These Truths,’” Kai said. “They’re going around the nation and recording the comments of everyday citizens on what is their notion of the country and the democracy and how they envision and want to see it in the future. Out of that initiative they are holding story circles, and so, we will have one at the Hellenic Museum of Michigan on Wednesday (July 15) of festival week and then on Thursday (July 16) at the N’Namdi Center.”
On July 17, the NEA will give the grant workshop, “Accessing Federal Funding for the Arts” beginning at 1 p.m. at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. Then, at 3 p.m., NEA Chair Mary Anne Carter will have a conversation with CultureSource Executive Director Omari Rush.
Kai and Ahmed-King believe the NEA’s and the Smithsonian’s involvement with Concert of Colors is because of Ahmed’s relationships with people on the national arts and culture scene. In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Ahmed for a seat on the National Council on the Arts, which advises the chair of the NEA on agency policies and programs.
King-Ahmed said organizing the festival every year is hard work, but it’s all worth it because of the way it connects with people.
“His (Ahmed’s) legacy is easy to carry on, because it has so much impact,” she said. “People come from other states. We have a group from Ohio coming, people from New York. We’ve got people coming from California this time. We got people that really respected Ismael. They were friends of Ismael, and they were like, ‘Oh my god, we got to get there, we got to be there.’”
Here are some other festivals, fairs and activities happening across Detroit this summer:
Pistons Neighbors Program: Now until Aug. 14
Presented in partnership between the Detroit Parks Coalition, Detroit Pistons Foundation, and City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department, the program features 17 Detroit parks that will host free, weekly activities for all ages throughout the summer, such as sports clinics, live music, dance classes and visual arts.
Participating parks include:
- Barthwell Stewart
- Boyer
- Butzel Family
- Chandler
- Charleston Colston
- Clark
- Cool Cities
- Eliza Howell
- Forest
- Jayne Field
- Kelley
- Love Thy Neighborhood
- New Center
- O’Hair
- Peterson
- Rouge
- Sasser
For days, times and specific activities, click here.
African World Festival: July 10-12
Hosted annually by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, this year’s theme for the festival is “Three Days. One Vibe.”
Across the event’s three days, attendees can expect to see headliners like reggae singer Protoje, R&B singer Shanice, gospel groups Blind Boys of Alabama and The Group Fire and Flint R&B band Ready for the World. Outside of musical performances, guests can enjoy a variety of food vendors and a retail marketplace filled with handcrafted goods from Black artisans and entrepreneurs. Families can also explore the Children’s Village, featuring hands-on activities and storytelling sessions.
Early-bird passes for adults are $25 on Eventbrite, while passes for children ages 6-17 are $15.
Backwoods and Bonfires: July 11
Described as the fastest growing festival in the Midwest, Backwoods and Bonfires will take place at event venue The Eastern, 3434 Russell St, near Eastern Market. So far, New Orleans rapper Rob49 is the only headliner, but additional artists and DJs are expected to be announced soon, according to the festival’s Eventbrite. The event will also include food trucks and vendors.
The festival is offering early-bird specials through Sunday, where people can buy a general admission ticket for $38 and get their second ticket half off.
Detroit Kite Festival: July 12
Held annually on Belle Isle’s Cricket Field, the free event gathers kite enthusiasts for a day of family-friendly fun. In addition to kite flying, attendees can grab something to eat from food vendors, make some crafts, or have their face painted if they wish.
Yacht Rock Detroit: July 17-18
The annual festival dedicated to the breezy, soft rock sound of the late 1970s and early 80s takes place along the riverfront outside of the Roostertail. This year’s lineup includes bands Ambrosia and Three Dog Night and Fleetwood Mac tribute band Seven Wonders. Day passes are $149, while access to both days of the festival is $219.
Detroit Festival of Books: July 19
The ninth annual festival, also known as Bookfest, will take place inside Eastern Market and feature more than 300 vendors selling books, records, art and more. After checking out the event, attendees can head to the Bookfest after party at Detroit City Distillery.
Greektown Heritage Festival: July 25
Held on Monroe Street in Greektown, the annual free festival will feature lots of delicious food from the many restaurants that make up the neighborhood, including a street-side lamb roast. Attendees can enjoy music from Greek musicians, along with traditional performances from local dance groups and a lively DJ to wrap up the celebration. There will also be children’s face painting, stilt walkers, firebreathers, and a belly dancer, along with specialty Greek vendors.
Detroit Chinatown Block Party: July 25
The Detroit Chinatown Vision Committee is bringing back its block party for a second year in celebration of the revival and reimagining of the city’s historic Chinatown neighborhood. Located at the intersection of Cass Avenue and Peterboro Street, the family-friendly event will feature a lineup of DJs, cultural performances, food vendors, games and interactive activities designed to educate and engage attendees about the legacy and future of Detroit’s Chinatown. The party is free to attend, but people can register on Eventbrite.
Sazón Latin Food Festival: July 26
Held at Batch Brewing Company, the outdoor festival offers Latin music and curated food from across Latin America. Guests will be able to taste dishes from food vendors representing the best flavors from the Caribbean, Central, and South America. The event is free, but people can register on Eventbrite.
Belle Isle Art Fair: Aug. 1-2
The annual event is a juried art show with 100 professional artists from more than a dozen states and emerging teen artists from the Mint Artists Guild. In addition to browsing and buying artwork, the festival will have food trucks, beer tent, arts and crafts and the heritage tent, which will highlight artists who no longer participate in shows due to age, health and other issues.
Arab & Chaldean Festival: Aug. 1-2
Now in its 53rd year, the two-day event takes place at Hart Plaza and is considered the largest Arab and Chaldean festival in North America, according to the festival’s website. The festival features a variety of food, a cultural gallery, musical and dance performances and a fashion show.
Ribs and R&B Music Festival: Aug. 7–9
Held at Hart Plaza, the annual festival is featuring headliners Ro James, along with 1980s and 90s groups Midnight Star, Klymaxx, Atlantic Starr and Changing Faces. Attendees can also enjoy a rib cook-off and food and business vendors. Early bird tickets start at $44.
Detroit Jazz Festival: Sept. 4-7
Now in its 47th year, the free festival brings together jazz musicians from all over the world to Hart Plaza. This year’s lineup includes artists like bassist and Metro Detroit native Ron Carter, keyboardist and arranger Bob James, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and Joe Lovano, saxophonist and the festival’s 2026 artist-in-residence.
Additional programming will take place at the Detroit Jazz Hall inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University, which serves as the home for the festival’s “Midtown After Hours” performances and high school showcases.
