As one of the few remaining free concert events of the Detroit summer music season, the 22-year-old Concert of Colors returns to Midtown for a diverse display of culture, musicianship and art appreciation Thursday, July 10, through Sunday, July 13.
The four day festival, which draws approximately 80,000 attendees, began as a modest one-day performance at Chene Park. Now Concert of Colors caters to fans of Detroit’s indigenous music landscape, as well as those interested in local merchandise and ethnic food.
In its most recent year, the festival has expanded to include five venues, and more than 30 performing acts. The 2014 Concert of Colors will be held between: New Center Park (West Grand Blvd., at Second Ave.), Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (315 E Warren Ave.), The Scarab Club (217 Farnsworth Ave.), Detroit Institute of Arts, South Lawn (5200 Woodward Ave.) and Max M. Fisher Music Center (3711 Woodward Ave.).
2014 Concert of Colors performing acts include: Mike Ellison, Don Was Detroit All-Star Review, Third Coast Kings, Rayse Biggs, Awesome Jarvis & The Whales, Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Thornetta Davis (special guest conductor John McLaughlin Williams), Howling Diablos, Wayne Kramer and Melvin Davis’ Rock & Soul Summit, Hot Sauce and others.
See the full Concert of Colors schedule below:
Thursday, July 10, 2014
6-10 p.m.
The Scarab Club
217 Farnsworth Ave.
$ soft drinks
7:00 p.m
Planet D Nonet: Sun Ra Centennial Tribute (avant jazz)
DOORS TIME 6:30 p.m.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave.
$ bar
7:00 p.m.
Mike Ellison presents “Now Is Infinite” (hip hop, African beats, rock)
Friday, July 11, 2014
Detroit Institute of Arts, South Lawn
5200 Woodward Ave.
$ bar
5 p.m.
PanaMO (Latin jazz/salsa)
7 p.m.
Cuddle Magic and Phyllis Chen (barogue avant garde)
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Max M. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave.
$ bar $ food
Doors at 1 p.m.
Food Truck Rally on Parsons Street (1-9 p.m.)
D:hive BUILD Bazaar in the Atrium (1-9:30 p.m.)
Kids crafts with Arts & Scraps on Parsons Street (1-9:30 p.m.)
MEIJER MAIN STAGE/Orchestra Hall
8 p.m.
7th Don Was Detroit All-Star Revue: Bob Seger’s LIVE BULLET Revisited (rock)
Scott Morgan & The Sights, Spyder Turner, Detroit Cobras, Liz Larin, Nadir w/ Steffanie Christi’an, Doop & The Inside Outlaws, Mayssa Karaa, The Infatuations, Blaire Alise & The Bombshells, Corktown Popes, Jess Domain, Luder, Lamont Zodiac and The All-Star Revue Band.
5:30 p.m.
Black 47 (Celtic rock)
3:30 p.m.
Conjunto Chappottin y sus estrellas (Cuban Son)
COMERICA DIVERSITY STAGE/The Music Box
9:30 p.m.
Third Coast Kings (funk/soul)
6:30 p.m.
HK & Les Saltimbanks (French/Algerian)
4 p.m.
Gabriel Brass Band (New Orleans-style brass)
2 p.m.
October Babies (world fusion/rock)
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
Courtyard behind Orchestra Place Bldg.
8 p.m.
Lola Valley (psychedelic soul)
7 p.m.
Rayse Biggs (jazz)
6 p.m.
Enema Squad (funk)
5 p.m.
Fifth Wall Concept (rock)
4 p.m.
Awesome Jarvis and The Whales (rock)
3 p.m.
Wisaal (Arabic/techno)
2 p.m.
Diviniti (Detroit house)
1 p.m.
Royal Blackbirds (blues/rock)
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Max M. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Ave.
$ bar $ food
Doors at 1 p.m.
Food Truck Rally on Parsons Street (1-9 p.m.)
D:hive BUILD Bazaar in the Atrium (1-9:30 p.m.)
Kids crafts with Arts & Scraps on Parsons Street )1-9:30 p.m.)
MEIJER MAIN STAGE/Orchestra Hall
8:30 p.m.
Seun Kuti with Fela’s Egypt 80 (Afrobeat)
6 p.m.
Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks (swing, country, folk rock)
3:30 p.m.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Thornetta Davis and special guest conductor John McLaughlin Williams (classical/gospel/blues)
COMERICA DIVERSITY STAGE/The Music Box
9:30 p.m.
Wayne Kramer & Melvin Davis’ Rock & Soul Summit (rocking R&B)
7 p.m.
Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars (African fusion)
4:30 p.m.
Sheila Landis featuring Rick Matle (samba jazz)
2 p.m.
Taller Than They Appear w/ Maugre’s Vaudeville Puppets (folk, klezmer, variety)
WOLVERINE OUTDOOR STAGE
Courtyard behind Orchestra Place Bldg.
8 p.m.
Hot Sauce (soul)
7 p.m.
Sean Dobbins Organ Group (jazz)
6 p.m.
Annamaria Austin (R&B)
5 p.m.
Allen Barnes (jazz)
4 p.m.
Howling Diablos (rock)
3 p.m.
Denise Davis & The Motor City Sensations (R&B, pop, funk)
2 p.m.
1 p.m.
Living Arts Youth Dance Ensemble (Southwest dance)