I was fortunate enough to be at Rustbelt Studios this past Thursday (7/17/08) and meet Don Was, David Was and the musicians who make up Sudan United for Peace. The Sudanese artists joined native Detroiter and Grammy Award winner Don Was, another Concert of Colors artist, to collaborate on a song calling for peace in Sudan.
I was struck by how powerful the session was. I knew it was an honor to meet Don Was, David Was and the most talented musicians from Sudan, I didn't realize how moving it would be. At a time when the President of Sudan is being charged with war crimes by The Hague I was being sung to about peace and one love. We have so much to learn for one another.
Sudan United for Peace performs from 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, on the Chrysler Main Stage at Orchestra Hall. I urge you to come down to the Concert of Colors and find some peace.
The recording session was conceived and planned by Concert of Colors founder Ismael Ahmed; Ralph Valdez, curator of cultural programming at the Arab American National Museum, a festival presenter; Don Was; and Dawn Elder, who is managing the Sudanese tour. It is being underwritten in part by the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn. All are available for interview, as is a spokesman for the Sudanese performers.
Don Was hosts a Detroit Super Session from 7:15-8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, also on the Chrysler Main Stage at Orchestra Hall, featuring David Was, Luis Resto, Randy Jacobs, Terry Thunder, Mitch Ryder, the MC5's Wayne Kramer, John Sinclair and members of Detroit bands including the Dirtbombs, Black Bottom Collective, Sisters Lucas, Lola Morales and Detroit Cobras.
More from Amy Palomar @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/picturepal/
