Photo by Ridwan Adhami  

Concert of Colors Neighborhood Programs


in partnership with the 
Arab American National Museum 

presents:
Still We Sing:
Omar Offendum's
Little Syria
with special guests
Lubana Al-Quntar
and Layan Srour

Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM 

Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
15801 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, MI 48126 

Free and Open to the Public

This is the Michigan premiere of Omar Offendum's Little Syria, a performance set against the backdrop of New York City's fabled Little Syria neighborhood (1880–1940). This one-of-a-kind project bridges hip-hop and live Arabic instrumentation with the centuries-old Hakawati storytelling tradition of the Levant. Award-winning rapper and poet Omar Offendum is joined onstage by Palestinian oud virtuoso Ronnie Malley and music producer Thanks Joey to bring to life what it meant to be Arab in America over a century ago — a story that still speaks directly to today's conversations around immigration, xenophobia, and the ever-evolving idea of the American Dream. 

This special evening features internationally acclaimed Syrian soprano Lubana Al-Quntar, one of today's leading voices in Arabic and opera performance who is celebrated for her powerful range and fusion of Eastern and Western vocal traditions. The night also features Layan Srour, a Detroit-based interdisciplinary sound and visual artist with a practice focused on memory and belonging shaped by her upbringing in Beirut, Lebanon.

Little Syria began as a research residency with UMS at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 2018. This performance marks its first return to Michigan as a fully staged production.

About the Arab
American National Museum

Founded in 2005, the AANM is the national home for Arab American history, stories and culture. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, home to one of the largest concentrations of Arab Americans in the United States, the AANM is a touchstone that connects communities to Arab American culture and experiences. To advance the mission, the AANM presents original exhibitions, cutting-edge art, film screenings and performances across the nation, and continually documents the history and stories of Arab Americans.

The AANM is a national institution of ACCESS, the most comprehensive Arab American community nonprofit in the U.S.; is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums; an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution; a founding member of the Southeast Michigan nonprofit arts and culture association, CultureSource, the Immigration and Civil Rights Network of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, and the Michigan Alliance for Cultural Accessibility; and a member of the National Performance Network. The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI, 48126. For more information, visit arabamericanmuseum.org

Reserve your free seats today

Neighborhood Programs

Fueling Community Empowerment Through Arts and Culture, Cross-Cultural Conversations and Economic Development

In 2026, as America marks its 250th anniversary, the Concert of Colors—Detroit’s oldest and largest free global music and cultural festival—will honor the nation’s enduring spirit of unity, creativity, and resilience. Rooted in the belief that art is a bridge between people, this landmark visionary series brings the sounds and stories of Detroit’s distinctive neighborhoods to life, connecting communities through shared heritage, dialogue, and hope. This project embraces and affirms the power of the arts to unite and uplift.

Aligned with the mission of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage—to connect communities across cultures, cultivating curiosity, understanding, and belonging for all people— ]this initiative upholds and celebrates Detroit’s multifaceted cultural expressions. Through research, education, and community engagement, it recognizes that cultural traditions are living systems that help communities thrive. Together, these efforts promote greater understanding and sustainability of cultural heritage across Metro Detroit and beyond.

Through partnerships with leading community-based organizations across Metro Detroit, the Concert of Colors will host a series of neighborhood events celebrating the cultural traditions that have helped shape our nation. Together, these programs remind us that the journey toward a more perfect union begins with listening, sharing, and creating solutions together.

Media Partners in Storytelling and Driving Community Impact ● Detroit PBS will broadcast three major programs statewide, ensuring that Michigan households experience the beauty and creativity of Detroit’s neighborhoods. ● WDET 101.9 FM will amplify the story with two weeks of radio features and interviews for each event. ● Marx Layne & Company, a leading PR and digital agency, will guide a vibrant campaign that highlights Detroit’s role in shaping America’s cultural identity.

Together, these partnerships will elevate Detroit’s community voices, economic development, and cultural stories on citywide stages and beyond—showing America that the future of cultural and a commitment to democracy is evident in Detroit

Past Events

  • Freedom & Healing Music Festival

  • The Curved Shores Concert: A Native Artists Showcase Music Festival

  • Echos of Erin: Traditional Music of Ireland

  • We Tell These Truths: All Humans Are Created Equal

  • We Tell These Truths: One World, One Love

  • We Tell These Truths: Music is a Universal Language (A Pan-Asian Cultural Celebration)

  • We Tell These Truths: Union Makes Strength (L'unione fa la forza) Italian American Heritage Month Celebration