The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund in Conjunction with DaimlerChrysler Services Sponsor the 12th Annual Concert of Colors

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., and AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 16 /PRNewswire- FirstCall/ -- DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund and DaimlerChrysler Services North America sponsor the 12th annual Concert of Colors, Metropolitan Detroit's cross-cultural music festival. The event, July 16-18 at Chene Park in Detroit, celebrates the diversity of music from around the world.

"Concert of Colors brings diverse communities and ethnic groups together through the appreciation of music and different cultures," said Juergen Walker - President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Services North America. "As a global corporation, DaimlerChrysler Services is committed to supporting events that bring together individuals from different backgrounds to celebrate diversity. Our involvement in the Concert of Colors is vital to the strength of not only our company, but the communities where we live and work."

Admission is free and open to the public. The performances, presented on three different stages, feature nearly 40 acts from 20 different countries around the globe. In addition to the music, Concert of Colors festivities include a children's art area led by Arts and Scraps, ethnic food booths, and multi-cultural arts and crafts vendors. The gates open on Friday at 5 p.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

  Concert of Colors Event Schedule
  Friday, July 16

The festival begins on Friday, July 16, with the all-female Celtic ensemble, Cherish the Ladies, performing traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, will be joined by local champion step dancers. Also, the seminal Afro-pop dance band from Guinea, West Africa, Bembeya Jazz, will be led by a four- guitar string section. Closing the opening night festivities will be the Grammy nominated, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the reining kings of Nuyorican salsa and Latin dance.

Saturday, July 17

Saturday's performances kick-off with the Stars of the Peking Acrobats taking the stage to perform Chinese acrobatics. The festival moves to Venezuela when Los Amigos Invisibles bring their gozadera sound to Chene Park and their high-energy Latin funk, tinged with dance rhythms. Then follows one of the most prolific and popular singer, songwriters ever, Ani DiFranco, who will make a rare Detroit appearance along with her bass player, Todd Sickafosse. Saturday's musical journey will conclude with a trip to Jamaica with reggae sensation, Burning Spear.

Sunday, July 18

Leading the way on Sunday will be the sacred steel ensemble, The Lee Boys, with special guest, Calvin Cooke. Detroit native, Calvin Cooke has been considered one of the top steel guitar players in the gospel field. Continuing with the theme, the next act, Ex-Centric Sound System, is led by Yossi Fine, an Israeli Jew who is joined by a group of traditional African drummers and mixing contemporary dub rhythms, electronica and techno sounds. They will be followed by Mercan Dede of Turkey, whose music employs traditional Middle Eastern instruments along with contemporary rhythms and the dancing of whirling dervishes. As Sunday afternoon turns to evening, the monumental rock band from East Los Angeles, Los Lobos, makes their return to the Concert of Colors. Sunday comes to a close with the sounds of Little Richard. Little Richard fills the festival's "legends slot" performing where others such as Bo Diddley and the Temptations have gone before.

In addition to the performances on the main stage, two other musical stages provide family entertainment during the Concert of Colors weekend. Featured on the Diversity Stage are local favorites Blackman/Arnold, Gino Washington, Orquesta La Inspiracion, Soul Clique with poet Umar Bin Hassan, Gore Gore Girls, Coro Italiano and Bloom. Also performing are San Francisco world music band, Hamsa Lila, and Native American blues artist, Joe Reilly. The Rhythm Stage will feature Toronto Taiko group, Kiyoshi Nagata, along with Indian Dance ensemble, Nadanta; Sunkwa, Southpaw Isle Steel Band, Repercussions and Rhythmic Adventures. The public is invited to bring their own drums for several workshops offered on the stage.

The Concert of Colors was established by New Detroit in 1993 and joined by the ACCESS in 1999. For more information on the Concert of Colors and an event schedule, please visit http://www.concertofcolors.com/ .