Farmington resident Ismael Ahmed had an idea 35 years ago: bring people of all races, ethnicities and ages together to talk, bond and realize that differences can be celebrated while recognizing shared similarities. The goal was to build cultural differences through music, dance and art.

With Michigan’s Cultural Exchange Network, a collective that brings cultural leaders together for engaging conversation, and New Detroit, which works for social equity, the shared vision came to life and the Concert of Colors Detroit was born.

Fast forward to today. Concert of Colors is July 16-20 in Midtown Detroit. Ahmed’s goal to create the Midwest’s largest, completely free, family-friendly global music festival has come to fruition for its 34th year.

“We are extraordinarily proud to bring top musicians from their genres into Detroit for the free Concert of Colors global music festival,” said Ahmed, the festival’s executive director. “Come one, come all — everyone is welcome! This isn’t my festival. It belongs to everyone. It is a family-friendly event, where shows are held all through Midtown’s cultural institutions, including indoors and outdoors at the DIA, and the riverfront at the Aretha, all for free.”

Nearly simultaneously, decades ago, when Clawson resident Sean Blackman, an Armenian musician, strapped a guitar to his back and started traveling the globe in search of the world’s most interesting music, he returned inspired and began to record albums that blended music from around the world.

It wasn’t long after that he formed a new lifelong friendship with Ahmed who has put Blackman on the stage at the festival numerous times, performing music from Armenia, Brazil, Senegal and more.

Blackman, who has been awarded for his work in cultural leadership and a Detroit Music Award winner, is one of dozens of artists who will perform this year. His show East Meets West will take place with award-winning artist Victor Ghannam who plays the oud, a stringed instrument, and David McMurray, a celebrated Detroit jazz musician. It’s set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17 at the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave.

Also performing during the festival are Femi Kuti, Mavis Staples, WAR, Bab L’ Bluz and others at various locations around the city, including the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, Detroit Institute of Arts, Scarab Club, Third Man Records, Michigan Science Center, Spot Lite Detroit, Detroit Historical Society and more.

“I love this festival for three reasons. First, it’s incredible music from around the world for five days, all free in Detroit. I love the global food, art, films and shopping and the really cool, open-minded family-friendly people of all ages who come together,” Blackman said.

“It’s a charcuterie board of fun. There is so much to do.”

When Blackman isn’t performing, he’s working on behalf of Concert of Colors with the festival’s venues and cultural partners who work to curate the show.

“To keep this free, everyone who works on this festival does everything they can — whether it’s booking a band, promoting the event, passing out water, we’re all equal,” Blackman said. “We just want people to come out and hear beautiful music. Bring a lawn chair, bring a blanket for shows outside, and then cool down with the shows inside — the perfect summer mix.”

For more information, visit concertofcolors.com.

Lana Mini is a senior vice president of Marx Layne, the Farmington Hills-based public relations firm that coordinates publicity for Concert of Colors.