Announcement
“I come from a dark night
I come from a warm family too
I am unique and different
And I am just like you”
In a harmonious display of resilience and community, the intro to Colorado singer-songwriter Rebecca Folsom’s Power of Love washed over the crowded Tuft Theater at Swallow Hill Music on Friday, September 15th. The song, co-written by Rebecca, IRC in Denver's client Raqaya Alfaris and former staff Mireille Bakhos, was born from a message of breaking through the stigma of the word “refugee” and of being treated as equals within their communities.
“I am freedom, I am the power of love
I am coming home to all I’ve dreamed of”
Rebecca Folsom’s music is about freedom, love and acceptance. Her style is rooted in folk and gospel and tells intimate yet universal human stories, often about marginalized communities with the goal to empower the exiled voices in our society. The result are intricate, heartfelt, honest, and often raw lyrics describing human suffering, perseverance and ultimately love and hope.
"I believe that every lyric, every note, every musical collaboration carries the potency to change the world."
says Rebecca, who has played on BBC television/radio for an audience of 1.5 million, Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Bluebird and Opryland in Nashville, and numerous festivals nationwide.
" With my new album Sanctuary, I am on a mission to do just that - one listener at a time."
For Sanctuary, Rebecca partnered with activists, Zen masters, NYT Best Selling authors, Forbes America’s 100 Self-Made Women, social justice organizations, prisoners, vets, homeless people, the elderly, and refugees. Refugees such as the IRC in Denver's client Raqaya Alfaris who fled Syria and now lives with her family in Denver.
"Rebecca gave me a voice when my English vocabulary wasn't good enough to articulate my feelings yet, "
says Raqaya, now a student at CU Denver.
"We had many authentic conversations and Rebecca really listened. There were tears and laughter writing this song. Now, I want to write another one with her. I have so much to say!"
Rebecca, Raqaya and her band were joined on stage by IRC in Denver clients, staff, and volunteers who added their voices to the song’s chorus. English, Dari, and Arabic refrains invited the crowd to realize a world where every voice is heard, and where every refugee’s journey is recognized in a way that words alone cannot achieve.
"It was truly powerful and quite emotional to sing with Rebecca, Raqaya and my team",
describes Hanna Simmons, Communications and Development specialist at the IRC in Denver, the performance.
"I felt such a strong sense of belonging, acceptance, and love."
The message of inclusivity was further strengthened by the IRC in Denver's Community Engagement Manager Homayoon Milad, who shared his very intimate and personal refugee journey from Afghanistan with the audience, and shone a light on the work he now does to build bridges between Coloradans and their newest neighbors.
“I am more than even I know
From my lightest moments to my deepest sorrow
I own my past, it’s made me strong
This is now, I am here, and I belong.”
As the last notes rang out, the crowd broke out in applause for the performance. All the practice at the IRC office and in the green room before the performance had paid off! As Rebecca had said of her support for the IRC in Denver,
“My aim is to awaken and uplift people. It is important to look at the realities going on in the world today, socially and politically. But it is equally of value to laugh and spread comfort and joy.”
This night of music and community was certainly joyful and was another testament to the power and spirit of inclusivity and acceptance within the Denver community.
The IRC in Denver thanks Rebecca Folsom and Raqaya Alfaris for their unwavering support of our mission, and Swallow Hill Music for their staff graciously hosting this opportunity to uplift refugee voices through the power of music.
You can listen to Power of Love here or see the IRC in Denver's performance here.
If you are interested in partnering with the IRC in Denver for a concert or other artistic expression empowering refugee voices, please contact [email protected].
To learn more about the IRC in Denver's efforts, or if want to support our work, click here.
Written by: Hanna Simmons
