After Tinariwen Comments, Free Concert Aims To Celebrate Diversity

The Ramkat in Winston-Salem is hosting a free concert in conjunction with the National Black Theatre Festival. It comes as a response to hateful comments that were made on the venue's Facebook page.

Nashville-based soul band The War And Treaty were scheduled to play a ticketed concert at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex. Now, the show has been moved to The Ramkat and will be free to the public.

Just over a week ago, the venue found themselves embroiled in an unfortunate situation on social media. Racist and threatening comments were made under an ad announcing the North African band Tinariwen's upcoming show at the club.

Richard Emmett is one of the co-owners of The Ramkat. He says that this collaboration with the National Black Theatre Festival highlights the diversity of Winston-Salem.

“You know, the voices that we heard online are a minority in this community,” says Emmett. “And folks that believe otherwise, that believe and value diversity and inclusion and unity are the majority. And that represents this community.”

Since the concert is now free, any previous ticket sales to see The War and Treaty can be refunded at their points of purchase.