The Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations, an organization formed in 1983 to facilitate the study and discussion of U.S foreign policy, wraps up its three-part Soft Power series on October 30 with a performance by a Silkroad Trio. Famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad as a model of cultural collaboration in 1998.

The Silkroad Trio concert will be held October 30, at 7 p.m., at the Camden Opera House. It is free and open to the public but tickets are required. Registration for members begins October 12 and registration for the general public begins October 16. To register go to https://www.camdenoperahouse.com/shows or http://midcoastforum.org/softpower.

During the concert, the audience will get to experience the power of culture, connection, and creativity as musicians Mike Block, Edward Pérez, and Balla Kouyaté join forces, each bringing their heritage and artistry to perform a concert exclusively for the Mid-Coast community.

“The Silkroad performance is designed to show our community how collaborations of artists from different countries enhance our understanding of the people and ideas of different cultures," said George Look, president of the Forum.

The concert is a logical finale to the first two programs, which included diplomats and foreign policy strategists, according to the Forum.

“The people attending the first two parts of our three-part series on soft power came away with a better understanding of the central role that soft power plays in the conduct of foreign relations, as well as a better understanding of the broad range of activities that contribute to how we view the people and cultures of other nations,” said Look.

The trio will be joined by Silkroad Executive Director Ben Hartley, who will engage musicians in a moderated discussion about the organization’s global work and how it uses “soft power” to bring people together across borders.

The Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations provides the followign artists descriptions:

-Mike Block (cello)  – “One of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene” (Gramophone Magazine), Mike blends classical mastery with folk, bluegrass, and world music traditions in performances full of energy and heart.

-Edward Pérez (bass)  – A Grammy Award winning bassist and sought after composer, Edward’s work is steeped in jazz, Afro-Peruvian, and Latin American rhythms, giving his music both grounded groove and lyrical elegance.

-Balla Kouyaté (balafon)  – Hailing from Mali, Balla is a hereditary griot and virtuoso of the balafon, a familial tradition that dates back over 800 years. As a 2019 NEA National Heritage Fellow, Balla’s work carries centuries of history, storytelling, and tradition.

About Silkroad

Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998, recognizing the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration—for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a musical language founded in difference, thus creating the foundation of Silkroad: both a touring ensemble comprised of world-class musicians from all over the globe and a Boston-based nonprofit organization working to make a positive impact across borders through the arts.

Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens and Executive Director Ben Hartley, Silkroad leads social impact initiatives and educational programming alongside the creation of new music by the Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble.

To learn more, please visit silkroad.org and @silkroadproject on social media.