2025 Global Peace Tour
by David Fink
Surabhi Ensemble is a multicultural music and dance group based in Chicago. Its mission is to show the beauty of multiculturalism in the arts, to remove “fear of other” through familiarity, and to promote the concept of peace by “living as one family.”
Recently, I heard Pete Buttigieg speak about how he can be so calm on Fox News. He replied that he pretended he was with family members with whom he disagreed. I love this concept. It aligns perfectly with Surabhi Ensemble’s ethos. We may not always agree, but we can always engage with civility.
This was my fourth Peace Tour with Surabhi.
Our first, in 2019, when we performed in Vietnam, Spain, Portugal, and Senegal. Yes, we were on three continents, each different, yet each offered meaningful opportunities to share our peace mission. Since then, we’ve toured Mexico twice. This 2024-2025 long winter tour started in India. We performed in 7 cities in 5 states. After the official tour ended, some of us stayed and did some gigs in Hanoi. The core of Surabhi Ensemble consists of musicians and dancers representing Indian, Flamenco, Mexican and Arabic traditions. An African musician also joined us for part of the tour, and we collaborated with local musicians in India and in Vietnam. A Japanese violinist also joined us near the tour’s end, The ages of the performers ranged from 30s to 60s, with most in their 40s and 50s. While the lineup shifted due to availability and health, each show remained unique and exceptional. Audiences received unforgettable performances, regardless of who was on stage.
As a Jewish man, my favorite aspect of Jewish culture is “tikkun olam,” the belief that it is our duty to repair the world. I have limited power, yet I work in ways that I believe make a difference. I’ve worked on nonprofit boards, contributed to community-building efforts, such as The Acorn Theater, where we brought a big world to a small town with live performances, where I also co-founded Harbor Arts. I co-founded Outspoken, an LGBTQ+ storytelling event. I talk about these events because I believe they help open minds through understanding. Two of the musicians on this tour have strongly identify as Arabs. Though we come from different backgrounds, I think of them my brother and my sister. The day after Oct 7, I met for coffee with one of these people. I don’t wish to delve into the Israeli conflicts, but on a personal level, we share love and respect. We can and must build bridges over the rhetoric. Surabhi Ensemble actively constructs these bridges.
People today consume information through highly filtered and often biased sources, reinforcing our existing beliefs and deepening divisions. Algorithms shape what we see, influencing perceptions and exacerbating anger, sadness, and distrust. This increases our division and misunderstanding, and creates and amplifies a lot of anger, sadness, and distrust. This undermines our democracy.
On this tour, we blended multiple genres of music and dance to create something entirely new, bringing it to audiences eager for fresh perspectives. Every performance was distinct. Improvised elements ensured no two shows were the same. Beyond performing, we lived as one family by sharing homes, meals, and responsibilities. This strengthened our bonds and reinforced the very values we aim to promote. We performed and led workshops at schools and colleges.
One school, dedicated to providing equal education for girls, hosted us on a weekend, yet the room was packed. The students stayed long after the show, eager to interact (and take selfies.) At the colleges, students embraced the fusion of cultural sounds. A traditional Indian vocalist, inspired by a Flamenco guitarist, improvised a song on the spot. Other musicians joined in, and we witnessed the spontaneous creation of a unique cross-cultural piece. Moments like this felt like magic.
We also visited a cancer hospital, where we spoke about the power of the arts in healing environments. After performing for the administration, we were invited to share music in the children’s ward. The momentary joy and relief on the faces of the patients, visitors, and staff reinforced the transformative power of art. At an orphanage, the children introduced themselves and shared their dreams for the future. Though their circumstances were heartbreaking, they were clearly cared for, educated, and part of a supportive community. We dedicated our program there to the recent marriage of my cousins Lesley and Doug, who work in education and nonprofit positions, embody the values of living as one family.
We performed at multiple museums, where our mission resonated deeply. Audiences were thoughtful, engaged, and eager to express their appreciation. One show was so overbooked that we performed twice to accommodate everyone. A major television studio recorded our performance for a show on India’s equivalent of the BBC. The scale of their production including staff, equipment, and professionalism was remarkable. Being featured on such a platform validated the importance of our work. At an ashram, researchers measured the effects of music on spiritual well-being. We were a part of this study. While I am naturally skeptical of such studies, I respect their mission.
A takeaway from that visit? Happiness is often a choice. I have the power to embrace it. One of the most impactful moments of the tour happened in Rajpipla, where we were invited by a prince from a centuries-old dynasty. He welcomed us with flowers, hosted us for lunch, and joined us in playing music on a traditional instrument. Our concert took place in an outdoor venue his great-grandfather built. It was a stage that had not been used for more than 100 years. A high-energy DJ emceed, local dignitaries attended, and drones and jumbotrons captured the event. The turnout was astonishing. Initially, 300 chairs were set up, then 200 more, then another 500. In the end, over half the audience stood. A full 4% of the town attended. The event dominated local news for weeks. Children called it the highlight of their year.
Later, the prince, his husband, and his princess aunt, visited our residence for tea, deepening the friendships we had formed. This connection went beyond performer and sponsor.
I learned some random things on this trip. For the first time, I realized there is a real problem with food in the U.S. In India, I ate fresh, flavorful, mostly vegetarian food with a lot of carbs, yet I lost weight and had lower blood sugar levels. The absence of processed chemicals made a noticeable difference. Crossing the street in India and Vietnam requires boldness-walk steadily and motorcycles will weave around you. When in doubt, follow an old woman; she’s survived crossing streets for decades. In India, drivers honk constantly, not in anger, but as a means of communication. I learned to recognize different types of honks. Ridesharing is lightning fast. Amazingly, you can order nearly anything through an app and have it delivered to your door within 15 minutes. If you want to shop like a local, ask a local about prices first. As a foreigner, I was initially overcharged 10 times the local rate.
I am committed to fostering peace and community, values that define my life. It is easy to retreat into anger and division, to see the world as “us” vs. “them.” But that is not the best use of our time on our planet. There is no “them.” There is only us. Let’s act like it.