All the Rivers
A Benefit for Vermont’s Immigrant Community
Main Stage
All the Rivers is a global ensemble featuring over 20 international musicians from 10 countries who now call Vermont home. Singing in six languages and weaving musical traditions from around the world, the group draws audiences into a powerful experience of story and connection—amplifying immigrant voices through performance while celebrating the cultural richness Vermont’s newest communities bring to our state.
Founded in 2024 by musical director and activist Avi Salloway (Billy Wylder / Bombino), All the Rivers brings together a remarkable group of artists whose work reflects stories of migration, identity, justice, displacement, love, and belonging.
The performance features the Burlington-based Congolese Choir; West African percussionists; Steeve Valcourt of Haiti’s Lakou Mizik; Colombian singer-songwriter Cintia Lovo; balafon master Ousmane Camara of Guinea; and violinist Ernesto Villalobos of Veracruz, Mexico, in collaboration with Salloway and his bandmates.
Building on the long-running success of Hug Your Farmer, the beloved annual fundraiser at the Flynn, this special performance is a benefit concert supporting basic needs for Vermont’s immigrant community—helping ensure families have access to food, healthcare, legal support, and the stability they need to thrive.
This has been a difficult year for many immigrant families in Vermont. Increased federal immigration enforcement and changes to eligibility for programs such as SNAP and Medicaid have deepened uncertainty for families already navigating complex challenges. Proceeds from the event will help meet immediate needs while building bridges between communities, direct service organizations, and artists whose leadership and cultural contributions strengthen Vermont’s social fabric and foster long-term change.
This concert is part of a broader ecosystem of support—pairing direct services for immigrant communities through organizations such as Migrant Justice and the Association of Africans Living in Vermont with long-term cultural change led by All the Rivers. By shaping public narrative, creating platforms for immigrant leadership, and building belonging through culture and connection, the ensemble helps strengthen Vermont’s cultural landscape and expand visibility for immigrant artists.
At a time when migration and identity are deeply politicized, All the Rivers offers a space for understanding and solidarity. The performance is both a celebration and a conversation about who we are, where we come from, and the connections that sustain us. It reflects the spirit of welcome that defines Vermont—a belief that our community is strongest when everyone feels seen, supported, and at home.
Website: https://alltheriversvt.org/
