The Award-Winning Project On Stage Again

Silkroad’s American Railroad project sheds light on the profound yet often-overlooked contributions of Chinese and African Americans, as well as Indigenous, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and connecting railways across North America. Today, we're proud to share that this story's powerful journey continues, gaining new momentum as it resonates across the arts. As we prepare for the Fall 2025 tour, the American Railroadpodcast has been honored with a Signal Award in Arts & Culture, and two songs from the critically-acclaimed album are now under GRAMMY consideration.

In just a few weeks, an eight-piece ensemble led by internationally renowned pipa master, Wu Man, will take the stage in a powerful reimagining of this award-winning program. The program highlights thrilling collaborations of traditional percussion instruments from India, Japan, and Italy, alongside the exquisite tonal interplay of Chinese pipa, guitar, string instruments, and of course the unforgettable wild Chinese wind instrument suona and European accordion.

With breathtaking musicianship and evocative melodies, this Grammy Award-winning group challenges conventional narratives, unveiling a deeply human perspective that redefines the American experience and transports audiences through a cultural and historical odyssey. Featuring original compositions by Silkroad artists and guest composers, this performance amplifies the voices of those who built the railroads—and those who were displaced by them—painting a richer, more accurate picture of America’s past and its reverberations today.

NOV 07 November 7, 2025 Quick Center for the Arts Fairfield, CT Tickets

NOV 08 November 8, 2025 Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center Great Barrington, MA Tickets

NOV 09 November 9, 2025 Providence FirstWorks Providence, RI Tickets

NOV 13 November 13, 2025 Colonial Theatre Keene, NH Tickets

NOV 16 November 16, 2025 The Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD Tickets

Not able to attend in-person? Beyond the stage, the story of American Railroad is available in a Signal Award-winning podcast, an educational curriculum, an album, and a PBS series, My Music with Rhiannon Giddens.