In 2003, neo-soul diva India.Arie attended the Grammy awards presentation for the second time. That evening changed her life; and gold trophies had nothing to do with that metamorphosis. “I felt like I was being caught up in a bunch of stuff that didn’t matter to me,” she said. “So the night after the Grammys I wrote a mission statement that I say at every show to this day: ‘My mission is to spread love, healing, peace and joy through the power of words and music.'”

Faithful to that mission, she and her special guest, Idan Raichel are touring their program, “Open Door: A Songversation” which will be presented Saturday night at the Music Center at Strathmore. The two share songs from their new album “Open Door,” a bilingual English/Hebrew release that joyfully proclaims messages of acceptance and unity among mankind.