Bomba is the older Afro-Puerto Rican drum-and-dance tradition that salsa grew out of, and this set walks the line between the two rather than treating them as separate genres. It is free, it is outdoors at the west end of the Riverwalk, and it is the strongest free downtown thing on Sunday afternoon on a board where Sunday daytime runs thin. Two hours is short enough to build a walk along the river around it.
What to expect
An open-air Riverwalk plaza rather than a seated venue, live drumming and dance that invites the crowd in, and passers-by joining the edges of the audience. Seating is first-come, first-served and limited, so standing is normal.
Good to know
- DCASE states all World Music Festival performances are free.
- The program is listed all ages.
- The Confluence sits at the west end of the Riverwalk near Lake and Wacker.
- Seating is first-come, first-served and capacity along the Riverwalk is limited.
- It runs only two hours, so arriving near 2 p.m. catches the full set.
Going? Keep it.
Also in Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Common questions
What is bomba?
An Afro-Puerto Rican drum and dance tradition, and one of the roots of salsa.
Where exactly is The Confluence?
At 342 W Wacker Dr, on the Chicago Riverwalk.