Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
The Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival celebrates its 21st year this Saturday and Sunday in Grant Park (Columbus and Jackson) with four stages of salsa, merengue, reggaeton, plena, mariachi music, norteño, and other Spanish-language pop. The music begins at noon on Saturday and 1 PM on Sunday, and each evening’s headliners play the Petrillo Music Shell. Saturday’s highlights include La India Canela, Aterciopelados, La Excelencia, and a set at Petrillo honoring late percussionist Manny Oquendo, who played in bands led by Chano Pozo, Tito Puente, and Eddie Palmieri as well as leading his own group, the long-running Conjunto Libre; performers include bassist Andy Gonzalez, trombonist Jimmy Bosch, singer and percussionist Frankie Vazquez, and singer Herman Olivera. La India Canela returns on Sunday, and the day’s lineup’s also includes Banda Manzanera, the Salsa Chicago Mambo All-Stars Orchestra, and a dance party with DJs Aguzate and El Caobo; Petrillo headliner Lila Downs has had to cancel due to a ruptured appendix, and she’s been replaced by Javier Garcia. Other amenities at the festival include arts and crafts demonstrations (presented by the Old Town School of Folk Music and the National Museum of Mexican Art) and a Kid’s Zone (which will receive a visit from the Chicago Fire’s mascot, Sparky).
