The Healing Roots of Bomba

March 19 and March 21, 2026 at the Sorenson Unity Center

Bomba Marilé invites you to join us for an uplifting weekend of health and wellness through bomba music and dance. We are honored to have Hector Cruz and Jannira Roman visiting us directly from Puerto Rico to share their knowledge and guidance. They are part of a group called SanArte Cultura. SanArte Cultura is a transformative healing space in Puerto Rico that integrates Bomba—a traditional Afro-Caribbean art—with meditation, drumming, coaching, mentoring, psychotherapy, and dance to foster deep healing, empowerment, and spiritual growth. Through the rhythm of Bomba, they create immersive experiences where movement, sound, and self-expression become tools for personal transformation. 

The entire weekend is free thanks to the financial support from Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Creative West, National Endowment for the Arts, Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks, Salt Lake City Arts Council, and the Sorenson Unity Center.

Location all weekend:
Sorenson Unity Center
1383 S 900 W SLC

Thursday March 19, 2026 
5:30-7:30pm Bomba Dance workshop with a focus on mental health

Saturday March 21, 2026 
3-5 pm Bomba Dance Workshop with a focus on mental health
5:30-7pm Live Bomba Music and Dance

Viento (Wind)

Bomba Marilé invites you to join us for a full day of honoring how we represent the natural element of the wind within Puerto Rican bomba music and dance. This will be the final in a 4 part series connecting each natural element to bomba. We have the privilege of having the talented Jeanitza Aviles directly from Puerto Rico for this event. The entire day is free thanks to the financial support from Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Creative West, National Endowment for the Arts, Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks, Salt Lake City Arts Council, National Folklife Network, and the Sorenson Unity Center.

Location:
Sorenson Unity Center
1383 S 900 W SLC

12-2pm Bomba Dance Class by Jeanitza Aviles 
3-5 pm Bomba Dance Class by Jeanitza Aviles 
5:30-7pm Live Bomba Music 


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Bomba Marilé los invita a unirse con nosotros para honrar como el viento se representa en la música y el baile de la bomba Puertorriqueña. Esta será la ultima de una serie de 4 partes que conectarán cada elemento natural con la bomba. Tendremos el privilegio de contar con la maestra Jeanitza Aviles directo de Puerto Rico que nos enseñará en este evento. Todo el día es gratuito, no pierdas la oportunidad de aprender y disfrutar. Gracias al apoyo financiero de Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Creative West, National Folklike Network, National Endowment for the Arts, Salt Lake City Arts Council, Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks, y el Sorenson Unity Center.

Ubicación:
Sorenson Unity Center
1383 S 900 W SLC

12-2pm Taller de baile de bomba por Jeanitza Aviles 
3-5 pm Taller de baile de bomba por Jeanitza Aviles 
5:30-7pm Musica de bomba en vivo 

We are committed to ensuring that our event is accessible to all attendees. Our venue is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring:
Accessible Entrances: All main entrances are equipped automatic doors for easy access.
Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are available throughout the venue.
Seating: Designated wheelchair spaces are provided in the event area, with companion seating nearby.
Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available close to the venue entrance.
Assistance: Staff will be on hand to provide assistance as needed. Please feel free to reach out for help.
If you have specific accessibility needs or require additional accommodations, please contact us in advance, and we will do our best to assist you. We look forward to welcoming you to our event.

Free community Bomba classes

Have you seen Bomba Marilé sharing bomba before? Would you like the opportunity to learn more about bomba? Join us for free community bomba classes every Saturday in April, May, and June 2025 from 3-4pm at the Sorenson Unity Center 1383 S 900 W, SLC.

Bring comfortable shoes, a long skirt if you would like to dance with a skirt, and a water bottle. Classes will go over maraca, cua, dance, and the history of bomba.

You do not need to register and you can join us any Saturday you are able to come. All ages are welcome but children should be present with a guardian.

Thank you to the Sorenson Unity Center and the Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks for the support. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/3792927317638347/3792927324305013/

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¿Has visto a Bomba Marilé compartiendo bomba antes? Te gustaría tener la oportunidad de aprender más sobre bomba? Únete con nosotros para las clases comunitarias gratuitas de bomba todos los sábados de Abril, Mayo y Junio del 2025, de 3-4 p. m. en el Sorenson Unity Center 1383 S 900 W, SLC. Trae zapatos cómodos, una falda larga si quisieras bailar con falda, y una botella de agua. En las clases se hablará sobre maraca, cua, baile, y la historia de la bomba. No necesitas registrarte, tu puedes unirte a cualquier sábado que puedas venir. Todas las edades son bienvenidas, pero los niños deben estar presentes con un adulto. Gracias al Sorenson Unity Center y al Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks por el apoyo.

We are committed to ensuring that our event is accessible to all attendees. Our venue is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring:
Accessible Entrances: All main entrances are equipped automatic doors for easy access.
Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are available throughout the venue.
Seating: Designated wheelchair spaces are provided in the event area, with companion seating nearby.
Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available close to the venue entrance.
Assistance: Staff will be on hand to provide assistance as needed. Please feel free to reach out for help.
If you have specific accessibility needs or require additional accommodations, please contact us in advance, and we will do our best to assist you. We look forward to welcoming you to our event!

Community Bombazo (June 24)

Saturday June 24th, 2023 from 5-8pm at the Jordan River Nature Center

Bomba Marilé invites you to sing, dance, and play bomba with us on Saturday June 24th, 2023 from 5-8pm at the Jordan River Nature Center. This is a free event and open to all. Please bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to share. We are excited to have visiting bombero Joe Goglia from Arizona at this event. Event will be held outdoors.

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Los invitamos a cantar, tocar, y bailar bomba con Bomba Marilé el Sabado 24 de Junio en el Jordan River Nature Center de 5-8pm. El evento es gratis y abierto a todos. Por favor traigan comida o bebidas sin alcohol para compartir. Estamos emocionados de tener bombero visitante Joe Goglia de Arizona viniendo a este evento. El evento será afuera.

Living Traditions 2021

The Living Legacy video series showcases Salt Lake City’s diverse community through storytelling on how these various communities keep their traditions and legacies alive today. This week features Bomba Marilé.

The Living Legacy video series showcases Salt Lake City’s diverse community through storytelling on how these various communities keep their traditions and legacies alive today. This week features Bomba Marilé.

Bomba Marilé was established in November of 2017 with the purpose of sharing Afro Puerto Rican traditions of Bomba music and dance with the greater Utah community. Since their initiation, they have organized Bomba workshops with visiting instructors, social events including dominos and picnics, and educational activities such as showing documentaries discussing issues related to Puerto Rico.

Bomba Marilé has had the opportunity to perform at various cultural events throughout Utah including Living Traditions Festival, West Side Dance Cinco de Mayo Festival, Mondays at the Park, and the Utah County Fair. They are grateful for the opportunity to highlight their musical traditions from Puerto Rico and to share them with those who support the cultural arts.

Photo & video by TWIG Media Lab 

The video even included a clip of jamming with Taller Bula, Bomba Liberté, Taller Kurubina  and all the amazing bomberx in Cali, highlighting Jade Power Sotomayor while dancing. Shout out to the peeps in Southern Cali for creating such welcoming and beautiful community.