Boka Marimba is a ten-member dance band that plays exhilarating, positive-energy music from Zimbabwe and other areas of southeastern Africa. The music is in the Shona style: Melodic themes and variations layered in polyrhythmic, cyclic patterns. People, on hearing this music for the first time, have often described the feeling as one of coming home. Some have spoken of dancing for the first time in their lives, or for the first time ever out of the privacy of their living rooms. People of all ages respond with enthusiasm and delight. At one outdoor festival, an elderly gentleman came up and said, "This was some of the best entertainment of my life. I tried to stay seated, but finally had to get up and dance."

The band's instrumentation consists of seven marimbas (two sopranos, one alto, two tenors, a baritone, and a bass), gourd shakers called hosho, mbira ("thumb piano"), and drums. The songs are sung in the Shona language.

Boka Marimba at Winter Light Festival SoundsTruckNW Stage

Saturday, February 10, 2024 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (PST)
World Trade Center Portland, Portland, OR, United States

Boka plays at the Sounds Truck NW stage. Join us for some fun music, dancing, and LIGHTS!  

Free

Boka Marimba at the Beaverton Farmers Market

Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 8:30am – 1:00pm (PDT)
Beaverton Farmers Market, Beaverton, OR, United States

Boka is back at the Beaverton Farmers Market.

This is a huge market and a beautiful setting by the fountains. Grab some food and dance to th…

Free

Boka Marimba at Bridgeport Village

Sunday, August 27, 2023 @ 2:00pm – 4:00pm (PDT)
Bridgeport Village, Tigard, OR, United States

Join Boka Marimba for this special concert in the plaza of Bridgeport Village.

Free

Boka Marimba at The Bridge Pedal 2023

Sunday, August 13, 2023 @ 7:00am – 10:30am (PDT)
Marquam Bridge, Portland, OR, USA

Boka returns to the Marquam bridge to entertain the bikers and walkers at the Providence Bridge Pedal, a very Portland event. Join us for s…

Free

Zimfest 2023: Evening Concert

Saturday, August 5, 2023 @ 7:15pm – 10:45pm (PDT)
McNary Field at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States

Schedule:

7:15pm-8pm: ZiMBiRA — 10-piece Afrojam band steeped in traditional Zimbabwean music

8:10pm-8:55pm: Anzanga Marimba Ensemble — Seatt…

$18 ($12 ages 6-11; ages 5 & under free)

Boka Marimba at the Lake Oswego Farmers Market

Saturday, July 29, 2023 @ 10:30am – 12:30pm (PDT)
Lake Oswego Farmers' Market, Lake Oswego, OR, United States

Boka Marimba performs at the Lake Oswego Farmer's Market.

Free

Boka Marimba at Red Shed Summer Concert Series

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 @ 7:00pm – 9:00pm (PDT)
Little Red Shed at McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale, OR, United States

Boka Marimba performs at the Little Red Shed at McMenamins Edgefield.

Free

Boka Marimba at The Grand Lodge

Friday, June 30, 2023 @ 6:30pm – 8:30pm (PDT)
McMenamins Grand Lodge Hotel, Forest Grove, OR, United States

Boka is happy to be back at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. Join us for some lively music or make it an overnight stay. 

Free

Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series: Boka Marimba

Tuesday, June 27, 2023 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm (PDT)
Pioneer Courthouse, Portland, OR, United States

The Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series returns for its 31st year on Tuesdays throughout June and July! From noon-1pm enjoy music from some of…

Free

Boka Marimba at Green Anchors

Friday, June 16, 2023 @ 7:45pm – 9:00pm (PDT)
Green Anchors, Portland, OR, United States

Join us at the Green Anchors fundraiser brought to you by volunteers of Windmill Neighborhood at Pickathon. Green Anchors strives to showca…

$15-$40 sliding scale

Boka Marimba at Providence Bridge Pedal 2022

Sunday, August 14, 2022 @ 7:00am – 10:00am (PDT)
Marquam Bridge, Portland, OR, USA

Boka Marimba plays on Interstate 5 at the top of the Marquam Bridge. Join the ride (or the walk) and take a break atop the bridge to enjoy …

Free

Boka Plays at First Thursday

Thursday, August 4, 2022 @ 7:00pm – 9:00pm (PDT)
NW 12th Ave & Northwest Flanders Street, Portland, OR, United States

Enjoy some music on this delightful, shady street corner during First Thursday.

The First Thursday Street Gallery runs from April to October…

Free

Boka Marimba at the Lake Oswego Farmers Market

Saturday, June 4, 2022 @ 10:30am – 12:30pm (PDT)
Lake Oswego Farmers' Market, Lake Oswego, OR, United States

Boka Marimba is a ten-member dance band that plays exhilarating, positive-energy music from Zimbabwe and other areas of southeastern Africa…

Free