Backward River Festival: Damen Silo City

Saturday, June 8, 2024 | 2 to 6 p.m.


Canalport Riverwalk Park
2900 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60608

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE | PLAN YOUR VISIT | OUR PARTNERS

The Freshwater Lab at the University of Illinois Chicago invites you to reclaim your water and foster a sense of joy and possibility through music, performance and community connection. Meet us where the legendary Damen Grain Silos tower over the South Branch of the storied Chicago River.

Free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary to attend. 

  • Celebrate the efforts and achievements of environmental justice advocates and artists. 
  • Learn about the history of the silos and their current state.
  • Enjoy knowledge-sharing and performances on the main stage.
  • Imagine alternatives for the silos while considering the impact of demolition on residents. 
  • Engage with the river and each other through curated activities and art installations.
  • Connect in meaningful ways with representatives from community-based organizations.

The Backward River Festival: Damen Silo City is the final event of a program supported by the University of Illinois Presidential Initiative for Arts and Humanities in which The Freshwater Lab hosted cultural events along the South Branch of the Chicago River: a two-day festival in October 2021 at Park 571; an activation event in September 2022 at Canalport Riverwalk Park to launch Rio de Bienvenida/River of Welcome; and another festival in June 2023 at Park 571 to unveil Rio de Bienvenida/River of Welcome. The Backward River Festival: Damen Silo City is also supported by a generous donation from the Chicago Frontlines Funding Initiative.

Español
The Freshwater Lab de la Universidad de Illinois Chicago te invita a recuperar tu agua y fomentar un sentido de alegría y posibilidad a través de la música, el arte y la conexión comunitaria. Encuéntranos donde los legendarios Silos de Granos Damen se alzan sobre la Rama Sur del histórico río Chicago.

Gratis y abierto al público.

  • Celebra los esfuerzos y logros de los defensores de la justicia ambiental y artistas.

  • Aprende sobre la historia de los silos y su estado actual.

  • Disfruta del intercambio de conocimientos y actuaciones en el escenario principal.

  • Imagina alternativas para los silos mientras consideras el impacto de la demolición en los residentes.

  • Participa en actividades seleccionadas e instalaciones artísticas.

  • Conecta de manera significativa con representantes de organizaciones comunitarias.

El Festival Backward River: Damen Silo City es el evento final de un programa respaldado por Presidential Initiative for Arts and Humanities de la Universidad de Illinois, en el cual The Freshwater Lab organizó eventos culturales a lo largo de la Rama Sur del río Chicago: un festival de dos días en octubre de 2021 en el Parque 571; un evento de activación en septiembre de 2022 en el Parque Canalport Riverwalk para lanzar el Río de Bienvenida; y otro festival en junio de 2023 en el Parque 571 para presentar el Río de Bienvenida. El Festival Backward River: Damen Silo City también cuenta con el generoso apoyo de una donación de Chicago Frontlines Funding Initiative.

Help spread the word!

Bridgeport, Little Village, McKinley Park, Pilsen, Chinatown and SouthSide community residents, stand up! Bring your family and friends with you. Help spread the word by sharing the event on your social media accounts.

Use the hashtags #TheBackwardRiver #DamenSiloCity #ChicagoRiver #Chicago and tag The Freshwater Lab in your posts!

Facebook event page

LinkedIn event page

Eventbrite (No tickets are necessary to attend)

Volunteer

Interested in serving as a volunteer at the festival? Submit a volunteer sign-up form!

Festival schedule

Performance stage

Enjoy knowledge-sharing and artistic performances.  

Start time End time
2:15 PM 2:25 Welcome
A history of the silos
The Freshwater Lab
2:25 2:45 “What the Water Gave Me: A Water Ritual” & Drag Loteria
La Cindy Nero
2:45 2:50 “Is Sims Metals Really A ‘Good Neighbor’?”
Citlalli Trujillo, P.E.R.R.O.
2:50 3:10 Excerpts from “Mothering the Movement”
Free Street Theater
3:10 3:15 Kim Wasserman, LVEJO
3:15 3:20 Griselda Chavez, WWJ
3:20 3:40 Musical performance
Jarochicanos
Intermission
4 4:10 Welcome back
The silos today
The Freshwater Lab
4:10 4:15 Adriana Black, Odehmenan Health Equity Center
4:15 4:35 “Chicago Currents”
Chicago Fringe Opera
4:35 4:40 Kate Eakin, McKinley Park Development Council
4:40 5 Poetry performance
Dez Brown
5:25 5:45 Musical performance
Pugs Atomz
5:20 5:25 Alfredo Romo, N4EJ
5 5:20 “water riot in beta: a cyber punk rock opera”
Composed by Derek McPhatter and Mike Przygoda
5:45 5:50 A future for the silos is possible
Call to action
Closing and gratitude
The Freshwater Lab and Yuri Lane 

Interactive activities

Engage with the river and each other through curated interactive activities and art installations.

Start time End time Activity
2 PM 2:45 Participate in a guided bird walk along the river
Meet near east entrance of park. Loaner bonaculars available. Beginners encouraged!
Chicago BIPOC Birders
2 6 Collaboratively construct a sculpture of what it might be like inside the silos
¡Anímate! Studio
2 6 Fish and monitor birds along the river
Shedd Aquarium
2 6 Make and launch seed bombs into the river
Urban Rivers
3 5 Engage in creative expression and activism in this hands-on art workshop where you’ll decorate a mini diorama of the silos
Delilah “Zena” Salgado
3:45 4:30 Join Nance Klehm on a short walk along the river to admire and understand the soil and vegetation
Social Ecologies

Community expo (2 to 6 p.m.)

Connect in meaningful ways with representatives from these community-based organizations.

Plan for your attendance

hGetting there

Brace yourself! The festival grounds are not easy to find. But that’s the point. We’re trying to bring attention and love to a neglected public riverfront park. By attending, consider yourself an official co-conspirator.

The festival will take place on the west side of Canalport Riverwalk Park. 

The best address to use for drop-off, pick-up, rideshares, etc. is 1901 W. 29th St., Chicago, IL 60608 (the FedEx Ground facility across from the west side of the park). The west side entrance of the park is directly across from the sign that reads “ENTER: Anthony Marano Company” on 29th St. This is the closest entrance/exit to the festival grounds. 

You may also enter Canalport Riverwalk Park via Ashland Ave. on one of two paths: north Ashland Ave. entrance or south Ashland Ave. entrance (though they’re very close to each other). Once in the park, walk along the riverwalk to the west side of the park. The best address to use if you drive to the festival and park on Ashland Ave. is 2900 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60608.

There is a group of festival-goers who are meeting at the Ashland Ave. Orange Line CTA train station at 1:45 p.m. and walking over to the festival grounds from there. Join the group and make new friends even before arriving to the festival!

Backward River Festival Map

Safety and accessibility
We are committed to fostering a festival environment that is inclusive, safe and accessible to everyone. We do not tolerate any harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, body size, appearance, age or national origin. To request accommodations, email thefreshwaterlab@gmail.com.

River access
For your safety, do not enter the water or launch watercraft onto the river. Exercise extreme caution along the river’s edge especially in areas where there are no safety barriers present.

COVID-19
If you are sick, stay home. Wear a mask in public if you are at high risk for illness or are sick. For more information and updated guidance, visit cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses.

Parking
Street parking is available on Ashland Ave. between the Ashland Avenue Bridge to the north and W. Marketplace Access Rd. to the south. The best address to use if you drive to the festival and park on Ashland Ave. is 2900 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60608. The use of public transportation is encouraged where possible. The CTA Orange Line and the Ashland, Archer and Damen Ave. bus lines have stops very close to the park.

parking map

What to bring

  • Foldable chair or picnic blanket
  • Filled reusable water bottle or hydration pack
  • Face mask
  • Snacks
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (comfortable layers and dancing shoes)
  • Your friends and family!

Notice of filming and photography
Photographers and/or news media may be present at this event. Participating and being present during the event gives the University of Illinois Chicago the right to use photographs or video/audio recordings taken of you during the event for educational or promotional purposes and for sharing with external news media. If you do not wish to appear in photographs or be recorded, please avoid this area at this time or contact an on-site staff member or volunteer.

Our Partners

Performance stage

Down by the riverside

Community expo