Chicago is blessed with some of the best free public music programming in the country, if not the world. In addition to the incredible array of music programmed in the festival format, the series that occur in Millennium Park provide access to top notch jazz, world, and classical music for the whopping price of free.

This week brings us two incredible concerts in Millennium Park, both part of the Music Without Borders series programmed by Department of Cultural Affairs music guru Michael Orlove. Come out and enjoy the serene setting and soulful sounds by an array of Dominican musicians on Thursday and the African music superstars Orchestra Baobab on Saturday.

On Thursday, the series presents the Bachata Roja Concert: Unsung Heroes, Rediscovered Icons, featuring early icons from the Dominican Republic. There is a CD compilation of the same name, Bachata Roja, filled with select tracks from this era of music that has been stuck my CD player since I picked it up. It's guitar driven music with an incredible sense of melody and rhythm, and a buoyant spirit that pervades every track.

Not that these names mean anything to you now, but after you go to the show on Thursday they will: the concert features Ramon Cordero and El Chivo Sin Ley, Edilio Paredes, and Joan Soriano, who is an up and coming bachatero from the younger generation. In addition to the already fantastic lineup, for good measure a Cape Verdean singer by the name of Mayra Andrade opens the night.

On Saturday, a band you might be more familiar with takes the stage: Orchestra Baobab. The Senegalese super group has achieved a high level of visibility for the world music crowd with extensive touring and good documentation on a number of acclaimed albums. They are world music in the true sense of the word, incorporating a bevy of influences while remaining grounded in their local musical language.

This is a special Saturday night appearance for the Music Without Borders series, and as such it has a later start time: 8:30 PM. Perfect timing to catch Stevie Wonder's set earlier that day at Taste of Chicago, grab a bite or three to eat, and then mosey over to Millennium Park.

If you want to wade into these musical waters before you take a dip, check out the shiny e-card that was produced for the whole Music Without Borders series, featuring music samples for your listening pleasure.

-by Daniel Melnick