Free Music at St. Augustine's 450th Anniversary!

Mavis Staples plays for free Sept. 4. Stock photo.

What a present for us -  the lovely St. Augustine, Fla. celebrates its 450th anniversary Sept.4-8 with a big fat free street party, and  they will have a bunch of free music shows and fireworks!

On Friday, Sept. 4, Mavis Staples and Aaron Neville headline. On Saturday, Sept. 5 -- Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, Justin Townes Earle, North Florida homeboy JJ Grey and Mofro, and Emylou Harris and Rodney Crowell will perform.  The festival has five stages in all, with the big acts on a stage at the Bridge of Lions along the riverfront. Nice!

Aaron Neville. Stock photo.

All around the cobblestone downtown area, performers will be playing on the smaller stages. You can catch the likes of Sam Pacetti, Gatorbone, salsa, flamenco, Greek dancers, bagpipes, West African drummers,bluegrass bands, choruses, and more. (Favorite title of the smaller stage bands: Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizards.)

JJ Grey. festgrrl photo.

Noirmally, this is the part where I tell you how much tickets cost. Nothing!! The schedule of events is here, and you can get your questions answered here.