Three musical acts from Aviles made to feel at home

One of the endearing qualities Mayor Nancy Shaver has brought to our community is the ability to address our sister cities and visiting Spanish dignitaries in their native language. As many trips to Spain as the City of St Augustine has financed, you would think our elected officials and staff who enjoy the benefit of those junkets would have learned to speak the language. They haven’t.

Mayor Shaver made a few welcoming remarks at the first official Celebrate 450 event last night, a free performance featuring bands Tejedor, Alexandra in Gray and Morrigans, all visiting us from Aviles.

When the mayor took the opportunity to address them in fluent Spanish, complete with the correct accentuation, the performers said they felt right at home.

MC for the evening was former Mayor Len Weeks, in his capacity as president of the St Augustine Sister Cities Association; the sponsor for the concert held in the Lewis Auditorium of Flagler College on Granada Street downtown.

Nearly every seat, which was free but required advance registration, was filled as the evening’s entertainment began. The musical acts will play another free show from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday in the Plaza on the Gazebo stage.