The dates have been announced for the 24th Season of the Music & Art by the Sea free concert series. This iconic event was launched back in 2002 and is still produced by the all volunteer St Augustine Beach Civic Association (SABCA). The concerts are held in the Pavilion at the St Johns County Pier Park in St Augustine Beach. Past President Robert Samuels and his wife Andrea noticed the pavilion which had recently been renovated, was not very busy especially on weekday evenings. “We thought it would be great to give local residents a chance to enjoy a casual dinner together with a little music”, Samuels said. “Our first show included a local three piece band, a guy cooking hot dogs on a Coleman Camping Stove and about 40 people in their lounge chairs.” That first season consisted of just three shows but it didn’t take long the number of shows to multiply!

Entering Season 24, SABCA and Its sponsors have produced more than 250 free concerts featuring mostly local bands presenting music from many different genres. Occasionally, budget and tour schedules allowed SABCA to bring in acts that SABCA would not normally be able to afford. According to current SABCA President and Producer of the series, up and coming acts as well as those who are in the twilight of their career contact us regularly. When the stars align, some magical moments have occurred at the pavilion. “In our 10th Anniversary season we were able to present two members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” Jones said. Terry Sylvester of The Hollies and the late Denny Laine, one of the founding members of The Moody Blues and Wings (Paul McCartney) presented an unforgettable British Invasion Show. On the up-and-coming list was Florida native Maggie Baugh. Baugh who appeared three times at Music by the Sea before her move to Nashville now has her own writing and publishing deal, and when she’s not performing solo, Maggie is a member of Keith Urban’s Band.

Perhaps the funniest and most flattering phone call SABCA has ever received came from the management of the very popular Gainesville band Sister Hazel. “After our 10th Anniversary Show Sister Hazel’s promoter reached out and offered to make a great deal,” Jones said. “It probably was a great deal but the number was bigger than 5 years of our total entertainment budget! We were flattered and excited that someone in the real entertainment world had heard of our series.”Music & Art by the Sea had a very modest beginning but over the years has developed a loyal following as well as a large number of fans who vacation here. According to Jones “if the weather is decent or better, we can count on 700 or more people to show up with their beach chairs and dancing shoes. The better the weather the bigger the crowd! Our patrons love music, art and other people who love those things too.” SABCA partners with the Art Studio, a guild of 100 local artists who have a gallery at the Pier Park. Local artwork is on display and available for sale before end during the event. A local food truck is also on site for each show. And while many people enjoy the food truck, others come early a patronize local businesses on the boulevard. The economic impact of these events is good for restaurants, hotels, vacation rentals, shops and even convenience stores!

When asked how long the series will last, Jones said “there was a time when I thought it would never end and now I’m not so sure. We face a lot of challenges and money is at the top of the list. During the first 13 years we only had to concern ourselves with paying the bands. A little over a decade ago the County stunned all of us by asking us to pay rent on the pavilion and the sand around it. The City used to provide two police officers for the event. That expense is now absorbed by SABCA and that number is now even higher as three officers are assigned and the cost per hour has nearly double over the last 5 years.” And if that’s not enough, SABCA’s insurance carrier has mentioned that in spite of a clean claims record, event insurance premiums could skyrocket in the 49 – 50% range. “When people here that an all-volunteer non-profit is paying all of the expenses for a free community event, they are stunned”, Jones said. The good news is that this years dates are set and SABCA and it’s volunteers will begin looking ahead at how to ensure the free community event remails free.

Here are the dates only for the 2026 Season – Band names will be added soon!
Here are the dates only for the 2026 Season – All shows are on Wednesdays. Band names will be added soon!
Wednesday April 1st – Special Pop Up Concert
May 20, and 27
June 3, 10, 17 and 24
August 19, 26
September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 (rain date)

Why We Ask You to Leave the Dog at Home

I’m one of the biggest dog lovers you’ll ever meet—but even I know there are places where dogs simply don’t belong. When I decide to leave my pup at home, it’s never arbitrary. I ask myself two simple questions:

Is the place I’m going appropriate for a dog?

Is the environment safe and comfortable for my dog?

If the answer to either is “no,” then my furry friend stays home.

Lately, we’ve had a few concertgoers ask if they can bring their dogs into the pavilion during our live events. While we understand the desire to share experiences with your pet, the only exception to our policy is for individuals with a disability who rely on a trained service animal that performs a specific task.

Here’s why: our pavilion is packed with people—some seated, most dancing—and the music from our DJs and bands easily reaches 80+ decibels. It’s a high-energy, high-volume environment that’s not pet-friendly and certainly not safe. A dog could get loose and stepped on, or even cause someone to trip over a leash. We could list more risks, but we trust you get the picture.

Our pet policy isn’t new. It’s been in place for years and is modeled after policies used by Publix and other public venues. We welcome legitimate service animals that assist their human companions, but emotional support or assistance animals are not permitted.

SABCA pays rent and assumes responsibility for everything that happens in the pavilion and on the three volleyball courts to the west. Our goal is simple: keep everyone—human and animal—safe.

So, to borrow a line from a classic children’s rhyme: Knick knack paddywhack… please leave the dog at home.

Twenty-three years ago, my predecessor Robert Samuels and his wife launched a simple but powerful idea: Music by the Sea. Their goal was to bring neighbors together for an evening of music, food, and connection. That first season featured just three shows—but the spirit of community caught on quickly.

By 2016, the series had grown to 17 concerts in a single season. That same year, we deepened our commitment to the arts by partnering with a fellow nonprofit, the Art Studio Group. SABCA had proudly supported the founding of the Art Studio and continued to invest in many of their creative initiatives.

Eventually, this collaboration inspired a rebrand—and Music & Art by the Sea was born. What began as a local concert series has blossomed into a beloved cultural tradition, blending live music and visual art in a way that celebrates the heart of St. Augustine Beach. Today, it’s not just a community event—it’s a signature experience for residents and visitors alike.

As we prepare to wrap up Season 23 this September, the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association will have presented more than 300 free concerts—made possible by our generous sponsors and the unwavering support of our community. In recent years, we’ve introduced a 50/50 raffle to help boost compensation for our talented musicians, ensuring their artistry is honored and sustained.

Next week, I’ll spotlight some of the incredible bands that have filled our beachside evenings with joy, rhythm, and unforgettable memories.

We all say it—“It’s great to see you.” It’s one of those everyday phrases we toss around without thinking. But over the last six weeks, those words have taken on a deeper, more personal meaning for me.

In mid-May, as I was working on the weekly newsletter for Music & Art by the Sea, I was suddenly hit with flashes of light and blurred vision. A scare for anyone—but especially alarming for me, since I rely entirely on one eye for my sight.

I immediately reached out to my longtime ophthalmologist, Dr. Russ Nelligan. After a quick exam, he delivered some tough news: I had a tear and a partial retinal detachment. Within an hour, I was en route to Southeastern Retina Specialists for emergency treatment under the care of Dr. John Sullivan.

That initial procedure was a crucial—though temporary—step in preserving my vision. Just 48 hours later, I was in surgery. The road to recovery began, and thankfully, it’s gone well. I’m healing steadily and on track to be back at 100% by mid-August.

I’m sharing this journey for a couple of important reasons.

First, I want to encourage everyone to treat medical issues with urgency. My doctors unanimously told me that if I’d waited even a day or two longer, I could’ve faced permanent vision loss. Quick action truly made all the difference.

Second, I have some deeply heartfelt thanks to give. Huge gratitude to my emergency driver, “Dancin’ Mark” Lilly, who got me to the Retina Center without delay. A special shout-out to my incredible wife, Gaye, for holding my hand and doing everything she could to care for me. While Gaye is an amazing wife and mom, she’ll be the first to admit that caregiving usually isn’t her lane—but she stepped up in every way.

Thank you to my dear friend Andrea Samuels for the delicious chicken pot pie (comfort food at its finest) and her always-reliable nursing wisdom.  Our IT volunteer Wayne Fusco stepped in and did a stellar job as guest emcee.  And of course, a big round of applause for the dedicated volunteers who kept the Wednesday concerts running smoothly in my absence. You’re all rock stars.

So, the next time we cross paths and I say, “It’s great to see you,” just know—it’s not just a friendly phrase. I truly mean it from the heart. I’m genuinely thankful to see you.