Mavis Staples and St. Paul & The Broken Bones

Mavis Staples

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Mavis Staples will go down in history as one of the greatest gospel singers of all time, the breathtaking voice powering one of America's great family bands, The Staple Singers. From the traditional gospel music of the 1950s to the 1960s protest songs that underscored some of the decade's most dramatic social changes, from the self-empowerment anthems of the 1970s to the soulful love tunes and mature Americana of more recent years, Staples and her family have consistently created some of the best and most inspirational music of the past half-century.  Mavis Staples’ latest release, Livin’ on a High Note, released February 2016, features songs written especially for her by a diverse range of artists, including Nick Cave, Ben Harper, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, Neko Case, M. Ward, Tune-Yards and Son Little.  Coinciding with the release of the new album is the HBO documentary, Mavis!, that traces Staples' career and that of her family's. 

St. Paul & the Broken Bones

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Grit, elemental rhythm, tight-as-a-drumhead playing, and a profound depth of feeling: these are the promises of a great soul band. And St. Paul & The Broken Bones deliver on those promises with performances that harken back to classic soul roots while extending the form with electrifying potency.  Front man Paul Janeway’s handle “St. Paul” is a wry allusion to the vocalist’s grounding in the church. Like many a legendary soul singer, Janeway, a native of the small town of Chelsea, Alabama, was raised on the gospel side, in a non-denominational, Pentecostal-leaning local church. Virtually no non-religious music could be heard in his devout household. Janeway says, “The only secular music that I heard at all was a ‘70s group called the Stylistics, and Sam Cooke. That was about it. The rest of it was all gospel music. When I was about 10 years old, I was groomed to be a minister. My goal in life until I was about 18 years old was to be a preacher.”

VIP Experience - $150/single ticket

Begin the evening at 6 p.m. with complimentary signature cocktails, drinks and dinner in the new Community Square at the Levitt Shell. VIP guests will receive reserved parking and reserved VIP seating for the concert.  VIP guests will enjoy complimentary food and drinks before the concert, and access to the VIP cash bar and VIP restrooms during the concert.

General Admission - $45/ticket 

General admission is open lawn seating in the general admission seating area. Tickets are $45/ticket in advance, or $50/ticket if purchased at the door. 

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

All proceeds from this event support the more than fifty free concerts and events held at the Levitt Shell each year.  We thank you for your support!

• Food and beverages (including wine and beer) will be sold at concession stands. 


• VIP ticket holders will have free food and drinks pre-concert, and VIP cash bar during concert.


• This event is rain or shine. No refunds.


• Lawn chairs and blankets are welcomed. VIP ticket holders will have seating provided.


• The Levitt Shell is wheelchair accessible.


• No outside food, drinks or pets allowed at this event only.


• No professional photography, video or audio recording equipment.


• Kids 12 and under are admitted free in general admission area only.