Nothing at the gate tonight, and nothing at the gate Saturday either. That is unusual for a weekend in October.

Colonial Oak has Soul & Dagger tonight, and the venue’s own listing says FREE show in capitals.

They are an acoustic duo out of St. Augustine Beach.

The listing says all ages and friendly pups welcome.

What that listing does not say anywhere on it is when the two of them actually start playing.

Saturday’s entry for the Monroeville Band carries the line 7-10 PM right there in the description. Tonight’s entry carries no time at all.

The start field on it reads 10 in the morning. That is not when a duo plays. Plan on the evening. Check the sign.

On-site food is St. Augustine Seafood Company, which the venue names and does not price.

the festival charges nothing to walk in

The Greek Festival runs Saturday and Sunday at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2940 County Road 214.

It opens at 11 a.m. both days and runs to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Eight o’clock Saturday is the number to plan around, because that is closing and not last call.

Admission is free, and so is the parking, over at R J Murray Middle School on 150 N Holmes Blvd. STA Transportation runs a shuttle from that lot to the church and back.

The site’s own banner reads “Festival Rescheduled for October 17th & 18th,” and it does not say why.

Dogs are not allowed anywhere at this festival. Service animals are allowed with their person.

what twelve dollars buys

Free admission means the food is where all of the money goes. At a church festival that means a la carte.

What follows is the cheap half of the festival’s own published price list, which is the half worth queueing for.

A single chicken souvlaki skewer runs $9 at the a la carte window. Spanakopita is $5 a piece. Tyropita is $5 a piece. Dolmathes are three for $6. Greek beans are $3. Rice is $3. Pita is two for $1. A small Greek salad is $7.

The grill window is where the twelve dollar rule starts to pinch a little at this festival.

A gyro off the grill is $13, which is over the rule. With Greek fries it is $16. A chicken souvlaki sandwich is $13. With the fries it is $16. Chicken tenders are $12 exactly. The same with fries is $15. Large Greek fries alone are $6. Tzatziki is $3 on its own.

Split the large fries. Six dollars.

Pastry is the cheap seat in the house. Almost nobody treats it as the main event.

Kourabiedes are $2 apiece. Melomakarona are $2. Baklava is $5. Galaktoboureko is $5. Chocolate kok is $7. Plain kok is $7. Koulourakia are five for $5. Loukoumades are $7. Water is $2. A soft drink is $3. Greek coffee is $6. A frappe is $6.

The full dinners run $15 to $25 and the combo platters are $25 and $27, so when somebody tells you this festival is cheap they mean the a la carte line.

the order

Two spanakopita at $5, one Greek beans at $3, two pita at $1. That is $14 for two people.

It is their own price list added up. Not a combo they sell.

Drop one spanakopita. Add a water. That is $11 for two.

If the souvlaki line is long when you get there, the pastry window is the move.

Five dollars of baklava is a better Saturday than $13 of gyro.