Eight music stages, areas for microbreweries, a mini-Mardi Gras, circus, and martini lounge will take over downtown for the weekend, giving the Southern California city a decidedly international feel.

Jewel and Ronnie Spector take the main stage Friday, but are hardly the only draw the inaugural day of the festival.

The Robert Cray Band, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, the Young Dubliners, Super Diamond, and David Lindley are among the other acts on hand for opening day.

The Street Scene kicks into high gear on Saturday, Sept. 9, with Chris Isaak and Joan Osborne leading the way. Los Lobos, George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic, Maceo Parker, ¡Cubanismo!, Jurassic 5, Richard Thompson and Los Straightjackets are other highlights.

Focus shifts on Sunday to newer acts and gospel music. Sugar Ray, Unwritten Law, Sprung Monkey, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Lucy Pearl, Burning Spear and his Burning Band, and Buju Banton head up the rock/pop/world music mix. A Gospel Stage features Marva Wright, Chosen Generation, Expression, The New Brothers of Praise and Mada Boy Choir.

Music may be the Street Scene’s big draw, but there’s plenty to do that won’t make your ears bleed.

The Quebec City performance troup Cirque Eos makes its California debut at Street Scene, presenting a program called “Imaginary” featuring actors and acrobats, inventive props and lighting, illusions, and contortionism in the style of Cirque du Soleil.

In addition, there will be a Mardi Gras-style celebration, the Bindelstiff Family Circus, Fern Street Circus, Taste of San Diego, a block-long margarita bar, Martini Alley and the Dragon House – a night of raunchy musical comedy delivered by drag queen divas.