La Fete de la Musique began in France in 1982 as a way to recognize musicians and entertain the public during the summer solstice. The thinking, clearly, was that maypoles just didn't cut it anymore.

I was in Paris once for the event, which was like nothing I had ever seen. You wandered the neighborhoods, stumbling upon solitary folk singers, classical trios, R&B bands, African drummers, French chanteurs. Music seemed to emanate from every street, and carried on long into the night. It was as if the city had been turned into an endless series of open-air studios, with the public passing freely from one to the other.

The festival was so popular it has now spread around the world. Tomorrow, from 6-11, the Alliance Francaise in Miami will hold its own Fete de la Musique at its headquarters on Calle Ocho. And, as in Paris, there is no charge.

It's a start. But wouldn't a Fete de la Musique be great for the city of Miami? Imagine starting at the Arsht Center (where else?), strolling up Biscayne Boulevard serenaded by sounds, and then heading into the Design District, where the normally quiet streets would be animated by singers, bands, people, life.

Just a thought.