Catch a legend and other acts free

Raleigh's shiny new convention center opens this weekend, and the attendant festivities include Raleigh Wide Open -- several dozen acts playing on three stages around downtown (free, no less). There are fireworks both nights at 10 p.m. and a parade on Saturday from 6-7 p.m. Here are some of the acts you should try to catch:

Chuck Berry

(Fireworks Stage, 9 tonight)

One is tempted to say that Berry, 81, is just too ornery not to live forever. And yet he will someday be gone. So talk all you want about sloppy shows, and how he's been mailing it in for decades. When you've composed as many anthems of definitive genius as Berry -- and yes, "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll Over Beethoven" and his other early singles are genius on a par with anything Picasso ever painted -- you've earned the right to coast. Go to bask in the man's presence, if for no other reason than to say you were there.

Annuals

(Cherry Bounce Stage, 8 tonight)

Raleigh's Annuals emerged as blogosphere darlings two years ago, showing such immense promise that a sophomore slump seemed inevitable. You can cue up that sigh of relief right now, because the band's upcoming album "Such Fun" (Canvasback/Sony Music) is phenomenal. That's not out until Oct. 7, so you can get a preview tonight.

Dex Romweber Duo

(Cherry Bounce, 6:30 tonight)

Ten years ago, Romweber's Flat Duo Jets made their lone major-label album, only to crash and burn shortly afterward. But Romweber kept on, and he's riding a new wave of acclaim with peers such as Jack White and Neko Case acknowledging his influence. Sister Sara (formerly of Let's Active and Snatches of Pink) is his drummer nowadays, and they're recording an album for the noted insurgent-country label Bloodshot Records.

Lonnie Walker

(Cherry Bounce, 3 p.m. today)

Greenville band is a very worthy inheritor of the Dylan-esque tradition of roots-rock rambling. And if we're lucky, they'll be accompanied by artist Jon Graham, who will do one of his onstage performance-art drawings as the band plays.

Kyler

(RBC Plaza Stage, 1:30 p.m. Saturday)

Raleigh native who now calls Los Angeles home has an album coming out soon, and it moves her in the direction of country music (a perfect niche for her voice). She also plays Raleigh's Pour House later Saturday evening.

Tres Chicas

(Fireworks, 2 p.m. Saturday)

Caitlin Cary, Lynn Blakey and Tonya Lamm have one of the prettiest vocal blends you'll ever hear. This should be like a prerelease listen of their upcoming live album.

Freebase 808

(Cherry Bounce, 5:15 p.m. Saturday)

Deejay/drummer Applejuice Kid and Suede from Camp Lo make up this self-described "weird hip-hop" duo, along the lines of Gnarls Barkley.