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If this week is a rainbow, the pot of gold at the end will be filled with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and world-class basketball.
Several DMV teams have made it to the NCAA tournament — check out these DC bars showcasing March Madness.
While the Harlem Globetrotters can’t go to your group (sorry, Tommy), they will be tipping off near home this weekend.
Plus “You Should Know” about the Alanis Morissette-Palooza. Not only is her musical at the National Theater, but we just found out she’s hosting a music festival on Ocean City’s boardwalk this fall.
Aren’t we lucky that March 17th falls on a Friday this year? Many bars start pouring pints and cheering fiddles early on St. Patrick’s Day, then you can continue the celebration at The Wharf, Guinness Open Gate Brewery outside of Baltimore and many other locations. Here’s our complete guide to St. Patrick’s Day in DC
Things to do in Washington DC
Women in Wine at Vitis Fine Wines (Thursday, Union Market, $25): Take a stroll through Vitis Fine Wine & Spirits at Union Market and chat with the store’s favorite winemakers and importers. The happy hour event offers tastings of 10 different wines from 18:30 to 20:00
DC Environmental Film Festival (until March 26): Return to March 31St In its 20th edition, the DC Environmental Film Festival aims to showcase films that inspire viewers to take care of the environment. You can purchase passes or tickets to individual films, including All That Breathes, which earned University of Maryland professor Sean B. Carroll an Oscar nomination. Some screenings are free. Here’s the schedule.
Jagged Little Pill (through March 26): The musical, fueled by Alanis Morrissette’s album full of bangers, will be showing at the National Theatre.
SCREAM SISTER SCREAM! (Through May 13, Ford’s Theatre): This new musical tells the story of one of America’s most influential rock, R&B and gospel crossover singers and guitarists, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The show is inspired by Gayle F. Wald’s book.
St. Patrick’s Day Crawl (Friday, 5pm, $19.99) and St. Paddy’s Shamrock Stroll (Saturday, 12pm, $22.99): Get up to half price on drinks and 20% off select Dining and live music at some venues at Hard Rock Cafe, Howl at the Moon, Proper 21, Yard House, Penn Social and Penn Quarter Sports Tavern.
Kiss Me I’m Irish: Washington DC St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (Friday 6pm-2am, Saturday 2pm-late, from $20): This bar crawl includes stops at Sudhouse DC, The Alchemist, Bar Pilar, Cafe Saint-Ex, District Sports Bar, Desperados and Voodoo. You can pre-purchase tickets for Friday ($30 plus fees) or Saturday ($25 plus fees). On the day of the pub crawl, you can collect your wristband and a map of participating locations at Sudhouse DC.
Free choice – Ireland at The Wharf (Saturday, 12pm to 6pm, The Wharf): Keep the crazy It starts on Saturday with Ireland at the Wharf. Follow the Piper Parade (beginning at 12pm at Kirwan’s Irish Pub) to the District Pier for an afternoon of bagpipe and drum bands, Irish dancers and a Guinness beer garden. The event is free and family-friendly.
Harlem Globetrotters (Saturday, Capital One Arena): As March Madness heats up with serious competition, the Harlem Globetrotters are here for some fun and outrageous stunts. They will also be at the EagleBank Arena on Friday and Saturday nights.
Norooz Market in Hook Hall (Saturday 12pm-4pm DC): To celebrate the Persian New Year, shop at Iranian, Black and Brown small businesses.
music snob — The Messthetics (Saturday, 8pm, Black Cat, $20 upfront) or $22 daily): Unique jazz-punk fusion. This instrumental trio features two members of Fugazi – drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally – and guitarist Anthony Pirog. Portland drums and synth duo Quasi opens after recently releasing their first LP in about a decade.
Free choice – DC Record Fair (Sunday, 11am-5pm, Eaton Hotel DC): More than 45 record retailers sell case after case of vinyl, so you’re sure to find a sound that piques your interest. DJs will be spinning throughout the event. Admission is free.
Free choice – Circle of Life Dedication (Sunday, 3 p.m., Congressional Cemetery): The Congressional Cemetery officially opens its “Living Monument to Nature,” a green space featuring 60 lime trees, a stone walkway and benches. The park is designed to look like a compass rose – and will provide a special vantage point to follow the sun’s path at the spring and autumn equinoxes, as well as the summer and winter solstices. The inauguration begins with a drum parade led by Batalá Washington DC.
RE:Her Food Festival (through Sunday): Sample delicious, imaginative collaborations from woman-owned restaurants — like Sticky Fingers Bakery and Vertage’s vegan cheesecake, or a beef bourguignon pie from Pizzeria Paradiso and Whole Ox Butcher Shop. RE: She has a map where there are treats.
Free choice – National Zoo Bird House (The National Zoo, open daily): The Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) Bird House is open again after a six-year transformation of the historic 1928 building. Note that you still need free tickets for the zoo. Check out our first look.
things to do in Maryland
BabyCat Brewery St. Patrick’s Day Party 2023 (Friday, 3pm, $20, Kensington, Maryland): This St. Patrick’s Day party will take over the brewery’s parking lot with music, food, family fun and—you guessed it—beer. The party will feature live music from Stringtown and Vinyl Fever, and their website hints at a possible visit from a leprechaun. Dish & Dram will also be smoking a pig and briskets. Limited tickets will be available at the doors of the event. Children under 12 can ride for free; Ages 12-20 are $5 and adult tickets are $20.
Denizen’s St. Patrick’s Day (Friday through Sunday, Silver Spring and Riverdale Park locations): Not only can you pick up green PGC lager, Cool Breeze Stout, and Big Red Norm Red Ale for $5, and Jameson shots for $8, too a helping of it. Proceeds benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society or Prince George’s Pitties Animal Rescue.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery (Open from 10am Friday and 11am Saturday and Sunday, Baltimore, Free Admission): Housed in a heated tent, the Irish Village features food vendors, entertainment and more—and admission is free . Throughout March, Open Gate features St. Paddy’s-themed live music, beer dinners and tours on tap.
things to do in Virginia
St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Shipgarten (Friday through Sunday, McLean, Virginia): Music, green beer, green eggs and keg: Shipgarten has everything you need to celebrate St. Paddy’s. Live music is scheduled on Friday from 2pm to 7:45pm and the first 50 customers will receive a free swag. Keep the party going on Saturday with beer tastings, a whiskey pop-up experience, games, live music from 12:30pm to 7pm and a streamer toss at 4pm. Saturday’s event is 21+ only – come back Sunday for a family-friendly party starring Disney princesses and Darth Vader (admission is free).
Free choice – St. Pawtrick’s Day (Friday, 6:30-8:30pm, Barkhaus Arlington): St. Paddy’s IS for the dogs at the Barkhaus. Enjoy drink specials, green puppuccinos, a photo booth and more.
Mommy/Daddy & Me Cooking Class (Saturday, Arlington, $75 per child, parents free): Bring your little chef to a culinary celebration all about the green! The step-by-step class includes clover chips with guacamole, shamrock bark with pretzels, and green candy. You get recipes to take home.
Shipgarten St. Patrick’s Family Festival (Sunday, McLean, Free): The third day of the Shipgarten weekend festival is dedicated to family fun. The festival will be hosted by Princess Merida from Brave, Darth Vader and Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. Activities include crafts, face painting and two moonhoppers. St. Patrick’s Day food and drink specials are also available for purchase.
Harlem Globetrotters (Friday & Saturday, EagleBank Arena): Watch some dunks like never before in Northern Virginia.
Super Pet Expo at the Dulles Expo Center (Friday-Sunday, $5-20): Attend the Doggie Derby or a cat show, shop at pet dealers, and enjoy performances. A highlight: Dexter, the dog who won the hearts of the internet by walking on his two hind legs, will take the stage to show his skills and meet some fans. Friendly pets are welcome, but keep them on a leash.
Hank’s Oyster Bar 2nd Floor Sessions (Sunday, Old Town, $65-95): Taste and learn from local chefs. This week, Susan Qin, owner of Chinese pop-up street market Union Market, will demonstrate how to make dumplings.
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