Things to Do

Things to Do in DC This Weekend March 17-20: Here’s Where to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a band called Young Dubliners? Photo by David Safian.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

MUSIC: Celebrate St. Paddy’s day with the The Young Dubliners at The Hamilton. Despite their very Irish sounding name and celtic-y sound, the band, which only has two members actually from Ireland, prefer to not be lumped into the celtic rock genre. “The sound was always intended to be a hybrid because we all come from different backgrounds,” says lead singer Keith Roberts. $30-$40, 7:30 PM.

NOSTALGIA: If green beer isn’t your thing, how about some nostalgia? Playback The Tape returns to The Coupe with VHS tapes recorded in the 90s, which means you’ll get to watch your favorite throwback television shows with all the commercials you grew up with. First up is the unforgettable series finale of Full House, followed by “Friends: The One After the Superbowl.” Beavis and Butthead clips will keep you entertained in between episodes. Free, 7 PM.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

READING: The city’s most hilarious writers show off their stuff at DC9’s Evening of Humorous Readings. The Friday event is hosted by Brian Agler, who has written pieces for the likes of New Yorker and McSweeney’s.

ART: With all this talk of St. Patrick’s Day, it’s easy to forget that we’re a little more than halfway through Women’s History Month. To celebrate, Art Soiree is putting on “Women in Arts: Exclusive Multi-Artist Art Exhibit,” showcasing mixed-media (works that employ multiple types of visual art) pieces by talented, local female artists. Free, 8 PM.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

DRINK: Make your way to Northern Virginia’s best bars during The Shamrock Crawl. Your ticket gets you a refillable, commemorative mug, party favors, access to a raffle, and all the St. Patrick’s Day merriment you can safely stomach. $35, 1 PM.

WHARF REOPENING: Daylight Savings had us Spring Forward last weekend, but this southwest DC favorite Cantina Marina plans to “Spring It On” in celebration of their seasonal re-opening. Sip on some margaritas and eat too many Super Nachos as you listen to live music from the Wil Gravatt Band. 2 PM.

PERFORMANCE AND WINE: Wine Lovers the Musical, an entertainment-meets-actual-wine-tasting event, comes to Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse on Friday and Saturday. As the Wine Lovers perform their musical comedy all about drinking wine, audience members have the option to partake in a tasting too. Be prepared for lots of wine puns…and lots of merlot. $36.75, 10 PM.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20

BEER AND BLUEGRASS: Sam Puffenbarger may be best known as a brewer at Atlas Brew Works, but he’s also a bluegrass aficionado, and on Sunday the northeast brewery is offering musicians and beer lovers the chance to partake in a bluegrass jam session with him. Bring your instruments and Atlas will provide the rest, including food and (of course) beer for purchase. 1 PM.

FILM: The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital continues with the documentary Taïga at the National Museum of American History. The movie profiles the lives of Mongolian sheepherders as they protect themselves from natural predators and try to preserve their land in the midst of destructive mining. Afterwards, there will be a discussion with William W. Fitzhugh, director of the Smithsonian’s Arctic Studies Center, and Paula T. DePriest, deputy director of the Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation. Free, 1 PM.