You can tell it’s that time of year when the world around you slowly starts to become monochromatic. Green is everywhere from the trinkets at the checkout counter to the beer you drink. Yep, St. Patrick’s Day is upon us.
But there’s more than pubs on our radar. We rounded up some of the shamrockin’ events going on in the Metro over the next few days. You’re welcome.
Friday:
The Muses Presents Celtic Spring Concert – 7 p.m.
The Muses Creative Artistry Project has put together a concert featuring the sounds of Irish harps, flutes, pianos and the voices of supremely talented women. Spend your evening soaking in traditional and contemporary ballads, both Irish and English. There’s even a Shakespeare-inspired dance number. It all takes place at the Second Baptist Church at 222 E. 8th St. with proceeds going to Family Promise of Pulaski County. Click here for more information.
St. Paddy’s Day Cooking Class with Ben Brainard and Matt Bell – 6-8 p.m.
Pubs aren’t your scene? Call it the luck of the Irish. Head to Eggshells for a local twist on a Celtic meal led tag team-style by Chef Matt Bell (South on Main) and Chef Ben Brainard (Local Lime, Heights Taco & Tamale). Ben and Matt’s leprechaun costumes have yet to be confirmed. Click here for more information.
Saturday:
16th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade – 1 p.m.
Presented by the Irish Cultural Society of Arkansas, this parade is tons of fun every year. A slew of bagpipers, floats, music and more will start in front of Dugan’s Pub at Third and Rock Streets and snake by Cregeen’s Irish Pub into Argenta. If very sad circumstances force you to only pick one of these St. Patrick’s Day events, pick this one. Click here for more information.
Fifth Annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party in Downtown Little Rock
After the parade, head down to Dugan’s Pub for some outdoor entertainment. There will be food, drinks (duh), marching bagpipe & drum bands and traditional Irish dance performances by the McCafferty School of Irish Dance and the O’Donovan School of Irish Dance. Blimey.
Irish Beer Fest at Diamond Bear Brewing – 2-6 p.m.
Still thirsty? Diamond Bear will have tons of brews from all over Arkansas to help wash down all the food, live music and general good times. And when we say “food,” we mean a whole mess of grilled bratwurst. Oh yes. Lots of brats. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and some of the proceeds support the local Canvas Church charity “Dinner & a Movie” and the Arkansas Brewers Guild. Click here for more information.
Arkansas Sounds: Celtic Cultural Celebration – 7 p.m.
Take a load off and treat your ears to the sounds of traditional Celtic culture. The Central Arkansas Library System’s Rob Robinson Theater will host a concert featuring the Lyon College Pipe Band, as well as Scottish and Irish dancers, and a ceilidh (Celtic) band with guitars, accordions, uilleann (Irish) pipes and singers. Click here for more information.
Tuesday:
12th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hot Springs – 5:30 p.m.
Capping off a full list of festivities including a Blarney Stone Kissing Contest, the parade (which lives up to its name, by the way) will make it’s way down Bridge St. with plenty of sights to make up for it’s brevity. The parade’s special guests include NASCAR legend and Arkansas native Mark Martin, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and country music up-and-comers The Swon Brothers. Click here for the schedule of activities.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Willy D’s Piano Bar – 7 p.m.
Piano show, karaoke, tons of drink specials and even more green; that’s about all you need to know. Click here for more information, if you think you need it.
Bonus:
Week of St. Patty’s Specials at Cache Restaurant
From Monday-Friday, Cache is serving up big discounts on Irish whiskies and bar food. Stop by to enjoy a little (or a lot) of both. You can also get your hands on their special Irish Kiss signature cocktail all week. It includes Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, ginger beer and orange juice. Sounds delicious, right? Get the full lineup here.