PHOTO BY BRAD TUTTEROW/VIA FLICKR
Downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade
Miranda Lambert | March 16
Singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert is joined by Jon Pardi and Ashley McBryde for the Livin’ Like Hippies Tour (which takes its name from Lambert's song “Highway Vagabond,” off her platinum double LP, The Weight of These Wings. "Looking like a perfect country princess while singing about broken hearts and vices and gunpowder and kerosene, Miranda Lambert simply slayed," the Omaha World-Herald wrote of a recent show. "For 80 minutes on Thursday, the star led her eight-member band through foot-stomping, heart-rending, beer-drinking country music.Lambert commanded the stage, and the attention of her adoring crowd, as soon as she strutted out in a black dress, blue fringe and pink high-heeled cowboy boots." $39.75, $59.75 and $74.75. 7 p.m. Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark, scottradecenter.com.
49th Annual Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade | March 17
This year's theme is "St. Louis Irish Heritage." On March 16, parade officials host "Meet the Irish," a dinner held at Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, which will feature cocktails, a seated dinner, and visiting Irish dignitaries. On Saturday, the festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with the traditional St. Pat's Parade Day Run, followed by the 120-unit parade, including floats, marching bands, character balloons, individual marchers, and clowns. The route begins at 20th and Market, then proceeds east and finishes at Clark and Broadway. Activities begin at 9 a.m., including activities for kids at "Leprechaun Village," located across from Union Station. Free. 1 p.m. Downtown St. Louis, irishparade.org.
Dogtown Irish Festival | March 17
The Ancient Order of Hibernians' St. Patrick's Day Parade, first held in 1984, happens on March 17 every year—no matter what day of the week that happens to fall on. This year, because it's on a Saturday, organizers are anticipating huge crowds (and 70-degree temps won't hurt). Partnering with Dogtown United, the Ancient Order of Hibernians will roll out the inaugural Dogtown Irish Festival. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. at Tamm and Oakland. Afterward, there will be a neighborhood celebration, including food and beverages from local restaurants; a Merchant Village on Clayton featuring Irish clothing, jewelry, and other imported items; and live music at Clayton and Wise. Click here for more information. Free. 10 a.m–8 p.m. Parade at 10 a.m. Dogtown, dogtownunited.com.
The Irish Tenors | March 17
Twenty years ago, the Irish Tenors introduced themselves to American audiences on PBS. Since then, the trio's released 10 bestselling albums; performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl; and have extensively toured America. It’s not hard to see why the group's been called the 21st century’s “Celtic music kings.” St. Louis gets to hear them perform on St. Paddy’s Day—the perfect ending to a day of Irish festivities. $49.50–$89.50. 8 p.m. Family Theater, J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, Lindenwood University, lindenwood.edu.
The Tour of St. Louis Bicycle Races | March 17 & 18
Since 2015, Big Shark Bike Co. has put on a series of spring bike races throughout the metro area, including in Forest Park. Whether you're a dedicated cyclist or just planning to watch, the races are a great way to take advantage of this weekend's glorious weather. The races kick off Saturday morning at the Wildwood Centaur Time Trail, followed by the "The Carondelicious Circuit Race" in Carondelet Park. Sunday's events include The Mike Murray Classic Criterium in Forest Park, followed by the Omnium, in which racers who've competed in the three prior events can test their mettle. The races are free to observe; see website for race registration costs and instructions. (Pre-race registration is required). See website for times and locations, bigshark.com.
Check out SLM's calendar for other happenings, including Blues games, American Ballet Theatre Studio Co. at the Edison, Born Yesterday at The Rep, Snap Judgement Live at The Sheldon , Galactic at Delmar Hall, Bill Nye at the Touhill, Karlous Miller at Helium, Anything Goes at The Marcelle, k.d. lang at the Peabody Opera House, Teuscher Sings Mozart at Powell Hall, Gateway Men's Chorus' We Will Rise, Exhibition #17 at G-CADD, St. Patrick's Day events, and more.
