Image of Glen Thompson courtesy of The Original Farmer’s Market website
Written by Joanne Laciste
March 17th is the day when people across the country celebrate our Irish heritage. With all of the drink specials and green beer being advertised at your favorite pubs and bars, most of us wish this day would somehow always land on the weekend. Once again, St. Paddy’s will land on a Tuesday this year. If partying on a weeknight is not an option for you, whether you are a parent, studious student, diligent employee or a friend of Bill’s, below are events that won’t have you waking up the next day in a pile of green puke.
Sunday, March 15th
One Colorado Courtyard in Pasadena will have a family friendly event. There will be a performance and dance lessons provided by a Cleary Irish Dance group from 3pm-4pm. Immediately following this dance group will be an performance by Irish folk singer/songwriter, Ken O’Malley.
Flogging Molly at the Palladium
Los Angeles’ favorite Irish punk band Flogging Molly, who took their name from an early residency at Molly Malone’s, will be rocking your green socks off at Sunset Boulevard’s grand Hollywood Palladium. The venue has an open floor plan, not theatre seating, so you still might get some beer splashed on you as you sing along to America’s answer to the Pogues.
Tuesday, March 17th
Farmers Market St. Patrick’s Day 2015
Meet me at 3rd and Fairfax! Dubbed the Original Farmer’s Market, the west patio will be the site of Tuesday’s festivities. Visitors will be able listen to Irish Folk Music as well as live bagpipes from Glen Thompson. We suggest that you ask him to play “Softly, Softly, So Far Way.” Maggee’s Kitchen will be serving up corned beef and cabbage. This will be an all day event!
Pershing Square’s Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration.
At 10:30am, Downtown LA starts the festivities with a parade sponsored by the L.A. Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums band. You can even BE in the parade if you like. Just meet at 10:30am on the corner of 5th and Hill Street. “The parade will travel south on Hill to 7th Street; west to Olive Street; and then north to 6th Street, where they will enter the park.At 11:30 stage announcements will salute the Irish Community.” (Please be Tom LaBonge, please be Tom LaBonge). After the parade, the Cleary Irish Dancers, Irish Rock Band Swagger and Crowd Theory will entertain the crowd. Enjoy food trucks, but ignore the beer garden.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at Tavern
If you’re going to eat corned beef and cabbage, it might as well be prepared by the Best Chef in California, right? Tuesday night Chef Suzanne Goin will present a menu inspired by Irish culture at Tavern in Brentwood. Delicacies include corned beef brisket with braised red cabbage, Yukon gold potatoes & whole grain mustard ($28), plus Bangers and Mash: house-made pork sausage with Irish butter mashed potatoes & onion gravy ($24). Dinner service begins at 5 p.m.
So there you go, folks. Check the event websites for more detailed information regarding parking, food and schedules. Have a wonderful and safe weekend…and don’t forget to wear green!!!
Elise Thompson contributed to this post
