We could have easily filled this weekend’s event picks with Irish-themed pub crawls, parties and parades, but you don’t really need a formal event to celebrate St. Paddy’s, just a green shirt, a bar, and some friends (friends optional). Not to mention there happen to be some great options for experiencing other European cultures. Why spend the whole weekend pretending to be Irish when you could also pretend to be Polish, Icelandic and ancient Roman?
[Photo credit: Sarah via flickr]
| Thursday, March 13 – Valerie Jarrett |
The senior adviser to the president stops by MIT as part of its Compton lecture series. I’m going to be in D.C. this weekend, and I guess I could have arranged a White House or Capitol tour or whatever, but really my only goal is to go somewhere, order a full rack of ribs, and say “I’m feelin’ hungry today” in a Southern accent. (3:30 p.m., FREE, all ages)
| Friday, March 14 – Black & White Party |
Discover Roxbury’s annual party fundraiser is serious about its black and white theme (I see you eyeing that charcoal grey sweater — don’t even try it). Proceeds from tickets and artwork sold at the event support local artists and advance arts education and programming like Roxbury Open Studios and the ArtROX! series. (6 p.m., $25, 21+)
| Friday, March 14 – Masterpieces of Polish Cinema |
Martin Scorsese curated the Brattle’s survey of classic (and newly remastered) Polish films spanning 1957 to 1987. The series kicks off with the new wave gem “Eroica” and runs through March 23. (Various times, $8-10, all ages)
| Saturday, March 15 – The Ides of March in Union Square |
Let’s party like it’s 44 B.C.! Somerville Arts Council transforms Union Square into the Roman forum, complete with gladiator contests, chariot races, toga parties, and a secret political meeting that’s definitely not about killing Caesar. Really, the guy should have seen it coming — “ides” is an anagram for “dies” and that’s a more obvious clue than anything that happened all season on “True Detective.” (1 p.m., FREE, all ages)
| Saturday, March 15 – Psychoanalyzing “Breaking Bad” |
The Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis lecture and discussion “Breaking Bad: Life, Death, Addiction and the Power of Drives” examines the characters’ addictions and motivations and asks the question: How long did you root for Walter White? Um, the whole series, obviously. Sorry, “professor,” does that make me a “psychopath”? (1 p.m., $10, all ages)
| Saturday, March 15 – Reykjavik Calling Concert |
Back in the 9th century, a Norseman spotted some drift ice in a fjord and gave Iceland its name. Smooth PR move, bro. Now the country’s tourism campaign has to organize sweet events like the five-day Taste of Iceland Festival, including this free show at the Middle East that pairs up-and-coming Icelandic acts with local acts. If all you know about Icelandic music is Björk and Sigur Rós, well, you’re in for a surprise, because none of the artists playing this show use any weird accents in their names. (8 p.m., FREE, 18+)
| Saturday, March 15 – Paddy Saul Band |
We were just kidding about not recommending any St. Paddy’s day events. Here’s a ton. The Sinclair celebrates with local Irish troubadour Paddy Saul, joined by Coyote Kolb and the Curtis Mayflowe. Most importantly, this gives us a chance to point out that it’s St. Paddy’s, not St. Patty’s. (8 p.m., $15, 18+)
| Sunday, March 16 – Dine Out Boston |
Remember food? It’s that other thing you put in your mouth besides alcohol and the occasional body part. Formerly Restaurant Week, Dine Out Boston kicks off two weeks of local restaurants offering baller meals at budget prices. You won’t mind picking up the tab for these three-course prix fixe lunches and dinners, although if you’re like me you’ll still probably want to punch yourself in your own face for saying prix fixe out loud. (Various locations, $15-25 lunch/$28-38 dinner, all ages)
[Photo credit: sarah/Creative Commons]
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