GoodBar’s 21-plus Luck O’Loma celebration returns for a fourth year, now expanding to a weekend-long party in Point Loma. The bar will serve up a St. Patrick’s Day–themed menu of Guinness, green beer, and festive food and cocktails, plus intimate live entertainment with a lineup of Irish music featuring local bands like The Fooks and The Resinators. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP for free here and receive a green beer on the house upon entry. A portion of proceeds from the weekend will be donated to local pet rescue nonprofit The Animal Pad. 1872 Rosecrans Street, Point Loma
Courtesy of Poway OnStage
Concerts & Theatre in San Diego
Celtic Spells
March 15
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, this immersive production from acclaimed Irish fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt takes audiences across Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, calling upon the heritage and culture of the Celts. Telling vivid stories of love and tradition, musicians will play traditional Celtic instruments like the fiddle, harp, bodhran, and bagpipes alongside Celtic dancers dressed in traditional costumes. Tickets for Friday night’s performance at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts range from $32 to $79.
Known for his Latin-influenced contemporary jazz and pop sound, Grammy-nominated musician Raul Midón will play an intimate performance at the Museum of Making Music. Before becoming a bandleader, Midón performed as a background and session musician for many years with an illustrious list of collaborators that includes Herbie Hancock, Shakira, and Snoop Dogg. Midón’s concert this Saturday begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35.
5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad
Melody Moore
March 16
Opera singer Melody Moore appears at St. James-by-the-Sea at 7 p.m. this Saturday with pianist Ines Irawati for the first show of Bodhi Tree Concerts’ 13th season. Moore will perform songs from her 2023 album Remembering Tebaldi, a tribute to famed soprano Renata Tebaldi. Following the concert, attend the opening night reception to chat with the artists. Proceeds from Saturday’s show will be donated to The Trevor Project, which focuses on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth. Ticket options include student and military tickets ($25), general admission ($40), and premium reserved seating ($60).
743 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Alphabet Rockers
March 16
The La Jolla Music Society is teaming up with transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project and Oakland-based children’s hip-hop group Alphabet Rockers for a special performance this Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall. The Alphabet Rockers will work with 20 students from Lemon Grove Middle Academy and 15 students from transcenDANCE’s CREATE teen performance group, choreographing performances to three of the group’s songs. Tickets range from $28 to $38.
7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
An American in Paris
March 16–17
The City Ballet brings the world premiere of Geoffrey Gonzalez’s An American in Paris to the Balboa Theatre. Gonzalez choreographed a beautiful ballet to George Gershwin’s 1928 album of the same name to tell a story inspired by real-life American designer Claire McCardell. Tickets for this weekend’s two performances (Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.) can be purchased here.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
Courtesy of the San Diego Latino Festival
Festivals & Art Exhibits in San Diego
San Diego Latino Film Festival
March 14–24
The San Diego Latino Film Festival kicks off this Thursday at AMC Mission Valley. Some of this year’s programs highlight youth filmmakers, border region cinema, and legendary Latino entertainers like Cheech Martin and Adriana Barraza. You can also catch live music on the Sonido Latino stage at the Mission Valley Mall courtyard. Ticket options include the $120 film pass which comes with 11 screenings of your choice, the $220 festival pass which grants access to over 100 films, and the all-access $300 VIP pass that gets you into all festival screenings and special events and provides priority seating and much more.
Citywide
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival
March 16
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival rings in its 42nd year with a day full of holiday activities. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street and is open to the public, while the festival in Balboa Park (open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) features two stages of entertainment, a kids’ area with games and rides, a beer garden, and food and craft booths. Admission to the festival is $10 for adults age 21 and older; active duty military members with ID and guests under 21 will receive free entry.
Balboa Park
shamROCK
March 16
The Gaslamp Quarter’s music-centered celebration of the Emerald Isle returns this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.. Taking over four blocks, the 28th annual ShamROCK Music + Beer Festival fêtes a variety of Celtic music with three stages of live entertainment. Local vendors will serve meat pies, Scotch eggs, artisanal sausages, corned beef, and, of course, plenty of green beer. Tickets range from $54 (general admission) to $109 for VIP passes that come with faster entry, exclusive pub access, a St. Patrick’s Day hat, and more. Interested attendees should buy their tickets now, as the prices will go up on the day of the event. | Gaslamp
San Diego Storytelling Festival
March 16
Storytellers of San Diego and the Coronado Library present the 14th annual San Diego Storytelling Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be several workshops on crafting personal stories, an art exhibit featuring Chicano Park murals, and an informative talk on the history of lowriders. Additional highlights on the lineup include an interactive session on fiber arts–based storytelling and a “We Made San Diego” panel highlighting important Mexican-American figures in San Diego.
640 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Circle of Art
March 16–17
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, head to Christmas Circle Park to see the work of about 70 artists who drew inspiration from the natural features of Borrego Springs, from blooming spring flowers to clear night skies. The annual Circle of Art celebrates various fine art disciplines, including vivid oil and watercolor paintings, eye-catching photographs, and creative handmade sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry. Hosted by Basic Assistance to Students In the Community (BASIC), the event raises funds for the nonprofit’s educational programs and scholarships for Borrego Springs students.
600 Christmas Circle Drive, Borrego Springs
Courtesy of the Western Surfing Association
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego
WSA West Coast Surfing Championships
March 16–17
This Saturday and Sunday at the South Jetty in Oceanside, surfers in over thirty divisions—from kids ages six and under getting their sea legs to seniors shredding the waves with ease—will compete for glory in this stop on the Western Surfing Association tour. Participants in this event may qualify for the West Coast Championships and US Championships. Heats take place from sunrise through the afternoon, so pull up a spot on the sand and cheer on the local groms.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
