Not only Irish eyes will be smiling about the events Montgomery County groups have planned to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year. All are welcome to delight in the array of celebrations of the Emerald Isle’s arts.

CANCELLED

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
RIO (City of Gaithersburg)
March 14 at 10 AM

The City in partnership with The Peterson Companies & Rio, will host the 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Rio, at Rio Boulevard & Grand Corner Avenue. Free parking is available in three garages along Washingtonian Boulevard.

RUNA
BlackRock Center for the Arts
Mar. 7

Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new “super-groups,” RUNA has been en-chanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats since their formation in 2008. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling take on traditional music.

Mari Black
Folklore Society
Mar. 7

World champion fiddler MARI BLACK presents a joyous extravaganza of dance-inspired music from around the globe! With her virtuoso playing, sparkling stage presence, and fun-filled stories tying the whole journey together, Mari will have you tapping your toes and dancing along to fiddle music from around the world: Celtic, Canadian, and American fiddling, swing, tango, klezmer, and more. Family-friendly and full of fun, fiddling, and musical surprises!

Celtic Thunder
Living Arts Concert Series
Mar. 8

This concert will feature a rare performance by the original Celtic Thunder, one the Washington’s area’s best-known and best-loved traditional Irish music groups.  Founding members Terence Winch, Jesse Winch, Linda Hickman, Nita Conley, and Dominick Murray will be joined by Michael Winch on fiddle for a rousing evening of original and traditional songs as well as instrumental gems (and maybe even a poem or two), all augmented by some great Irish step-dancing.

Irish Set & Ceili Dance Class
Greater Washington Ceili Club
Now – May 21

GWCC offers continuing Irish Set and Ceili dance classes for adults on Thursday evenings in Silver Spring. Set and ceili dances are social dances. In set dances, dancers are usually arranged in a square – like in American square dances; and the dances are composed of several parts [figures] with a brief break between each figure. Ceili dances are danced in a variety of formations and are often progressive – a relatively simple pattern is repeated as dancers move through the group, the music continuous.

Direct from Ireland
Greater Washington Ceili Club
Mar. 11

Téada, one of Ireland’s leading trad bands since 2001, returns to the US for a St. Patrick’s celebration. In addition, this concert opens with music from GWCC Scholarship winners.

Montgomery Parks Events

St. Patrick’s Day Green and Growing Scavenger Hunt
Mar. 17

You don’t have to be Irish to like the color green! Visit the Children’s Classroom for a fun garden planting craft, stories and games. Afterwards make your way outside to find Leprechaun riddles and clues. Find buried treasures just for you! Meet the friendly garden Leprechaun! For Ages 2-6.

Hike & Seek: Pot of Gold
Mar. 15

Looking for a little adventure? Follow the clues as you hike around Cabin John Park to solve a new nature-themed puzzle each month. This month, a few mysterious and mischievous creatures have visited the park, leaving golden clues along the trail. What will you find at the rainbow’s end? It’s a scavenger hunt just for St. Patrick’s Day! Register by Friday, March 13 to receive a prize for completing the hunt.

Shamrock Skate (Multiple Locations)
Mar. 17 & 19

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the ice! Wear green and ice skate for just $8 (skate rental included).

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