How to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the East Bay
on March 11, 2011
Community events and activities for St. Patrick’s Day, from Saturday March 12 – Thursday March 17. Got an event we didn’t know about? Please add it in the comments!
Saturday, March 12
City of Dublin 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
9:30 am – 5 pm (also on Sunday)
Dublin Civic Center: 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin
Join the residents of Dublin for a number of exciting Irish activities. You can learn the Irish Jig, play a pennywhistle, kiss the Blarney Stone, or cheer on the athletes competing in Hurling. There will be two stages of Irish music, enhanced by the dancers of McGrath School of Irish Dance. The annual Dublin Lions Club Parade will begin at 9:30 am on Saturday. More info here.
San Francisco’s 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Festival
10 am – 5 pm
Civic Center Plaza: Larkin Street and Grove Street, San Francisco
The all-day festival will start before, take place during, and follow the 160th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. There will be Irish performances, beverages, food, and arts and crafts exhibitions. A family event – there will be rides, inflatables, a petting zoo, and a pony ride for kids. More info here.
2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
11:30 am
Downtown San Francisco: Market Street and 2nd Street, San Francisco
Come watch the 160th Saint Patrick’s Day Parade with 100,000 of your closest friends. According to organizers, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is the “largest Irish event west of the Mississippi.” There will be over 100 floats, Irish dance troupes, and marching bands. The Parade’s Grand Marshal is Mike Moriarty, and this year’s theme is “Giving Back.” More info here.
Sunday, March 13
The Starry Irish Session: Shay Black
Every Sunday at 8:15 pm
Starry Plough: 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
Come play your bagpipe or just sit back and listen to some Irish music. Shay Black hosts the event. More info here.
Monday March 14
None
Tuesday March 15
None
Wednesday March 16
Irish History Night with Treats, Beer &Wine
5:30 – 7:30 pm
California Historical Society Museum: 678 Mission Street, San Francisco
The California Historical Society and its Ephemera Project collections will help immerse you in the Irish culture of California. There will be Irish treats, beer, and wine. The collection will be on display through March 26th during regular museum hours. More info here.
Thursday March 17
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Noon – 1 pm
City Center Plaza, Oakland
Special performance by Driving with Fergus. More info here.
Shamrock Day at Habitot
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Habitot Children’s Museum: 2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley
There will be a hunt for hidden treasure through out the museum, starting at 10:30 am. You can also create and decorate shamrock glasses and make fun stamps out of potatoes. There will be an interactive storytelling session in the Multicultural Reading Tent at 11:45 am and green punch and cookies at 12:15. More info here.
Live St. Patrick’s Day Bagpipe Serenade & Party
All day
Farley’s: 1315 18th Street, San Francisco
The bagpipe performance will begin at 9 am and live Irish music will continue until 1 pm. There will be a special dance performance by the Soul Delights at 8 pm. There will also be free prizes and gifts all day long. More info here.
Irish Bank St. Patrick’s Day Block Party
All day
Irish Bank: 10 Mark Lane, San Francisco
There will be music all day long and the block party will be free before 3 pm – $5 after. More info here.
Schedule
11:30 am – 1 pm: Bushmills Irish pipe band will be playing
1 – 4 pm: Bog Savages – traditional Irish and Celtic rock
3 – 7 pm: No Name and Live 105 will be broadcasting live
4 pm – 12 am: DJ Pat will be spinning records
O’Reilly’s St. Patrick’s Day Block Party
All day
O’Reilly’s: 622 Green Street, San Francisco
Come to O’Reilly’s 16th Annual Saint Patrick’s Day celebration for some great Irish brunch specialties from 9 am to 1:30 pm. The block party starts at 3 pm and features live music from, Revenant, Lunar Groove, Blue on Green, and The Hooks. Traditional Irish dance from the Whelan Academy of Irish Dance will accompany the music. Cost: free before 3 pm and $10 after. More info here.
St. Patrick’s Day Block Party 2011
All day
Royal Exchange: 301 Sacramento and Front Street, San Francisco
The Royal Exchange is shutting down Front Street from Sacramento to California to create a huge instant beer garden. Royal Exchange has 32 beers on tap. The streets will be shut down around 3 pm and live music, from Wonder Bread 5, begins at 5. More info here.
Traditional Irish Music & St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
12 – 1 pm
Oakland City Center
Tipsy House – a San Francisco-based band – will be giving a special performance in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. More info here.
Free Cab Rides Home: St. Patrick’s Day 2011
Saturday 3 pm – Sunday 3 am
The law firm of Berg Injury Lawyers is once again sponsoring the “Safe and Sober Free Cab Ride Home” program for St. Patrick’s Day. Rides are only available from bars and restaurants to an individual’s home. Cab rides to or from house parties or from one bar or restaurant to another are not covered. Residents of Alameda, Oakland, and Berkeley can call Veterans Cab at 800-281-4488, for rides – including rides from the East Bay to San Francisco. Residents of San Francisco can call Luxor Cab at 415-282-4141. Tell the cab company that Berg Injury Lawyers is picking up the tab. More info here.
St. Patrick’s NightLife
6 – 10 pm
California Academy of Sciences: 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
The museum will be offering Irish-themed activities and entertainment. There will be dancing and live music by DJ Nako. Cost: $12. More info here.
Ongoing community weekend events and gatherings
Talks
Wildlife Theater
Saturdays at 11:45 am and Sundays at 1:45 pm
Oakland Zoo: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
Every Saturday, hear a story and meet an animal with the Oakland zoo staff. On Sundays, there are more animals to meet and a chance to learn cool nature facts.
Toddler Storytime
Saturdays 10:30 – 11:30 am
Oakland Main Library, Children’s Room, 125 14th Street, Oakland
and Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue, Oakland
Every Saturday, children ages three and under can listen to stories, sing songs, and enjoy family play time. More info here.
Bay Area Poets Coalition Open Reading
First Saturday of every month, 3 – 5 pm
Strawberry Creek Lodge: 1320 Addison Street, Berkeley
All ages are welcome to come participate at the Bay Area Poets monthly open reading. Each poet or reader has between three and five minutes to present his or her pieces. Just coming to listen is also fine. Please only park on the street. Check in at the front desk and you will be directed to the meeting location. More info here.
“artiFACTS”
First Sunday of every month, 3 pm
Auctions by the Bay Theater: Alameda Point Naval Air Station, Alameda
“artiFACTS” is a monthly talk about the art of collecting and a preview of the monthly estate auction, which takes place the following Monday. More info here.
Farmers’ markets
Old Oakland Farmers’ Market: 9th Street between Broadway and Clay, Oakland
Fridays 8 am – 2 pm, year-round
. More info here.
Kaiser Permanente Oakland Farmers’ Market: 3801 Howe Street, Oakland
Fridays 10 am – 2 pm, year-round.
More info here.
Grand Lake Farmers’ Market: Splash Pad Park at Grand Avenue and Lake Park Avenue
Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm, year round. More info here.
Phat Beets Produce Market: 5717 Market Street, Oakland
Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm.
More info here.
Temescal Farmers’ Market: 5300 Claremont Avenue, Oakland (at the DMV)
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm, year-round.
More info here.
Jack London Square Farmers’ Market: Webster & Water Streets, Oakland
Sundays, 9 am – 2 pm, year-round.
More info here.
Meetings
LOUD Youth Group
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 4 – 6 pm
Pacific Center: 2712 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley
LOUD Youth Group is a drop-in group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth. Tuesdays focus on arts and crafts, writing, and music. Thursdays focus on hot topics and guest speakers. Fridays focus on queer movies and video games. More info here.
Bay Street Stroller Strides
Fridays 9:30 am
Old Navy: 5625 Bay Street, Emeryville
Come join other moms as they incorporate power walking, jogging, body toning, and strength and flexibility training into their morning walks with their babies. First class is free. Cost: $120 for a 10-class pass. More info here.
MTC Community Garden Hoe-Down
Saturdays 9 – 11 am
Memorial Tabernacle Church: 514 58 Street, Oakland (enter through the driveway).
Come join the weekly garden work party! Whether you are a novice or an expert, all levels of gardening are welcome. Bring your gloves and gardening tools.
Scrabble Club
Third and First Saturday of every month, 1 – 4 pm
It’s Your Move Games and Hobbies: 4920 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
The club meets two to three times a month and holds a monthly tournament. Cost: $1 to join the club and $25 for six games at the tournament. More info here.
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
Sundays 8:30 – 10 am, Thursdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Summit Campus, Merritt Pavilion
350 Hawthorne Avenue, Oakland, in the “Fir Room.”
A program based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues, weigh-ins, or fee, but pre-registration for this free program is required. The program is provided through Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the East Bay. Call (510) 523-4361 for more information.
Got an Oakland event to share for next weekend’s events listing? Send info including address, time, and ticket price for events taking place in Oakland between March 18-20 to staff@oaklandnorth.net.
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