Ten Sober Ways to Get Into the Spirit of St. Patrick’s Day

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. While the traditional way to celebrate involves a visit to a pub to imbibe a dram or two of Irish spirits, there are at least 10 other ways to “go green” in Southern California.

1 ATTEND AN IRISH PARADE:

* Hollywood’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, 1 p.m. today at Hollywood and Vine. Led by Grand Marshal Ed McMahon, the parade will proceed west on Hollywood Boulevard to Sycamore Avenue. Irish dancers, bagpipers, Connemara horses and the world’s largest leprechaun, a 35-foot-tall balloon.

* The Avenue of the Stars St. Patrick’s Day parade, 11:30 a.m. today, ABC Entertainment Center across from Century Plaza Hotel. Parade benefits UCLA International Student Center. Grand Marshal Milton (Mc)Berle leads bagpipers, Wee Walkers miniature horses and a 13-story hot-air balloon.

2 ATTEND AN IRISH FAIR

* St. Patrick’s Day at Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, 1-4 p.m. today, 4700 Zoo Drive, Griffith Park. Folk dancers perform jigs and reels; musicians play tin whistle, fiddle, mandolin and pipes. Free. Call (213) 667-2000.

* St. Patrick’s Family Festival, all day Sunday, Brothers of St. Patrick Church, 7820 Bolsa Ave., Midway City, Orange County. Mass in Gaelic, Irish football, hurling games, step dancing; music by Noel Henry Irish Showband. Traditional foods. Admission: $5; under 16, free. Call (714) 897-8181.

3 HEAR LIVE IRISH MUSIC:

* The Irish Rovers, 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey. Irish favorites. Tickets: $17. Call (213) 861-8211.

* Post-Parade Party, 3-6 p.m., Celtic Arts Center, 5651 Hollywood Blvd. Irish music, dance and food. Admission: $5. Call (213) 462-6844.

* Innisfree Irish folk band concert, “The Barn,” UC Riverside, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $10, under 12 free with an adult. Ticket office: (714) 787-4331.

* The Jury Irish Cabaret of Dublin; musicians, dancers and storytellers; 8:30 p.m. today at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Seats: $15-$25. Call (800) CONCERT.

4 SEE AN IRISH PLAY OR FILM:

* “Bein’ With Behan,” based on the life of Irish playwright Brendan Behan; 3:30 p.m. today, 3 p.m. Sunday and March 25, West End Playhouse, 7446 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys. Tickets: $15. Call (818) 904-0444.

* Dublin-born Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” through April 2, John Anson Ford Theatre, 2590 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood Hills. Tuesday-Sunday, 8 p.m.; also Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $16. Call (213) 410-1062.

* “My Left Foot,” film about Christy Brown, Dublin-born writer, poet and painter with cerebral palsy; nominated for five Oscars. Theaters throughout Southern California.

5 RUN AN IRISH 10-K RACE:

* Tom Sullivan’s 10-K Run, 8 a.m. Sunday, Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance. Registration and T-shirt: $17. Irish folk group, bagpipers and high school bands. Call (213) 544-7258.

6 TUNE IN TO IRISH RADIO:

* “The Irish Hour” features news, interviews, Southland Irish events, traditional music, 3:05-4 p.m. Sundays, KIEV-AM (87).

* “The Thistle and Shamrock,” Celtic folk music, 8-9 p.m. Saturdays, KUSC-FM (91.5).

7 BUY AN IRISH GIFT:

* Irish Import Shop and Information Service, 738 N. Vine St., Hollywood. Irish music, fisherman sweaters, shillelaghs, walking sticks, jewelry, Irish foods. Today: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (213) 467-6714.

* Shamrock Imports, 7949 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Waterford crystal, Belleek china, Irish music, food, tweeds, Claddagh friendship rings and more. Free soda bread and Irish tea to customers this weekend. Today, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday (March 18 only), 2-6 p.m. Call (818) 764-3935.

* Carroll-McKenzie Scottish and Irish Imports, 1413 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica. Novelty Irish clothes, shamrock ties, hand-knit sweaters, Ireland videos and music. Second shop opened last week at 1018 Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades. Both open today, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (213) 393-3321.

8 LEARN A JIG OR IRISH MUSIC:

* Celtic Arts Center, 5651 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Lessons for tin whistle, bodhran drums, fiddle and flute. Call (213) 462-6844.

* Jackie O’Leary from County Donegal teaches Irish step and Ceili dancing at Harp Inn in Costa Mesa and Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach. Call (714) 841-2045.

* Victoria Shop Scottish Imports, 214 2nd St., Claremont. Bagpipe lessons. Call (714) 621-9100.

* Sylvia Wood’s Harp Center, P.O. Box 2952, Los Angeles 90029. Celtic harp lessons. Call (818) 247-4177.

9 LEARN A PHRASE IN GAELIC:

* Celtic Arts Center, 5651 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Gaelic language classes. (213) 462-6844.

10 READ AN IRISH PUBLICATION:

* Irish American Press, monthly, $12 per year, 2554 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, Calif. 90291; call (213) 391-1858.

* The Irish Calendar, monthly, $12 per year, 12380 Magnolia Ave., Chino, Calif. 91710; call (714) 590-8346.