19 things to do this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

By Joshua Encinias

We’d make some kind of joke about the Gowanus Canal turning green this weekend, but isn’t it usually some kind of toxic emerald hue anyway?

We’ll get to the St. Patrick’s Day stuff in a bit. But speaking of Gowanus (and for your best bang-per-buck this weekend), head to Littlefield on Saturday to see Wyatt Cenac and Donwill screen a surprise Blaxploitation deep cut while they heckle from the stage. Also in the area, reggae legend Sister Nancy comes to Public Records on Sunday afternoon, supported by Brooklyn DJ and hot sauce provocateur Queen Majesty.

Red Bull hosts its Street Fighter 6 invitational this weekend, featuring the world’s best players at the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse. The Easter Bunny comes to Kings Plaza for photos, and The Irish Haven in Sunset Park opens at 8 a.m. for pints before the big parade in Manhattan.

St. Patrick’s 5K and 10K in Veteran’s Memorial Park begins St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday with a sprint. The 49th Annual Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade kicks off at Bartel-Pritchard Square at 1 p.m. Ray’s Bar in Greenpoint and Time Out Market have their own St. Paddy’s celebration as well.

Here’s the full rundown.

Friday, March 15

New York International Children’s Film Festival
Final weekend
This year’s New York International Children’s Film Festival has put together an eclectic lineup for all ages, across all genres and styles. The only festival of its kind in the city, it’s a crucial space for fostering future cinephiles by screening a wide range of intelligent and engaging films and introducing young people to the theatrical experience at Alamo Drafthouse. 445 Albee Square West, 4th floor.

Brooklyn Film Camera’s new group exhibition, ‘Sacred Implications’
On display throughout March 31
For the first time, the Brooklyn Film Camera has curated a group show. “Sacred Implications” comprises 19 photographic artists selected to participate from over 300 submissions to their open call. The exhibit will be on display during all open hours throughout March. 855 Grand Street.

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
On display through July 7
Musical and cultural icons Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) and Alicia Keys present the first major exhibition of the Dean Collection at The Brooklyn Museum. Giants showcase a focused selection from the couple’s world-class holdings. Read our preview of the show from Scott Lynch. 200 Eastern Parkway. Tickets range from $10.47 for children up to $26.18.

Cine Gear Expo New York
Friday and Saturday
Are you a gearhead in the movie and entertainment space? Head over to Cine Gear Expo at Industry City on Friday and Saturday. Hear complimentary seminars from industry experts on topics ranging from vérité cinema to virtual production at one of the nation’s largest gatherings of production experts in the field. 220 36th Street. Registration is free.

Saturday, March 16

NYC’s Teen Arts Week at the Mark Morris Dance Center
New York teens ages 14 and up can experience arts and culture throughout Teen Arts Week, through a partnership between the 92nd Street Y and organizations across the city. On Saturday, The Mark Morris Dance Center’s Student Company hosts an arts immersion community class and showing. You can see every Teen Arts Week event on 92Y’s website. 3 Lafayette Avenue.

Red Bull Kumite
Saturday and Sunday
Red Bull Kumite, a Street Fighter 6 invitational featuring the world’s best players, is coming to Brooklyn for the first time at the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse. The World Finals is a two-day event with the world’s best players going head-to-head in a spectacle of high-stakes matches. 73 West Street.

The Irish Haven’s St. Patrick’s Weekend celebrations
8 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day (except the Scottish), and The Irish Haven is opening bright and early on Saturday for a weekend day of revelry. They’ll serve cold beer beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, where you can meet for a pint before the big parade in Manhattan. All ages (yes, actually). 5721 4th Avenue at 58th Street.

Photos with the Easter Bunny at Kings Plaza
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Easter is two weeks away and you can bring your little ones to have their picture taken with the giant bunny at Kings Plaza. Pre-booking is recommended. Visit the Bunny in Level 2, near Verizon. 5100 Kings Plaza. Photo packages range from $19.99 to $49.99.

March Kids Madness
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every Saturday through March 23
City Point Brooklyn hosts March Kids Madness all month long, and the theme this Saturday is Princess Bash. There will be an interactive storytime, sing-along, royal ball with dance lessons, temporary tattoos, and princess meet and greet with individual photos. 445 Albee Square West. Admittance to make crafts is free and the shows cost $20 per person.

Artland: Drop-in art making
12 p.m.
Take a trip to Artland: An Installation by Do Ho Suh and children at the Brooklyn Museum. During drop-in art-making hours, guests are welcome to imagine, create and contribute their own figures and structures to the installation. 200 Eastern Parkway. Free with museum admission.

Show Way The Musical
Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. & Sunday at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
The Brooklyn Academy of Music hosts this stirring historical musical — adapted from Jacqueline Woodson’s acclaimed children’s book — that pays tribute to the women in Woodson’s own family whose strength and knowledge have illuminated their daughters’ lives over seven generations. 321 Ashland Place. Tickets are $18.

Don’t Tell Seth! An evening with Seth Meyers’ writers
7:30 p.m.
“Don’t Tell Seth!” is a variety show featuring members of the writing staff of Late Night with Seth Meyers. Unshackled from the confines of network censors and what Seth thinks is appropriate for the show, these writer-performers let loose in an evening of stand-up, sketches, improv, character pieces, and more. 149 7th Street. $25.15

Sunday, March 17

St. Patrick’s 5K & 10K
9:30 a.m.
Never Stop Running Foundation host a St. Patrick’s 5K and 10K run on Sunday, rain or shine. Put some green laces in your running shoes and head over to Veterans Memorial Pier to run along the boardwalk with fantastic scenic views of the Verrazano Bridge. If you sign up early your registration comes with a St. Patrick’s run t-shirt. American Veterans Memorial Pier 11209. Registration prices vary and they increase on race day.

49th Annual Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade
Mass at 10:30 a.m. and the parade kicks-off at 1:30 p.m.
Brooklyn’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins 10:30 a.m. with Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church at 245 Prospect Park West, followed by the parade kick-off at 1:30 p.m. The celebration begins at Bartel-Pritchard Square. Come pay tribute to the many Irish immigrants who contributed to the melting pot that is Brooklyn. All ages. Prospect Park West at 15th Street.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day Celebration in Red Hook
12 p.m.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day is an annual celebration of Title IX. Join for a fun afternoon at the Red Hook Recreation Center with sports and group activities. Learn new skills at sports clinics in soccer, basketball, football, and more. 155 Bay Street. Free.

St. Patrick’s Day at Time Out Market
2 to 5 p.m.
Time Out Market New York is throwing a major St. Patrick’s Day celebration filled with live entertainment, drink specials, and delicious eats. The party kicks off March 17 at 2 p.m. with DJ DWAI, who will reveal a special promo code that guests can use for free tickets to a raffle and prize wheel. Next up will be a performance from Brooklyn Irish Dance Company, the acclaimed women-owned and led dance group. Guests can register via Eventbrite using the “DWAI Promo” option to receive 10 percent off beer buckets. 55 Water Street.

Sister Nancy, Queen Majesty & JohnnyGo Figure
3 p.m.
Bam bam! Sister Nancy, a dominating female voice for over two decades on the dancehall scene, will be at Public Records Sunday afternoon, supported by DJ (and hot sauce maven) Queen Majesty and NYC reggae mainstay JohnnyGo Figure. 233 Butler Street. $41.20.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Ray’s Bar in Greenpoint
5 p.m.
To celebrate the saint of the hour and the luck of the Irish, swing by Ray’s Greenpoint location on Sunday, March for bagpipers, shamrocks, and drummers. Drinks by Green River Whiskey, Forged Irish Stout & Proper Twelve will be flowing all night long. Exclusive merch and good vibes will round out the night in true Ray’s fashion. 905 Lorimer Street.

Shouting at the Screen with Wyatt Cenac and Donwill
8 p.m.
Comedian Wyatt Cenac and musician Donwill invite you to join them as they recreate the kind of ridiculous, loud mouthed magic that is generally found in movie theaters owned by a guy named Magic. Donwill, Wyatt and a guest will present a mystery film from the wonderful world of ’70s era Blaxploitation and Black cult cinema. The hosts will be mic’ed up providing commentary, lovingly poking fun at some of these films’ more absurd and problematic moments while also celebrating an important bygone era of Black independent cinema. 635 Sackett Street. $15-$20