This Weekend: Pinch Me, I'm Not Irish

— by Caroline on Crack

The idea of wedging myself into a pub with 200 drunken revelers doesn’t appeal to me but at all. On Monday, I’ll probably just toast a tumbler of Jameson to you from the safety of my living room. And this weekend of events is pretty Irish pub-free.

Friday, March 14

Pasadena ARTRide
Get some culture and some exercise by enjoying Pasadena ARTNight a la two wheels. The biannual art night bike ride welcomes riders of all skill levels. You get to cruise by the Norton Simon, Pasadena Museum of History, Pasadena Library, Pasadena Museum of California Art and the Pacific Asia Museum as well as take in the live musical performances. Make sure to bring a bike in working order, a night light and a bike lock.

  • 6-10pm. No charge for ride and museums. One Colorado Courtyard (in between Colorado, Fair Oaks, Union and DeLacey Streets), Old Pasadena (map).

Saturday, March 15

Pirate Party at Redwood
Can a pirate bar get any more, uh, pirate-y? Yes it can when you figure in the Pirates Charles Band and their pirate songs taking over the Redwood pirate bar downtown. Ferget the leprechauns. This weekend, it’s all about the pirates.

  • 9pm. Redwood Bar, 316 W. 2nd Street, Downtown (map). (213) 680-2600.

’80s Aerobics Night at the Mountain Bar
Two live bands, djs spinning all night long and a photo booth at this Chinatown hot spot. To join in the fun, they don’t want your money, they just want you to dress up like you’re going to work out in 1983. Do your best Jane Fonda or Olivia Newton-John getting physical.

  • 8pm. No cover. The Mountain Bar, 473 Gin Ling Way, Chinatown (map).

Sunday, March 16

Pay for Tap Water to Benefit UNICEF
Now that L.A.’s water has been voted the best tap water in the world you probably won’t mind paying $1 for it when you ask for it at a restaurant now, right? OK, what if it was for a good cause? From March 16-22, participating restaurants will ask diners to donate a $1 for each glass of water they order to benefit UNICEF. Every dollar raised means a child will get clean drinking water for 40 days. So get hydrated at Chaya Venice, Abode, Magnolia, Mama’s Hot Tamales Cafe and Cobras and Matadors, to name a few.

Hollywood Dreamz St. Patrick’s 5K/10K Run/Walk
Since Monday will be a big drinking day, maybe get a run in the day before? At this fun run, you get to warm up with the Laker Girls before the run and bagpipes start you off. Break out your greenest running gear in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and if you have the greenest costume you get a prize. I don’t know how green is really green but will body paint and sweat mix?

  • 8am. $30. Griffith Park by the merry-go-round, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles (map).

Ginger & Maryann’s Winter Clearance Sale
NorCal boutique Ginger & Maryann host a winter clearance sale in our neck of the woods. Enjoy 35-75% off the likes of Free People, Betsey Johnson, and Marc, along with handbags by Chloe, Tod’s, and Isabella Fiore. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served as well. Only cash and checks accepted.

  • 11am-4pm. 2009 Glyndon Avenue, Venice (map). (310) 313-2951.