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9 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (March 17-19)

By CityBeat Staff

May the St. Patrick's Day festivities ensue and a pinch of green infiltrate every event you choose. Sláinte. Watch March Madness games at Fountain Square, learn about space and its infinite mysteries, find out the best brew to wash down Girl Scout cookies or adopt a pup at Washington Park this weekend around Cincinnati, and more.

If you're looking for even more to do every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to CityBeat readers.

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Photo: Patrick Fore, Unsplash

Greater Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Day Events

All weekend
St. Patrick's Day revelry is upon us, and the Queen City is fully prepared to celebrate. With kid-friendly parades, live music, plenty of kegs and eggs served up bright and early, Irish dancing lessons, dog-friendly celebrations, drink specials and more, there is a little something for everyone. Expect just about anywhere to partake in Paddy’s Day festivities and themes. Browse CityBeat’s recommendations for green fun this weekend here.

Photo: Jason Leung

March Madness on the Square

11 a.m.-8 p.m. March 17; times on March 18 and 19 TBD
CBS Sports predicts Houston, Alabama, UConn and Purdue as the March Madness Final Four this season, with Alabama taking it all in this weekend’s NCAA tournament. Take a note from the experts when filling out your bracket, or wing it. Cross your fingers, grab a refreshment at the Fountain Square Fountain Bar and watch the biggest games on the Fifth Third LED board. The watch party will include a warming tent, basketball hoops, green beer for St. Patrick’s Day fun and games. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. March 17; times on March 18 and 19 TBD. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown, myfountainsquare.com/series/march-madness-on-the-square.

Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Vanessa Carlton at Ludlow Garage

8:30 p.m. March 17
Do we even have to say it or is that famed piano solo already sounding in your head? “Making my way downtown, walking fast, faces pass and I’m homebound,” do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do. Vanessa Carlton’s Future Pain tour hits Cincinnati on Friday. Remember the early 2000s when A Thousand Miles ruled radio waves? Experience Carlton live with hits possibly played from her latest album Love is an Art and hopefully that tuneful classic. Tickets start at $30. 8:30 p.m. March 17, Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.

Photo: brianpdx/Flickr

Beer and Girl Scout Cookie Pairing at Dead Low Brewing

1-3 p.m. March 18
Any day now, the shameful amount of Girl Scout cookie boxes you ordered will be showing up at your door. If you’re in need of something stronger than milk to accompany them, Dead Low’s head brewer has curated perfect brew pairings to dunk or refresh the palate after eating those delicious treats. For $20, receive a flight of four beers, four cookies and a tasting sheet to explore flavor combinations between cookies and beer. 1-3 p.m. March 18. Dead Low Brewing, 5959 Kellogg Ave, deadlowbrewing.com.

Photo: Gilles Dufresne, Flickr Creative Commons

Taylor Swift Tay Tay Party at the Thompson House

7 p.m. March 18
June can’t come soon enough. While greater Cincinnati anxiously awaits Taylor’s arrival, get a Swift fix at this Taylor-themed event. The event features a two-hour dance party conducted by a Swift-y DJ and raffles of Taylor merchandise and selected autographed items as well. Tickets are $10-20. 7 p.m. March 18. Thompson House 24 E. Third St. Newport, Kentucky, ticketweb.com.

Photo: David Vilches via Unsplash

Unicorn World at Duke Energy Convention Center

9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. March 18 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. March 19
Think of all the glitter and whimsical moments to be had at an event that immerses you into the world of unicorn magic. This is a two-day event created for children, families and Unicorn enthusiasts who can meet animatronic unicorns and explore an enchanted forest. Unicorn World offers Unicorn-themed arts and crafts and other activities including photo opps, a bounce house, dance parties, face painting and more. Tickets start at $39. March 18 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. & March 19 from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St. Downtown. duke-energycenter.com.

Photo: Courtesy of The Lounge

Unforgettable: The Golden Age of the Great American Songbook

7:30-9 p.m. March 18
The Liberty Exhibition Hall will host the Queen City Cabaret and the Cincinnati Song Initiative to celebrate the most enduring tunes of the ’30s-’60s. Timeless American hits from the mid-20th century, performed live by QCC's own Sarah Folsom and Matthew Umphreys with vocalist Mandy Gaines and pianist Steve Schmidt. The event promises a collection of vintage popular music and jazz favorites that are beloved by multiple generations in Cincinnati’s historic Liberty Exhibition Hall. Tickets are $35. 7:30-9 p.m. March 18. Liberty Exhibition Hall, 3938 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, eventbrite.com.

Photo: Brittany Thornton

1,000 Facts About Space: Book Signing and Sale

2-3 p.m. March 19
According to 1000 Facts About Space, “One of Saturn’s moons is so hollow it would float in water. That the largest known star is 3.69 billion times bigger than our sun and Jupiter likely has diamonds floating in its clouds.” Author and Cincinnati Observatory astronomer Dean Regas will share dazzling facts about space and sign copies of the book. Exoplanets, comets, asteroids, galaxies: who wouldn’t be interested in the infinite and expansive matter of space? The event, which also includes a tour of the Observatory, is free, but registration is suggested. 2-3 p.m. March 19. The Cincinnati Observatory, 489 Observatory Pl., Hyde Park, cincinnatiobservatory.org.

Photo: facebook.com/WashingtonParkOTR

Mutt Madness at Washington Park

11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 19
On-site dog adoption alert: Hosted by Cincinnati Animal CARE and the League for Animal Welfare at Washington Park. Nearly 40 dogs will be available for adoption or fostering, seeking a “furever” home. All dogs are welcome. Local, dog-centric vendors will be selling pet accessories along with treats and portrait opportunities. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. March 19, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.