Top of the mornin’ to all you Weelunkers! It’s St. Paddy’s Day weekend, and the calendar is packed with things to do — both St. Pat’s Day-related and otherwise. Let’s hope you’re not too “knackered” (exhausted) to take advantage! Sláinte!
• It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without the Victoria Jamboree’s “Luck of the Irish Show,” set for 7 p.m. Friday, March 16, at the Victoria Theatre, 1228 Market St., Wheeling. Listen to classic and contemporary songs along with Irish melodies, provided by Dave Jack, Rick Henry, Yodeling Dick and the Friendly City Band, plus an Irish leprechaun! What better way to show your Irish spirit than dressing in green and joining the crowd at the Victoria. Call 304-233-7464 or 304-242-1313.
EARL BROWN and BONNIE MONTGOMERY
• The curtain opens on “The Cripple of Inishmaan” at 8 p.m. Friday, March 16, with performances continuing March 17-18 and 23-24. The dark, Irish comedy was written by Martin McDonah, writer/director of the film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” which received 43 major nominations for the 2018 awards season, winning 20 awards including two Oscars and four Golden Globes. Two special events will be held in conjunction with the play. The Friends of Towngate are presenting two Pub Nights, following the March 16 and the March 23 performances, from about 10 p.m. to midnight. Food, beer and live Celtic music will liven things up! For tickets to the play or to the Pub Nights, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.
• It’s Third Friday on March 16, and Artworks is pleased to welcome two newcomers. Shannon Canterbury and Chris Kuskey will entertain in the Studio Gallery surrounded by artwork by the Independent Artist Group and the late Karl Jacobsen. Doors open at 7 p.m. The evening is co-sponsored by the Bridge+Tunnel Collective, and member Sean Decker says this about Shannon: “Shannon Canterbury: a name that literally sounds like an adventure through the majestic, wild frontier — is a familiar face in the Ohio Valley music scene.” He will focus on his original tunes inspired by the greats —Van Morrison, James Taylor and others. “His music is chock full of heart, humor and thought.” About Kuskey, Decker says: “Chris Kuskey is whatever Chris Kuskey decides Chris Kuskey is going to be at the particular moment in time. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who can navigate through various musical genres like a kid on a neighborhood bike adventure, Kuskey exudes a confidence typically reserved for an older veteran musician. His songs are honest and confessional, but without pretension.” www.artworksaroundtown.com
• Cheers to Good Mansion Wines! On Friday, March 16, taste Barbera and Dolcetto — Piedmont red wines at a superb value. Fruit driven, easy to understand and widely versatile with lots of foods, these two red wines offer similarities and contrasts. The wines will be served with Piedmont cheeses and French baguettes. $15 at the door, no reservations needed. Occupancy limited to 50. goodmansionwines.com
• The Wheeling Symphony presents East Meets West, a program fusing the music and culture of East and West traditions. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, at The Capitol Theatre. “A Musical Journey through Chinese and Western Music,” featuring performances and discussion by two-time Grammy-nominated violinist, Jennifer Frautschi, and pipa player, Lu-Han Li, is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Stifel Fine Arts Center. Frautschi joins the symphony Friday performing Beethoven’s “Violin Concerto.” www.wheelingsymphony.com.
• Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the OVConnect way at the St. Paddy’s Pub Run, 5-11 p.m. Friday, March 16, at Wheeling Island Casino. Event check-in starts at 5 p.m. inside the casino, and includes a t-shirt, drinks at the bars (2) and appetizers after the run. Participants can run or walk the routes, or just attend the after-party at the casino. Register at http://conta.cc/2Fl3DN
• Logan Wojcik will play a live acoustic show at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 17, for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at River City, 1400 Main St., Wheeling. Wojcik presents a mix of country, Americana, rock and roll and anything in between. And don’t miss the mechanical bull at River City on Friday and Saturday nights. www.rivercitybanquets.com
• And for some more bull riding, the Professional Bull Riders Velocity Tour will stop make a stop at WesBanco Arena. Shows are set for 8 p.m. Friday, March 16, and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 17. wesbancoarena.com/
• Find your “Kiss Me I’m Irish” T-shirt, and join the Irish and Irish at heart at the St. Patrick’s Day beer tasting, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 17, when the Stifel Fine Arts Center, is transformed into an Irish pub. Enjoy Irish-inspired foods, Irish ales, IPAs and stouts. Gallowglass will play Celtic tunes. Admission is $35 ($30 for OI members). www.oionline.com or 304-242-7700.
• You may not find any green syrup on your pancakes, but you’ll enjoy a sweet event in the woods behind Camp Russel in Oglebay when naturalists at Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Education Center lead Maple Sugaring Day. Watch maple syrup being made and learn about the tapping process, the history of maple syrup production and how to identify maple trees, as well as taste fresh maple syrup at a hot pancake breakfast. Crafts, storytelling and live bluegrass music are also part of the fun. The event takes place from 9 a.m. with the last group leaving at 12:30 p.m. Advance registration is encouraged because the annual event typically sells out. Reservations can be made at www.oionline.com or by calling 304-242-6855.
• The Eckhart House will host a Shamrock Tea Luncheon at noon Saturday, March 17. The menu includes assorted tea sandwiches, scones served with sweet cream and lemon curd, seasonal fruit, confections and gourmet tea selections. The luncheon is open to the public. For more information or to make reservations go to www.EckhartHouse.com or call 304-232-5439.
• ArtsLink presents Twin Kennedy, who will bring a combination of folk, jazz and Celtic musical genres to the Lincoln Theater. The event is st for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20. Twin Kennedy, comprised of West Coast twin sisters Carli and Julie Kennedy, have been making music together since they could talk. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under and are available at the door. For more ticket information, call 304-455-2278.
