1. Eat, drink and be crabby
Battle Ground’s Northwood Public House and Brewery, 1401 S.E. Rasmussen Blvd., is celebrating its five-year anniversary by coming out of its shell — or rather, by cooking up a heap of live Dungeness crab fresh from the coast, and letting diners enjoy this rosy-shelled delicacy at a Crab Feast. Enjoy your crab with New England-style clam chowder, cole slaw and garlic bread, plus one of Northwood’s microbrewed beers. The all-ages party will last from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. March 9 with live music from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m., prize drawings, a coloring contest and balloon art. 360-723-0937 or northwoodpublichouse.com
2. Irish eyes are smiling
Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver, will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at 7:30 p.m. on March 9 with a St. Paddy’s-inspired improv show, rumored to feature faux Irish accents and possibly very bad Irish dancing, all in the name of a rollicking good time. Magenta’s troupe of improvisational actors will perform sketches based on audience suggestions, perhaps with the help of an audience volunteer or two. Magenta improv shows are PG-rated and family-friendly, with refreshments available to buy in the lobby. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. 360-635-4358 or www.magentatheater.com
3. Fiddler on the stage
The Irish band St. James’s Gate — named after a Dublin landmark — presents music in the Celtic tradition, but with a modern twist. The four band members play a combination of fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass and drums, backed up with tight vocals and beguiling Gaelic harmonies. They’ll perform everything from traditional tunes to original compositions during an all-ages concert at 7:30 p.m. March 9 at the Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Tickets are $20, and doors open at 6:45 p.m. to find seats, mingle and buy refreshments in the lobby. 360-887-7260 or www.oldlibertytheater.com
4. It’s easy being green
Green is the color of spring, and while we’re not there yet, you can get a head start on this hue during Second Saturday at the Water Center: Love Your Earth — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, a free family event from 1 to 3 p.m. March 9 at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver. Explore new ways to reduce waste and treat the Earth kindly, and express your artistic side through green-themed crafts. Blue will also be part of the day’s palette, with hands-on activities about the importance of water (in honor of World Water Day, March 22). 360-487-7111 or www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter
