7 things to do in Annapolis: Green Beer Races extend St. Patrick’s celebration

Annapolis takes its second bite of the shamrock this weekend with more events tied to Irish culture and St. Patrick’s Day.

One of the goofiest is the Eastport Democratic Club’s Green Beer Races.

Competitors run relay races with cups of green beer. Green Kool-Aid races are set up for kids at the event, which includes a costumed pet parade, food and other good times.

Dublin 5, the Annapolis Irish rock band, will provide the music. The band features vocalist Ray Murphy, along with fiddler Jennifer Belle, percussionists Jim Martin and Kevin Shook and bassist Gary Hewitt.

A $10 donation is recommended, and proceeds benefit the Eastport Volunteer Fire Co. and the Anne Arundel Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Full disclosure, I’m a club member and will be selling tickets Saturday.

Here are other great things to do in the coming week.

Witches ride

7:30 p.m. Friday

German fairy tales are part of American culture: “Snow White,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Rumplestiltskin.” Only one has a famous opera, Engelbert Humperdinck’s 19th-century “Hansel and Gretel.”

The Annapolis Opera Co. is offering two versions in its spring production at Maryland Hall. Friday’s premiere is intended for adult audiences — two hours and 15 minutes of German is an experience. It repeats at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The cast features Elizabeth Sarian as Hansel, Amia Langer as Gretel and Chelsea Laggan as the witch.

A shorter version for families takes the stage at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Admission to the full performance starts at $60, plus taxes and fees. The family shows are $17.

Country twang

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Grandsons, a D.C. band sometimes described as country in a blender, pays tribute to the wit of songwriter Roger Miller.

Jeff Muller will join the band at 49 West Coffeehouse, along with others. It’s a small room, so reservations are recommended.

Admission is $20.

Up the Irish, again

Noon Saturday

Although Rams Head on Stage is the best-known performance venue in Annapolis, the family-owned company also operates five bars and restaurants.

Four of them will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend with a day of live local music, as well as food and drink specials.

Nate & Jim, Loose Ties and the All You Need Band will be under the tent at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis.

Bill Hruz, Black & Tan and Pretty Big Deal will play under one at Rams Head Dockside in Glen Burnie.

The tent at Rams Head Roadhouse will feature Aaron Hawkins, the Matt Edmonds Band and Fess Up.

On Kent Island, GuavaJelly, Juice and the Livengood Project will play at Rams Head Shore House.

The fifth location, Rams Head Southernmost, is in Key West, Florida. No need for a special day to party there.

Counting birds

8-10:30 a.m. Sunday

Almost 190 bird species have been spotted at Quiet Waters Park, a 340-acre green space on the South River.

Jim Collatz, a prominent naturalist and member of the Anne Arundel Bird Club, will lead his monthly bird walk along paved paths through habitat that includes mature deciduous forests, wood edges, mowed fields, wetlands and a native plant garden.

The entrance fee is waived for people participating in the walk.

A last curragh!

10 a.m. Tuesday

The Irish Restaurant Group operates three restaurants and pubs: Galway Bay in Annapolis, Killarney House in Davidsonville and Brian Boru in Severna Park.

All three have celebrated the last two weeks with a mix of Irish dance, music, food and drink.

St. Patrick’s Day is Tuesday, and that means these three locations are offering a final opportunity to get on board this decidedly American celebration of an Irish saint.

The music starts at 10 a.m. in Severna Park with the trad band Finbar’s Flight, and at 11 p.m. when Chris Baldwin wraps up his set.

Other groups performing inside and under a tent include The Corkers, the O’McPub Band, Brandon Kennedy, Ciarán Quinn, Jim Matteo and Sean Suttell.

If you go, ask if they’ll play “The Curragh of Kildare.”

New exhibit

11 a.m. Wednesday

“Mélange II,” the second of two spring exhibits of regional artists, opens at the Maryland Federation of Arts Circle Gallery.

Thirteen artists’ work will be on display through March 29, with a reception set for 4-6 p.m. March 21. The gallery is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is free.