Well, it’s that time of the year again. A moment when everybody crowds around at the local bar, sloshes themselves with their favorite dark pint, and watches their favorite dribblers slam dunk their way into sports history. But the Big Dance isn’t the only game in town this March. The next 31 odd days will see people crawling, clubbing and various other things. So if you’re tired of seeing Duke and Carolina square off with each other on national television for the millionth time, here are a few places you can go off the beaten path:
1) The Guinness Book of World Records is holding its Luck of the Irish Pub Crawl March 13th. If you’re in Manhattan, and you want to show off your Irish pride and get wasted with thousands of fellow sots (and set a world record at the same time!) you couldn’t do any better. With multiple locations (read: bars) to patronize, getting a little Irish in your veins has never been easier. Tickets available via Pub Crawls.com.
2) If you’re a sci-fi buff or astronomy nerd, and you happen to be in the vicinity of Cornell University on the Ides of March, you’re in luck. That’s because, at 7:30 on the dot, the Le Frak Center at 77th Street will be filled to the brim with the likes of Neal DeGrasse Tyson (the Pluto guy!), former USAF officer Lester Lyles, and Robert Zubrin of the Planetary Society as they discuss what’s next for the Moon and Mars, all in memory of one of science fiction’s most influential and renowned authors—Isaac Asimov. $15 for adults, $13 for students.
3) Elvis fans, has the Grammy museum got something for you! By the grace of the King, a series of candid photos shot by Alfred Wertheimer during the late ‘50s to early ‘60s are on display through March 28 See the King smooch, read letters, and yak on the telephone in his undies. Located at the corner of Figueroa and Olympic Boulevard, in downtown L.A., this is one museum you don’t want to miss. Open weekdays 11:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
4) Racket loves skaters, and skaters love Racket. So when we found out about the California Heritage Museum’s exhibit this spring, we were stoked. That’s because right now they have an exhibit on the history of the sport. Guest curated by Nathan Pratt, the exhibit traces the history of skating from the innocent 1950s to the raucous 1990s. Featuring an array of antique (read: wood) planks, rare photographs, and much more, this is a rare glimpse into fifty some odd years of some of Dogtown’s best kept secrets.
5) Up ‘til recently, all I knew about Pomona, CA is that The Emperor went to school there. But Pomona College has an exhibit would make Andy Warhol proud. Located in Lyman Hall, the collection of photographs and paintings explores the concept of instant celebrity from Warhol’s iconic celebrity paintings to the ubiquitous text messages and camera phones of today. Attendees can join in on the fun by submitting their own photographs at Pomona’s Picasa Web Server Famous for 15. Runs through April 11.
6) Not much going on in Portland, OR on 13? Check out Atomic and DJ Nate Preston at the Fez Ballroom and Tube, respectively. If you want to start the week the weekend early, DJ Saltfeend is kickin’ it with the Low Brow Sessions at the Low Brow Lounge at 1036 NW Hoyt Street downtown.
7) All y’all Southerners out there got the short end of the microphone this month, but if you’re hanging in the ATL there are a few worthwhile events in the queue. Ben Trickey is playing The Earl later this month. Over at the aptly named Limerick Junction, the folks are holding a block party featuring some in house musicians you’ve never heard of as well as some haggis. Go figure.
8) The Washington Post isn’t exactly known for being hip. Hell, their entire reputation rests on being as un-cool as humanly possible. But sometimes the find interesting stuff, like, for instance, ShamRock Fest. The yearly event in RFK Stadium in D.C. attracts thousands, but if you’re looking for authentic Celtic food and a chance to tailgate, this is the place to go March 13. Get bombed, get happy, and make a few friends. Better than sitting at home browsing through nekkid pics of The Lord of the Dance.
–Jack Winn