Laini’s List of 9 Things To Do in the Lehigh Valley This Weekend – March 11, 12 & 13

1. Parade of the Shamrocks

Saturday starting at 2:30, Downtown Bethlehem

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style with this Celtic Fest sponsored parade. From their website: “You may call it St. Patrick’s Day; we call it Half Way to the Celtic Classic. Either way, get on your green and celebrate with your friends at the Celtic Classic! This is the Inaugural Celtic Classic Parade of Shamrocks in Downtown Bethlehem with floats, pipe bands, and many more surprises. This spectacular event culminates with a 5-hour concert extravaganza.” For more St. Patrick’s Day festivity ideas, see Carrie Havranek’s “Five Cool Places to Be Irish” post.

2. Particle Theatre Company presents The Beauty Queen of Leenane

Friday and Saturday at 7 pm, The Fox Environmental Center at Illick’s Mill, 130 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem

From the facebook event page: Giving in to who you are can be horrifying, but that self-discovery is the crux of Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Particle Theatre Company’s exploration of family life in downtrodden western Ireland’s Leenane offers us a reflection of ourselves in the lives and conflicts of Beauty Queen’s four characters. It is dark matter indeed, in both its artifice and its reflection, though perhaps its saving grace is humor. We can still laugh at ourselves. Can we not?

3. Easton Flood Day Happy Hour

Friday starting at 5 pm, Larry Holmes’ Ringside, 91 Larry Holmes Drive, Easton

So the river is rising and has passed flood stage. The tourists have already descended, too. It’s pretty amazing the number of people who come downtown to watch a flood. So if you find yourself doing this, do it RIGHT! Go out to eat afterwards, have a drink, walk around and check the place out. Do something to help this little town. Spend some $! Stop by Ringside for the best view in town. Happy Hour specials are $1 drafts and $1 off mixed drinks. Hope to see you there! Also, check out my facebook wall for lots of Flood Day specials at local Easton businesses.

4. Great White Caps & Quisqueya “Where the Hell is Spring?” Night

Saturday from 10 pm to 1:30 am, The Funhouse, 5 E. 4th Street, Bethlehem

This event is on the list because it’s probably my favorite time of year to go to the Funhouse. And I’m asking myself the same question. From the facebook event page: “Great White Caps are back in 2011, finishing up a full length studio debut and introducing our new guitar player “Warchild” and sharing the evening with our friends Quisqueya. Join us while we clash bass/drum jams and imrov sessions with all-out surf rock and bright colored clothing, praying to the surf gods that spring is almost here!”

5. Brosky and Meyers

Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30 pm, Louie’s, SW 31st Street, Between Lehigh and Emmaus Ave., Allentown

This is one of the Valley’s most talented duos. Call ahead for seating. There’s also half-price appetizers, $5 martinis and $2 Louie Lager after 9.

6. The Soloist

Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 3 pm, Allentown Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th Street, Allentown

This showcase concert features solo performances by members of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto, and works by Sibelius, Stravinsky and Douglas Ovens, plus the 2010 Schadt Competition Winner, Jacqueline Choi, performing Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33.

7. Lehigh Valley Bridal Show

Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 am, Stabler Arena, Lehigh University Campus, Bethlehem

This one’s for all my friends who are about to get married! From their website: Welcome to the most elegant and dynamic bridal show in the area. You’ll see more valuable wedding ideas and opportunities under one roof than ever imagined, including over $35,000 in prize giveaways! Come and see the Lehigh Valley’s most creative and talented wedding professionals. Delight in all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that will help create a sensational wedding day. If you’re just starting with wedding details or looking for last minute ideas, don’t waste time anywhere else. This is where you have to be, and remember- it’s free!

8. The Split Estate Showing

Saturday at 7 pm with a reception at 6 pm, Grand Eastonian Suites Hotel, The Gold Room, 140 Northampton Street, Easton

This event is a great way to get informed about this important issue. From the website: “This compelling Emmy Award winning documentary shows the dirty side of hydraulic fracturing and natural gas, an energy source the industry touts as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.”

9. Hope for Allentown II – Benefit Concert with Tori Thomas

Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, Florence Italian Grille, 238 Sycamore Drive, Breinigsville

This is the second in a series of 6 benefit concerts for the victims of the gas explosion at 13th and Allen Streets in Allentown. Eight bands, lots of raffle prizes, $10 at the door, all for a great cause.