COURTESY PHOTOSan Francisco singer-songwriter Anthony Bello presents an evening of Irish and rock music at the Brick and Mortar Music Hall on St. Patrick’s Day.

Festivities for St. Patrick’s Day are underway. Here are a few ways to celebrate.

MARCH 12

Crossroads Salon: The inaugural session of the literary group devoted to Irish-American heritage and themes features an open mic and readings from invited local authors, including Jack Drought, Linda Norton, Eddie Stack and Michelle Wallace. 7 p.m., free (donations accepted). United Irish Cultural Center, St. Francis Room, 2700 45th Ave., S.F., www.irishamericancrossroads.org

<p> MARCH 14

St. Patrick’s Day at the Park: Jameson sponsors the party, featuring music, whiskey, food truck specials, beer, swag, a DJ and, at 6 p.m., The City’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day toast. 11 a..m. to 10 p.m., free. SOMA Streat Food Park, 428 11th St., S.F. www.somastreatfoodpark.com

2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Presented by United Irish Societies, this year’s procession — the 164th in San Francisco’s history with the theme “the Irish and technology in the Bay Area” — starts downtown and ends at Civic Center Plaza. Begins at 11:30 a.m., Market and Second streets, S.F., www.uissf.org

Irish Bank St. Patrick’s Day Block Parties: Celebrate the holiday on parade day and Tuesday at two bashes featuring entertainment by The Watch, The Shams and DJ Marc Van Brant. Noon to closing, cover charge TBA. Irish Bank, 10 Mark Lane, S.F., (415) 788-7152, www.theirishbank.com

St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl: Local bars offer drink specials to tipsy participants. 4 to 10 p.m., $10 advance, Union Street and Marina area, S.F., http://pubcrawls.com

Parade Day at the Chieftain: The pub features music by Tony Becker, Ivor Collins and Damir. 1:30 p.m. to close, free. Chieftain, 198 Fifth St., S,F., (415) 615-0916, www.thechieftain.com

MARCH 15

Green Fest Irish Block Party: The United Irish Cultural Center and United Irish Societies host an event with Irish bands, dancing, food and drink, face painting and jumpy castles for the kids. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free. United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave., S.F., www.irishcentersf.org/calendar.html

Irish-American Crossroads Festival: Patrick Ball, Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter appear in “The Door Between the Worlds,” a Celtic journey of music and story. 3 p.m., $20-$22. Mission Dolores Basilica, 3321 16th St., S.F., www.irishamericancrossroads.org

MARCH 17

St. Patrick’s Day Alley Party: The annual indoor-and-outdoor afternoon bash features live DJs, Red Sauce Meatballs food truck, drink specials, a champagne bar and live music. 4 p.m., free. Taverna Aventine, 582 Washington St., S.F., (415), 981-1500, www.aventinesf.com

Official Saint Paddy's PubCrawl San Francisco: Marina bars offer drink specials to tipsy participants. 5 to 10 p.m., $10 advance, Union Street and Marina area, S.F., http://pubcrawls.com

The Shamrock Isle: A talk by Elizabeth Creely addresses the changing landscape of Ireland in 1915 and the “Shamrock Isle,” the Irish exhibit at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco the same year. 7 p.m., free. California Historical Society, 678 Mission St., S.F., www.irishamericancrossroads.org

St. Paddy's Day Spectacular: Pogues tribute band The Bogues, The Delta Wires, Anthony Bello and Joey Devine appear in concert. 8 p.m., $8-12. Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission St., S.F., www. brickandmortarmusic.com

MARCH 19

A Celtic Appalachian Celebration: The concert exploring the musical lineage connecting Ireland and Appalachia features Mick Moloney, Athena Tergis, Kirk Sutphin, Eddie Bond, Michelle Mulcahey, Joey Abarta, Niall O'Leary, Billy McComiskey and Karen Celia Heil. 8 p.m., $28-$32. Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addision St., Berkeley, www.freightandsalvage.org

MARCH 22

Women of Ireland: The show features leading Irish step dancers who have appeared in “Riverdance” and Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” as well as a special guest male dancer, four-time world champion Anthony Fallon. 7:30 p.m., $15-$45. United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave., S.F., https://sfirishcenter.vbotickets.com

MARCH 27

You don’t look Irish!: Multiracial writers of Irish heritage Dylan Amaro-McIntyre, Caroline Mar, Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu and Clare Ramsaran discuss what Irish heritage “looks like” in the 21st century. 7 p.m., free. Maraschi Room, Fromm Hall, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St., S.F., www.irishamericancrossroads.org

artseventsSt. Patrick's Day eventsUnited Irish Cultural CenterUnited Irish Societies

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