St. Patrick's week activities

Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade Kickoff Luncheon: In celebration of the following week's grand parade, organizers and fans get together for a silent auction, cocktails and lunch, followed by an awards ceremony toasting Parade Grand Marshal Wayne Godsey and others. Fri., March 11, 11 a.m., $20, 816-931-7373. Muehlebach Hotel, 200 W. 12th St..

Kansas City Clay Guild's Pot O' Gold Celebration: Bring your dancing shoes, an empty stomach, and $20 ... We will send you home with a jig in your head, a full tummy, and a tumbler or pot (of gold) as a commemorative gift for this fyne occasion. There'll be door prizes, a couple lucky laddies or lassies will be leaving with special one of a kind artworks. Sat., March 12, 6-10 p.m., $20, Clay Guild, 200 W. 74th St. 816-363-1373, www.kcclayguild.org.

Prelude to St. Patrick's Day Singles Fund-Raising Dance: Silent auction and music presented by Rock Island; all proceeds benefit tsunami relief. Sat., March 12, 7:30-11:30 p.m. ,$10, www.firstumcbs.org/singles, 816-229-8108. Palmer Center, 218 North Pleasant St., Independence.

Shawnee St. Patrick's Day Parade: Shawnee's Irish-American Club organizes the parade, which begins at Monrovia and Johnson Drive and travels east to Barton. More than 80 entries are expected. Sun., March 13, 1 p.m., www.irishamericanclub.net.

Amazing Duck Race: Following the Shawnee St. Patrick's Parade, a rubber-duckie race takes place in the streamway from 61st St. and Nieman Road to the Old Post Office. Donations buy entries to the race, which put duck sponsors in the running for airfare to Europe or $1,500 cash, plus 12 runner-up prizes. Sun., March 13, 4:30 p.m., $5, 913-962-2195, home.everestkc.net/im4ku/.

Hoolie Hoops and St. Pat's Cheer for the Children: Following the downtown parade, the NAIA Tournament features a session of Irish music and great NAIA basketball action. Tickets include a pass to any session of the NAIA four-day tournament. Tickets are available through the Irish Crystal Company, Browne's Market & Deli, Sheehan's Irish Imports, Kelly's Westport Inn and the Parade Committee. Thu., March 17, 12-2 p.m., $8, Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., 816-513-5000, 816-931-7373, www.kcirish parade.com.

Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade: Approximately 150 entries with 3,000 marchers participate in the year's biggest parade, the theme for which is "Show-Me You're Irish." The new shorter and more open route begins at Union Station (Pershing and Main), continues east to Grand, then north to 15th St. Thu., March 17, 10 a.m. Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., 816-460-2020, www.unionstation.org.

Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade: Annual parade featuring a wide array of floats as the St. Patrick's Day Queen and her court travel north on Massachusetts from 11th St.. Thu., March 17, 1 p.m., 785-749-6677.

The Pitch and Bulldog St. Patrick's Day Party: Food and drinks from the Bulldog, including wine and champagne from Marquee Wine and music from the Grand Marquis. Thu., March 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Bulldog, 1715 Main, 816-421-4799.

Music
Abe and Jake's Landing: 8 E. 6th St., Lawrence, 785-312-7116. DJ, drink specials, Thu., March 17.

B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ: 1205 E. 85th St., 816-822-7427. John Paul's Flying Circus, Thu., March 17.

Balanca's: 1809 Grand, 816-474-6369. Shannon and the Rhythm Kings, followed by DJ Automatic Westy, Thu., March 17; St. Patrick's Day with Shannon and the Rhythm Kings, Thu., March 17, 6 a.m.

Bar Natasha: 1911 Main, 816-472-5300. St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Thu., March 17; Happy Hour all day, with complimentary Irish stew, Thu., March 17, 11 a.m.

Barley's Brewhaus: 9083 Metcalf, Overland Park, 913-642-4450. St. Patty's Day Party with food and drink specials, Thu., March 17.

Beaumont Club: 4050 Pennsylvania, 816-561-2668. St. Patrick's Day Party with Billy Currington, Thu., March 17.

Blarney Stone: 3801 Broadway, 816-753-4949. Food and drink specials, Thu., March 17; St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Thu., March 17, 9 a.m.

The Bottleneck: 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence, 785-841-5483. Big Metal Rooster, cheap pints, Thu., March 17, $3; St. Patrick's Day Celebration with Big Metal Rooster, Thu., March 17, 9 p.m.

The Brick: 1727 McGee, 816-421-1634. Brunch with corned beef and cabbage, Thu., March 17, 10 a.m.

Bulldog: 1715 Main, 816-421-4799. Grand Marquis, party at 17th and Walnut, Thu., March 17.

Buzzard Beach: 4110 Pennsylvania, 816-753-4455. St. Patty's Day Party with drink specials, Thu., March 17.

The Cashew: 2000 Grand, 816-221-5858. St. Patricks Day Party, Thu., March 17, 8-1:30 a.m.

Charlie Hooper's: 12 W. 63rd St. Patrick's Day Party, Thu., March 17.

The Cup and Saucer: 412-B Delaware, 816-474-7375. St. Pat's with Eugene Chadbourne, the Malachy Papers, Thu., March 17.

Dark Horse: 4112 Pennsylvania, 816-931-3663. Breakfast pizza, Bloody Mary special, Thu., March 17, 6-3 a.m.

Davey's Uptown Ramblers Club: 3402 Main, 816-753-1909. The Kelihans, Kasey Rauch, Thu., March 17, noon.

Del Rio: 2934 Southwest Blvd., 816-960-7072. Del Rio's St. Patrick's Day Party, Drinks dance with DJ Rizo, Thu., March 17, 7 p.m., free.

El Caribe Cafe & Bar: 12112 W. 87th St., Lenexa, 913-599-2270. Drink specials, karaoke, Thu., March 17, 7 a.m.; St. Patrick's Day Party, Thu., March 17, 5 p.m.

Filling Station: 11515 Hickman Mills Dr., Grandview, 816-767-9999. St. Patty's Day Party with DJ, drink specials and Irish food, Thu., March 17.

Forster's Bar and Grill: 920 E. Hwy. 56, Olathe, 913-764-8500. Green beer, corned beef and cabbage and karaoke, Thu., March 17.

Gator's VIII Bar and Grill: 6712 N.W. Tower Dr., Platte Woods, 816-746-8888. St. Patty's Day Party with karaoke, green beer and corned beef and cabbage, Thu., March 17.