Weekend Best Bets: Paintings, Parks & St. Patty’s

St. Patrick’s Day Beer Tasting – Thursday, 5pm – Remember to wear something green for this traditional feast on the holiday honoring Ireland’s patron saint! John David Bleuer will be pouring some of Fullsteam’s favorite beersSouthern Season; University Place, 201 S Estes Dr.; Free; southernseason.com

Be Loud Sophie! Benefit Concert – Thursday, Doors Open at 7pm, Show Starts at 8pm – Red Clay Ramblers spin-off “SHAM ROCKERS!” will be performing a “QUINTUPLE YOUR DONATION Challenge Benefit” for this great local nonprofit. For every $10 ticket, $50 will go to Be Loud Sophie! Cats Cradle Back Room, 300 E Main St., Carrboro; $10; 919-967-9053; catscradle.com/event

Drive-By Truckers Concert – Thursday, Doors Open at 7pm, Show Starts at 8pm – The American Southern rock band stops by Cat’s Cradle for two nights of music off their album “English Oceans.” It’s a big year for Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood, co- founding members of the Athens, Ga., band, as they celebrate two decades of critically acclaimed rock ‘n’ roll. Cats Cradle, 300 E Main St., Carrboro; $25-28; 919-967-9053; catscradle.com/event

 Author Stephanie Evanovich at Flyleaf Books – Thursday, 7pm – The New York Times best-selling author of novels like “The Sweet Spot” will discuss and sign copies of her newest book “The Total Package.” A sweet and funny read about love, redemption and second chances, the story follows the comeback of a heartthrob star quarterback, the rising career of a sports commentator and their shared past. Flyleaf Books, 752 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; Free; 919-942-7373; flyleafbooks.com

Tom Spleth: The Amalgamation Project Opening Reception – Friday, 6-9pm – This is a great solo show featuring the paintings of Tom Spleth from the Amalgamation Project, as well as paintings from his residency in 2015 at the Golden Foundation. Light Art Design; 601 W. Rosemary St., Suite 110; lightartdesign.com

The Barred Owls Concert – Friday, 7-9pm – Scott Boggs and Kate Annett-Hitchcock make up this great duo with strong instrumentals and vocal harmonies. They perform original and traditional music that creates a unique sound folk, baroque, and alternative country music. Johnny’s Gone Fishing, 901 W. Main St., Carrboro; Free; 919-932-5070; johnnysgonefishing.com

Goddard School’s 2^nd Anniversary – Saturday, 10am-12pm – Come with friends and family to celebrate the 2nd Birthday of The Goddard School of Chapel Hill. Enjoy face painting, a balloon artist, games, arts, soccer, great music and delicious food! The Goddard School, 1162 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; Free; admin.goddardschool.com 

“Flowers Will Return”: Artist Bob Hart Gallery Opening – Saturday – This new exhibit of Hart’s is a collection of spring flowers and an ode to the joy of young girls. Many of his paintings were inspired by the Pete Seeger song “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” Alexander Dickson House; free; 150 E. King St., Hillsborough; mikesarttruck.com

Milk Steaming & Latte Art – Saturday, 11am – Ever wonder if you could make your lattes at home as beautiful as they are at the coffee shop? Now’s your chance to learn! Find out the tricks to steaming milk and even try your hand and latte art! Carrboro Coffee Roasters, 101 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro; $30; 919-968-4760; carrborocoffee.com

Community Egg Hunt – Saturday, 11:30am-1:30pm – The Easter Bunny hops back to town to hide 25,000 eggs throughout Southern Community Park. Kids ages 2 to 10 can bring their own basket and track down each one during the annual event that also includes live entertainment, games and prizes. Southern Community Park 1000 Sumac Rd.; Free; townofchapelhill.org

St. Patty’s Pot of Gold Festival and Fun Run! – Saturday, 2pm-7pm – Come dressed up in your best leprechaun gear for this great race! Enjoy music, games, contests and family fun for the rest of the afternoon at Gold Park. And there will even be green Maple View Farm ice cream! River Park Festival Grounds,140 E. Margaret Ln., Hillsborough; $5-10; business.hillsboroughchamber.com

OCRCC’s The Clothesline Project – Sunday, 2-4pm – This is a great way to support those who have been affected by sexual violence. The Clothesline is a display of t-shirts that contain written messages and drawings intended to illustrate the effects of sexual violence. Anyone who feels passionate about this topic is invited to come and design a shirt – either for themselves to keep or to be put on display at OCRCC. Orange County Rape Crisis Center, 1506 E Franklin St. #302; Free; ocrcc.orc