Shamrock Fest at RFK

Saturday, March 10
Not in the stadium, but at several small stages on the grounds, this festival presents over 40 bands, many of them local. Of note: acoustic pop with old-school instrumentation from Richmond's Carbon Leaf; local punk-funk immortal Jimi Haha and his Chicken Shack; 1980's favorites the Connells; L.A. punk-Irish band Flogging Molly; and a nighttime set from Philly's A-list spinner DJ AM. For the complete schedule, see shamrockfest.com.

I'll be wandering with a photographer, so pose and smile if you see us. We'll be posting pics and reviews here on the blog.

You can get in for $20 and the shenanigans run from noon until 10 PM. Kids 12 and under are free, but I'd think twice about dragging the tykes to the beer-fest. Knowing their audience, the Shamrock Fest people are setting up a massive viewing area for watching college basketball.

If you want to throw the long green while wearing the green, or something, you can become a "Hotshot VIP" for $100. That's a lot of clover, but since it includes all your beer for the day, it might almost be a bargain. (You must be 21+.) VIPs get access to various private areas, including DJ sets, stages and bars.

A portion of the proceeds benefits Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia (SCAN-VA). Shamrock Fest is sponsored by a slew of radio stations, beer companies, car companies, and of course On Tap Magazine.