We got your weekend: Paddy’s, pasta, pumps and more

Wednesday/ If the shoe fits: It’s not technically the weekend, but…Festigals, a charitable organization that unites women of various backgrounds for a festive and empowering weekend in New Orleans, hosts their 2014 kick-off party from 1:30 – 3 PM at the Carousel Bar, in the Hotel Monteleone. Don your favorite stilettos or pumps — as their will be a shoe contest for which the winner will receive a $250 accessories styling consultation with feet first — and learn about Festigal’s upcoming season and sip on their complimentary signature cocktail. Free and open to the public. Register here.

400 punds of spaghetti and meatballs at the IAMC’s St. Joseph’s pre-parade pasta party, last year.

Friday / Carbo-load : Italian or not, everyone loves a good bowl of pasta…especially one that weighs in at 400 pounds. The Italian American Marching Club hosts their annual St. Joseph’s Day pre-parade pasta party at the Hilton Riverside (2 Poydras) starting at noon. The event will feature guest of honor, a mountain of pasta con sardi (bucatini with sardines, fennel, pine nuts, raisins and bread crumbs); the Grand Marshall, Queen, and Caesar; music; and wine. The event is free and open to the public. Stretchy pants recommended but not required.

The IAMC St. Joseph’s parade will start at 6 PM Saturday at Canal and Chartres.

The Hot Club of New Orleans

Friday / A breath of fresh air : Returning, just in time for our spring weather spell (knock on wood), is The Historic New Orleans Collections‘s outdoor music series, Concerts in the Courtyard. This week, enjoy the sounds of the Hot Club of New Orleans, a band that takes swing-era music and retains a classical groove, melding it with modern sensibilities. 6 – 8 PM (doors open at 5:30). Free for THNOC members / $10 for non-members — includes three complimentary beverages ( beer from NOLA brewing and white wine).

Friday / Shane’s shout out: Tank and the Bangas at Gasa Gasa, 9:00 PM, $10

Tank and the Bangas have been building steady buzz since forming a few years ago, but their recent run of exceptional shows has them poised to explode on the national scene. With an undeniable mix of soulful vocals, rock and funk grooves, a dash of spoken word, and some serious raw power, this crew is sure to set the intimate space of Gasa Gasa sky high. If you can’t catch the Friday show, the band also plays Saturday night at Tip’s, opening for Brass-a-holics.

The Irish House will feature Irish dancing as part of their multi-day St. Patrick’s celebration.

Thursday – Monday / Don’t drink green beer : Or do, whatever. With no shortage of St. Paddy’s block parties this weekend — from the likes of Tracey’s, Molly’s at the Market, Finn McCool’s, Markey’s, to name just a few — The Irish House offers the most extensive programming, with festivities that began last Saturday. Highlights from their St. Patrick’s marathon include a traditional sea shanty at 7:30 PM Thursday, Irish games and dancing and bag pipes at 11 AM and 5 PM Saturday, a family-friendly cupcake war competition at 3 PM Sunday, and a 5-flight whiskey and small bites tasting ($25) 6 PM Monday. The activities and entertainment are free and open to the public.

Sunday / You know you’ve said it before: “I can’t make it to ____; I already have plans” (other plans (noun) : Code for “I will be watching the [name of favorite TV show] premiere, with my phone off the hook and a ‘do not disturb’ sign firmly secured to my front door”).

This Sunday your ominous plans don’t just have to involve you and a box of pizza; WYES hosts a screening for the season 2 premiere of Mr. Selfridge, PBS’s British period drama series about Harry Gordon Selfridge and his London department store, Selfridge & Co., in the W French Quarter courtyard, from 7 – 9 PM. Sobou will be offering a special cocktail, the Love Rose Punch (named after Mr. Selfridge’s wife and daughter, both named Rose) — hibiscus, rosewater, and fizzy lemonade spiked with English Gin or American Vodka — $9, or complimentary for first 20 guests. Free and open to the public, but reservations are required (call 504-840-4886).

If you can’t make it to the screening (read: too lazy to get off that couch) you can catch the premiere at 8 PM on WYES Channel 12.

Chelsea Lee is associate editor at NolaVie. Email comments to her at chelsea@nolavie.com.