Do you like bluegrass music? Ocean City is the best place to be in the upcoming week if you’re a big fan of good ole American roots music. On Friday, February 18, visit The Shark on the Harbor in West Ocean City for the Saltwater String Band—a brilliant collaboration of talented musicians including Darin Engh (from the band Opposite Directions) on mandolin, Nate Clendenen (from the band The Electric Co.) on guitar, and Sean Loomis and Robert Mabe (from the Virginia-based band Drymill Road) on guitar and banjo, respectively. You don’t want to miss this show from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Friday night. Then, on Saturday, February 19, you can catch the Saltwater String Band again, plus a rockin’ performance by The Electric Co. at Pickles Pub.
    You don’t need to go to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. Each year, Ocean City locals come out in droves to celebrate the carnival season. Ocean City’s Parrothead Club has selected six citizens to serve on its royal court and raise funds for Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services and the PJ Aldridge Foundation. Live music and events abound as each royal court member competes to raise the most money for two worthy causes.
    In her quest for Mardi Gras queen, Kathy Denk will host a karaoke party at Whisker’s Pub in Ocean Pines at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18. On Sunday, February 20, Tammy Patrick-Cebula invites you to party like royalty during a limo scavenger hunt bar crawl. The day kicks off with a breakfast buffet at Galaxy 66 at noon. The limo will travel to several local bars and restaurants, including Smitty McGee’s and Pickles. Contact Tammy for details and cost at 410-723-6762.
    On Friday, February 25, Kathy Denk will throw another party at Coins Pub at 6:00 p.m., featuring Full Circle and The Electric Co.—two of my favorite local bands! Tuesday, March 8, will bring a Fat Tuesday party with Kathy Denk and Todd Bescak to Micky Fins for a “Nawlins” style dinner, and Tammy Patrick-Cebula and Buddy Trala will be at Galaxy 66 for a special happy hour. Finally, Buddy Trala will host an Irish Christmas Bull Roast at Micky Fins on Sunday, March 13, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more information about all of these events and more, please visit www.ocphc.com/mardigras/ <http://www.ocphc.com/mardigras/> .
    St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 12, when Ocean City will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I’m excited to see everybody celebrating the happy-go-lucky lifestyle with plenty of Irish bands and music for your sonic pleasure.
    After the locals gather on 45th Street to watch elaborate floats and local celebrities participating in the parade, Seacrets is the main meeting ground for getting irie—or Irish. DJ Batman gets the party started in the Marley Hall at noon. The Jimi Milligan Band takes over at 1:00 p.m. Expect to see plenty of kilts and Great Irish pipes as Celtic music is sure to fill the air. The Jim Long Band hits the stage at 5:00 p.m. when the after-parade crowd will still be going strong. Seacrets will wrap up the night with performances by Second Majesty and Love Seed Mama Jump. This is truly one of my top favorite days to celebrate in Ocean City. On the actual St. Patrick’s Day holiday, Thursday, March 17, DJ Wax will host “little Friday” as he does each and every Thursday night at Seacrets, all winter long.
    Here’s hoping March is in like a lion and out like a lamb. Have a wonderful time, everyone.